Ever hear what we Jamaicans call 'cow bawling' and, after investigating to see what was ailing the damsel in distress, find out it was a man wailing?

Sounds weird doesn't it? That's because Jamaican men (men in general, really) are expected to have a far better grip on their emotions than their female counterparts. Getting angry is one thing. Getting teary-eyed or 'emotional' is quite another.

"I do believe that men should show emotions like crying, because bottling it up inside only makes them angry and aggressive and causes problems later on, especially if you're in a relationship with one who loves to repress his thoughts," says Amelia. That doesn't mean she expects to see water works all the time.

"I don't think a man or woman should be 'bawly bawly'. That, to me, is a sign of weakness and also you come off as someone always seeking sympathy. A person needs to know when to express the appropriate emotions at the appropriate times.

James* chimes in, "Mi nuh like see it wid people in general. Yu have some people a go through some terrible things and as your proverbial milk spill, yu a bawl?"

Part of the problem comes from women themselves, though. They have their own expectations of manliness and how it should be portrayed.

"I remember I skinned my knee once and my aunt told me 'boys don't cry', while putting rubbing alcohol on the cut! I didn't care what she said, mi bawl," says Demarco. So there's the quandary. Show too little emotion, like yawning at a funeral, and you're described as cold and unfeeling. Show too much, however, like crying during a movie, and you may be considered a patsy. Dilemma, dilemma.

Signs you may be a patsy (or better stated, a little too emotional)

(1) You and the miss get into an argument, she calls you choice words and you start crying.

(2) You're reading a poem, thinking about her and you start crying.

(3) You're sitting and looking at a sunset, think it's beautiful and, yep, you start crying.

If your first impulse for any heightened emotional state is to cry (man or woman), you may need to talk with a professional.

*Names changed on request.

What do you think of men who cry or are a 'little emotional? Let us know at lifestyle@gleanerjm.com