the manual or the men of Acadiana, family is the tie that binds; hard work is paramount; the land is to be cared for and cherished; F and life is to be not only appreciated, but lived to the fullest and with joy. Add to that an enduring spirit, serious storytelling skills and a tendency to be more interested in experiences than material goods, and you have the recipe for a life well lived. These attributes could be used to describe the majority of people from the region, man or woman. But for this issue of Acadiana Profile Magazine, we're training our eyes on — and celebrating — the menfolk. ¶ The "MAN-ual" is a guide to everything from rugged style and grooming to hobbies and outdoor activities. We also tossed a little romance into this gumbo of a guide, because Cajun men (and women) like things spicy. Discover businesses throughout Acadiana where you can get products and services to keep that from slipping too far into "Duck Dynasty" territory (Unless that's your thing. Who are we to judge?); get the scoop on whiskey tastings and other manly pursuits; and find new ways to play hard, whether it's boxing or disc golf. ¶ We're not saying you fellas aren't already the stuff dreams are made of, but if you are looking to shake things up or simply in the market for a dapper new pair of boots, pour yourself a pint of your favorite local brew and settle in for a few minutes with the Acadiana Profile MAN-ual. Allons!

— Intro by Melanie Warner Spencer, Text by S. George and Ashley Hinson

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Products eards aren't just for Bhipsters. No, gents, it's Products? Yes products. You well-established that think that beard behaves all are for men. Cajun men; on its own? No. Those things and all men. Let's sling some can get unruly. Stock up on the science on the subject, shall following products to keep that we? A 2013 study found Shops face mane soft, groomed and that "women judged faces Mutton Chops A la Souvarov Old Dutch lucious. with heavy stubble as most attractive." Researchers beard wash It can be difficult Accessories: Genterie cleansing a beard. Soap and presented 351 women and Supply Co., in Lafayette is the facial cleansers can dry out 177 heterosexual men with place to stock up on shoes, the coarse , and normal photos of 10 men shown boots, bags, shades, shirts, may cause irritation four different ways : clean- grooming and home goods. to the skin underneath it. shaven, five days growth genterie.com Check out beardbrand.com (light stubble), 10 days Clothier: Gaidry’s Menswear growth (heavy stubble) and beard oil Give your facial in Lake Charles has you full beard. They then asked covered for casual and dressy a soothing scent and the men and women to rate help soften and condition menswear and accessories. your beard. Louisiana Beard each photo according to 121 W College St, Lake & Association attractiveness. Heavy stubble Charles, (337) 474-3800 handmakes six beard oil was a clear winner among French Fork Short Boxed Beard blends, using only natural, women. ¶ This makes sense Southern Style: Classic organic oils and essential oils. if you look at it through the clothing and accessories louisianabeard.com evolutionary standpoint. How abound at Brothers on the Boulevard in Lafayette. else is a woman supposed brothersontheblvd.com to know if you are a good mate or not? A beard is your mane, man. It demonstrates masculinity. Would a lion shave its beard? No. Thats Style for Miles ridiculous. Regardless, don't be afraid to grow out those whiskers. Society says one When in doubt, Handlebar & Goatee Van Dyke Imperial thing about facial hair, but our subconcious animal selves pull Frank Sinatra out Have you ever wanted say something completely different. And, if you are a one of those old-timey single man ready to settle shaves with the fluffy down, a full beard may be a brush and straight good way to attract a serious Have you avoided ? Well, we found mate. The study also found ld Blue Eyes is about as A Men's Warehouse survey that wearing red (or standing wearing a necktie or far from Acadiana as you conducted by Kelton Research in front of a red background) a place for you to get that "Full-bearded men may O bow-tie due to the can get, but is the epitome of (take that for what you will) attracts more of the opposite be perceived as better fathers seemingly daunting that done, and have a who could protect and invest classic manliness. Well-dressed found that 78 percent of women sex. The same is true for both cocktail to boot! What!? in offspring." ¶ Plus, who likes and groomed, Frank was full think one of the sexiest things a genders. ¶ So, suit up — task of learning how to tie it? Tutorials Soul Patch The Winnfield Hulihee Head on over to Rifinery everyday anyway? No of swagger. By dressing well man can do is dress well. Sixty consider a red tie or go bold with Downtown in Lafayette. one — thats who. More of a you send out the vibes that you three percent of women find a red shoes — and conduct a little abound at are confident, sophisticated man in a suit more attractive experiment in animal behavior. ¶ No really, check it out. reason to let those locks loose. ties.com. Now don't go all crazy and and intelligent.We suggest than one in a uniform. ¶ Two Geaux, tiger. Too much? Yeah, we RefineryDowntown.com. messy, keep it tidy, ya hear? trying this out at the next LSU studies (Journal of Experimental thought so too. or University of Louisiana at Psychology and European Journal Lafayette game. (No, really.) of Social Psychology) determined

