How to be a better man in 2006

David Syrek
Chicago Tribune

In 2006, resolve to become a cut above the average: better-groomed, better-dressed and a little bit cooler. Here’s how:

MAKE A BETTER IMPRESSION
To polish your image, start at the bottom and work your way up:

1. Put your best foot forward.
Alternate between two good pairs of shoes. Even guys who are nicely pulled together too often wear scuffed, worn-out shoes, buying one pair and trashing them before replacing them.

Also, have two pairs of sneakers so you can keep the stinky gym shoes for the gym. These days, everyone from Adidas to Gucci is designing hip sneakers. If you pair sneakers with a suit, dress it down. Leave the tie at home and wear it with a T-shirt.

Never underestimate the value of a well-shined shoe. When you fly, make it a habit to get a shoeshine at the airport, one of the cheapest places to get buffed.

2. Be prepared.
Keep a freshly laundered dress shirt at work. You never know when an unexpected after-work invitation will come up. You will show up looking crisp and feeling fresh after a long day at the office.

3. Update your glasses.
Like dress shoes, most men buy one pair of glasses and wear them out. Five years with the same pair is too much. Buy two different frames: a clean, minimal pair for a sophisticated, urbane look, and this season’s hot trend: bold and dark. Think Clark Kent. Alternate on weekends to shake things up and change your attitude


FEEL BETTER ABOUT YOUR LOOKS
Your body is your best accessory. When you feel good about yourself, you project confidence. It really shows. Men may think women are compulsive groomers, but take a cue from the fairer and, frankly, better-smelling sex: Get cleaned up.

1. Develop a grooming routine.
You’re a busy guy, so save time and energy by having a set schedule for maintenance.
For example, think of the first Saturday of each month as a tune-up day. Maybe schedule a haircut, and if your barber offers it, a hot shave. You work; you deserve it.

Invest in a quality razor. Dragging a cheap piece of plastic and steel across your skin doesn’t cut it — well, actually it might.

2. Have presentable toes/feet.
Even if you are the only one looking at your feet, clean them up. It may not be flip-flop season, but at some point you will likely be taking your socks off. Fixing bad toenails is easy; talk to your doctor. If you’re nervous about the P-word, get over it — get a pedicure.

3. Exercise.
Invest in a personal trainer. After six months of assisted workouts, the results show. Once you see the change, it’s much easier to be on your own and build on that foundation.

Join an organized team. It costs less than a personal trainer, and the guilt of letting the team down gets you to the game.

Volunteer to walk your neighbor’s dog. A few miles with Chumley every other day and you’ll feel a difference.


STRESS LESS
It’s much easier to be a better man when you have less stress.

1. Simplify your life.
Stop writing checks and pay bills online. It’s fast, easy and helps avoid overdrafts.

2. Get rid of the clutter.
Our lives are jam-packed as it is. If you don’t want to start with a therapist, start with the small stuff. Streamline your space. Take all of the “junk drawers” in your house (the ones that are full of mystery keys, scraps of paper and novelty bottle openers), spread out a bedsheet and dump out all the drawers. Edit heavily, throwing away 75 percent of the contents. Put drawers back; don’t think twice about it.

3. Tune out.
Chill out on the evening news. It’s a bundle of stress packed with manufactured drama. Get informed by reading.

4. Stage a mini-refresher.
Stay overnight at a hotel in your own town. Pack an overnight bag and get away. Cheaper than a two-week vacation and you’ll feel refreshed.

Now that you’re happier, make your partner happy.

1. Cook.
Learn how to make one of life’s simple pleasures, an omelet. Serving your love a nice breakfast will win you bonus points.

Black truffle and Gruyere omelet: Using a fork, lightly beat 3 large eggs in a bowl. Mix in 1 tablespoon cold water, 2 generous pinches of salt and ground black pepper to taste.

Place a 10-inch nonstick pan with sloped sides over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon unsalted butter, allowing it to get hot. Tilt the pan to coat with butter.

Pour in the eggs. After 10-15 seconds, gently stir the mixture in small circular motions, drawing large curds of cooked egg toward the center and allowing the uncooked egg to run out onto the hot pan. Briefly stir again, then leave untouched, cooking an additional minute.

Place 2 teaspoons drained, paper-thin slices of black truffles in olive oil (available at specialty stores and whole foods markets) and 2 tablespoon grated Gruyere cheese on half of the omelet. Run a spatula around the eggs to release them from the sides of the pan. Fold one half of the eggs onto the other half. Serve immediately.

2. Have a standing date night.
It’s easy to get in a rut and stay in all the time. Get out of the house, even if it’s for a neighborhood walk. If you have kids and finding a sitter is a problem, make a deal with other couples: Alternate one night a week to watch each other’s kids and create a free night to get out.

3. Give compliments And do it every day.


MAKE BETTER CONVERSATION
Be an expert at something other than fantasy football.

Have a secret talent: Learn how to read a restaurant wine list and know the difference between a syrah and a petite sirah. Are pinot gris and pinot grigio the same thing? Try winespectator.com for some answers.

For every blockbuster movie you see, go to a foreign film. Start with classics like Kurosawa’s “The Seven Samurai,” Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita” or fast-forward to Francois Ozon’s “Swimming Pool.”


3 THINGS ...
A man should always have in his refrigerator:
1. A bottle of champagne
2. Butter
3. Eggs


5 CDs ...
Every guy should own
1. Chet Baker: “It Could Happen To You”
2. Al Green: “Greatest Hits”
3. Rolling Stones: “Sticky Fingers”
4. Air: “Premiers Symptomes”
5. Kraftwerk: “Trans-Europe Express”


3 BOOKS ...
Every man should read
1. “The Catcher in the Rye”
2. “The Ox-Bow Incident”
3. “Blink”