The LOOK!

I’m treading on shaky ground with my wife. There’s a party for one of her friends this weekend and I’ve been warned in no uncertain terms to be friendly to the friend’s husband.

“Don’t give him the look,” she says.

I chuckle and plead ignorance, but I know what she’s talking about. Those of you who know me well probably have trouble picturing me being mean to anyone. At the height of my boxing prowess, when I was knocking out other amateur heavyweights, a female friend told me that I looked like a big skinny teddy bear. The years have taken care of the skinny part…, but something of the teddy bear image remains. Even my friend Louie, who has known me since the college days, says that he can’t quite picture me mad.

Still, there are times, when the teddy bear turns into a little bit of a grizzly bear. This is when the look comes into play. What is the Look? It’s something that goes back to the primitive side of male machismo, common in the streets and assorted correctional facilities of our community. It’s simple in action, just a direct, narrow stare that you hold for longer than normal. If done correctly, it signals to the other guy that he’s in danger of physical harm if he keeps…say…eating all the nachos. If done incorrectly, it might result in an unwanted date..

I find that the look is an old bear’s way of dealing with problems. Where before I might have had to take some action, now I find that just a general warning is enough. Especially if you are dealing with a guy much smaller than you! I gave the friend’s husband a warning with a look when he tried to take the seat next to my wife. In younger days, I might have thrown him out of the seat.

At least that’s what I tell my wife when I defend my behavior: “Hey, at least, I saved the guy some hospital bills!” My wife just rolls her eyes and looks at me.

Now that’s an intimidating Look!