In many countries the macho mentality is deeply rooted in society as a whole. As a consequence of this mentality, it is frowned upon for a man to allow himself to be influenced or dominated by his partner, his sister or his mother. When this happens the man can be labeled as a mandilón. It is a derogatory term that conveys a lack of character, submission and a cowardly attitude.
As for the origin of the term, it is the augmentative of apron (in Mexico an apron is an apron, a garment that women have traditionally used and that for the macho mentality should not be used by men).
Distinguishing synonyms
Mandilón is a term that is not used in formal language, as it is a very colloquial word among Mexicans (in Mexico faldillero is a word synonymous with mandilón) In other countries where Spanish is spoken there are words that have the same meaning. In Spain, men "subdued" by a woman are known as calzonazos, in Bolivia they are mandarins, pollerudos or Sundays, and in Chile the word Macabeo is used.
All these denominations are used when the man does the housework, when he performs an activity that is not typical of a true male or when he allows himself to be dominated by a woman.
The tamed male
In recent decades, women have been equated with men in all kinds of fields, from the world of work, sports or research. In life as a couple, it is increasingly common for men and women to share household responsibilities.
Although this trend is increasing, a sector of the male population considers that the male is being domesticated by feminism. When these mental schemes prevail, the use of the word mandilón or the equivalent terms is very common.
As is logical, in typically male environments the "tamed male" tries to go unnoticed and even hides to avoid mockery and disqualification.
Other curious Mexicanisms
The Mexican people are especially creative when it comes to inventing words and expressions. Thus, an iron is a knife, a fayuca is the smuggling of goods, a disorderly person is a fodonga, someone who annoys is a mop, a strawberry is an individual who pretends to be from high society, a garrolero is a man with bad intentions , a complicated situation is a gacho, a joto is a homosexual, a menso is a fool and someone with bad taste is a naco.
Photo Fotolia: Alfons Ven
