Diamond Online published an article calling out the “old-guy discrimination” behind the idea that “shorts are gross,” and it sparked a heated discussion on 5ch’s News Speed+ board. The thread saw defenders comparing shorts to Showa-era “steteko” long johns, pushback from younger users, and even comparisons to women’s miniskirts — turning what looked like a simple generational spat into something messier.
“Shorts Are Gross”: The Blatant “Old-Guy Discrimination” Nobody Calls Out ⟨A Bug in Society⟩ | Diamond Online
Tokushige Ryūtoku: Writer, editor, entertainment critic
Society News Triptych
Source: diamond.jp / Original article here
I just want to cool off in a tank top and steteko (baggy Showa-era long johns) like some old geezer.
>>2
Exactly, “old-guy shorts” means steteko. Like the balding middle-aged guys from 1950s-60s comedy acts — think Ueki Hitoshi and Katō Cha.
Exactly, “old-guy shorts” means steteko. Like the balding middle-aged guys from 1950s-60s comedy acts — think Ueki Hitoshi and Katō Cha.
I think they're gross too, and I've never worn a pair because of it lol
>>4
I wear jersey shorts at home, but committing the atrocity of wearing them outside? Can't do it.
I wear jersey shorts at home, but committing the atrocity of wearing them outside? Can't do it.
This is karma for all the years you people trashed kids for dyeing their hair brown.
Get bullied all you want.
You're gross, old man. And you stink.
Get bullied all you want.
You're gross, old man. And you stink.
>>6
Being against dyed brown hair these days is grandpa talk. Today's "old guys" were the ones who got criticized for it back then.
Being against dyed brown hair these days is grandpa talk. Today's "old guys" were the ones who got criticized for it back then.
>>6
The "old guy" generation is the one who actually dyed their hair brown when they were young lol
Same with those toothpick-sucking threads — that's an old-man habit, but people keep pinning it on "middle-aged guys." Have you not lived in Japan for years or something? lol
The "old guy" generation is the one who actually dyed their hair brown when they were young lol
Same with those toothpick-sucking threads — that's an old-man habit, but people keep pinning it on "middle-aged guys." Have you not lived in Japan for years or something? lol
>>6
Good luck living your whole life without ever becoming an old guy yourself.
Good luck living your whole life without ever becoming an old guy yourself.
What about grannies in miniskirts?
>>11
Same thing, that's exactly why it gets criticized.
Nobody wants to see it.
Nobody's happy having some old person's fetish put on display either.
Same thing, that's exactly why it gets criticized.
Nobody wants to see it.
Nobody's happy having some old person's fetish put on display either.
>>11
If sharp-tongued Peco (a famous TV fashion critic known for blunt style takedowns) were still doing his fashion checks, they'd have gotten torn to shreds. But these days…
If sharp-tongued Peco (a famous TV fashion critic known for blunt style takedowns) were still doing his fashion checks, they'd have gotten torn to shreds. But these days…
The generation getting called "gross old guys" now is the same one that used to rate women, size them up, and sexually harass them — isn't this just payback?
There's also some mockery mixed in from younger people's ignorance.
Funny thing is, they'll all get old too and become old men, old women, grandpas, grandmas.
There's also some mockery mixed in from younger people's ignorance.
Funny thing is, they'll all get old too and become old men, old women, grandpas, grandmas.
>>15
But they're not old men, old women, grandpas or grandmas yet. Everyone's done this at some point.
But they're not old men, old women, grandpas or grandmas yet. Everyone's done this at some point.
Calling someone "small-minded" is quietly discriminatory too, you know.
>>31
Can't be helped — both men and women expect men to have a big heart. If you think your own is too small, work on it.
Can't be helped — both men and women expect men to have a big heart. If you think your own is too small, work on it.
>>34
We smile on the outside and cry on the inside, man.
Still, feels like way fewer people say it straight to your face these days.
We smile on the outside and cry on the inside, man.
Still, feels like way fewer people say it straight to your face these days.
(´・ω・`) Guess there's nothing left to do but walk around stark naked.
>>36
They'll just say "a chubby naked guy has appeared" instead (´・ω・`)
They'll just say "a chubby naked guy has appeared" instead (´・ω・`)
Who cares, honestly. I'm not wearing them for your sake — I wear them because they're comfortable. Got a problem? Call the cops, jackass.
They really are gross though, so what can you do?
Let's start saying the same thing about women too.
Let's start saying the same thing about women too.
It's not even about "gross" — among developed countries, pretty much only Americans have grown men wearing shorts.
>>53
People wear them all over the world though.
People wear them all over the world though.
Honestly, my leg hair is thick. Guess that really is gross then.
>>59
Just shave it. You're overthinking this.
Just shave it. You're overthinking this.
Even teenage guys wearing shorts is gross.
>>67
Isn't it just you who's gross?
Isn't it just you who's gross?
>>67
Not gross at all.
Not gross at all.
It's been over 35°C every single day — saying shorts are gross is the actual gross thing here.
>>83
Because of direct sunlight exposure, logically speaking, long pants are actually cooler than shorts.
Because of direct sunlight exposure, logically speaking, long pants are actually cooler than shorts.
If you're gonna wear shorts, get your leg hair removed.
>>92
There's pressure going the other way too — "how dare a guy get hair removal."
There's pressure going the other way too — "how dare a guy get hair removal."
>>92
They'll just tell you "an old guy like you shouldn't bother with hair removal."
They'll just tell you "an old guy like you shouldn't bother with hair removal."
>>125
They're all skin and bones. You guys need to eat more, it's bad for your health.
They're all skin and bones. You guys need to eat more, it's bad for your health.
*This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (News Speed+) thread “【🩳】“Shorts Are Gross”: The Blatant “Old-Guy Discrimination” Nobody Calls Out ⟨A Bug in Society⟩.”
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