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Get t’s easy for anyone to get I caught in a routine. From eating, to dancing, to getting Test out your new sucked down into the Netflix Out tasting skills at The rabbit hole, getting stuck in a Barrel in Broussard. trap we set for ourselves feels almost inevitable, but Acadiana This top shelf whiskey Boats, guns has loads of diverse interest and bourbon bar has groups and activities to break and gear for more than 75 different that vicious cycle. ¶ According brands of the brown to Statista.com, 43 percent outdoor fun in stuff and offers half of men polled said watching TV is their favorite activity to shots for tasters Acadiana do in their free time. Put the with commitment remote down! ¶ Whether it’s ouisiana is, of course, the sportsman’s issues. Tasting classes talking shop about a high-end L paradise and the state is rife with are in the works. or locally made whiskey, taking bayous for canoeing and kayaking; rivers thebarrelbroussard.com on a new instrument, or even for boating and fishing; and has secret learning new ways to cook walking and jogging trails in its myriad Cajun favorites, there are tons parks and sanctuaries. ¶ The subtropical of routes the enlightened Cajun weather offers residents almost year round man can take on his way to access to the Gulf Coast’s abundance of self-fulfillment. Classes offer a natural beauty. There’s plenty to see and gateway into new lifestyles at all do; paddling on Lake Martin at sunrise, ages and clubs can foster a sense waterskiing on the Vermilion River and of camaraderie around common even taking advantage of the numerous gun interests. ranges for hunters to practice in preparation for deer and duck seasons. Hunting enthusiasts flock to Louisiana for its gun- Try This friendly attitude and ample acres of land for fishing and shooting — two time-honored traditions that represent the resourcefulness of Acadiana’s residents. become a connoisseur Charley G's offers monthly tastings ranging from wine to whiskey to beer. CharleyGs.com

learn to cook The new Tabasco cooking classes on Avery Island show attendees how to make meals with a spicy kick. Shops tabasco.com

Play an instrument outdoor supplies firearms Hunter’s Supply and Pistol vehicles With two The Music Academy of Pack and Paddle Range is locally owned and operated in Lake locations in Lafayette, Acadiana provides guitar, Louisiana doesn't have many specializes in Charles, and carries a variety of firearms; Lafayette Power Sports piano, drum, violin, saxophone, large rocks to climb, but carrying supplies for the store and pistol range also provides is the place to go brass and wood instrument that doesn't mean there outdoor activities information on concealed carrying. for outdoor motors, lessons to aspiring musicians like rock climbing, hunterssupplypistolrange.com boats, ATVs and more. of all ages and skill levels. aren't rock walls. Check backpacking, lafayettepowersports.com musicacademyofacadiana.com out Southern Stone canoeing, kayaking Acadiana Gunworks of Scott provides (previously Rok Haus) in and kayak fishing, fly concealed carry classes and many fishing and camping. different makes and models of firearms Lafayette. rokhaus.com packpaddle.com for the hunter or gun enthusiast. acadianagunworks.com

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O Spice It Up R man ual Add a dash of romance TASTE Local craft beer lovers have a new location in Bayou Teche Brewing’s brewery, which with new and classic houses a patio with picnic- style seating and live music. Acadiana date spots bayoutechebrewing.com

he modern Acadiana man embraces the tradition and innovation in his DANCE The La Poussiere Cajun T hometown. He’ll hit the highway for traditional Mardi Gras runs and Dancehalle in Breaux Bridge has sip beer from brand new microbreweries down the road. On a clear day, he’ll been around for more than 60 years, and features musicians Lake Martin take a canoe or kayak to the lake and paddle among Cypress trees. He takes like Steve Riley, Wayne Toups is on ample land the same past-meets-present approach to dating. In recent years, men have and Kevin Naquin. lapoussiere. under ancient donned the beards and flannels of their forefathers while taking advantage of com Acadiana’s progressive social scene, and women have taken notice. It’s now cypress trees expected for a man to be as knowledgeable about new seasonal brews as he WALK The Acadiana Nature and is a favorite is on how to two-step. There are tons of old-school spots to discover after a Station has both short and long spot for sunset trails for walkers and runners brewery tour or walk along a trail, and plenty of old Cajun staples and new picnics and sunrise attractions are available to keep him and his special lady, or potential love with many different animals and interest, busy. plants native to Louisiana to see kayaking. along the way.

Try This

run for it Lafayette's Play Around Geaux Run sells trainers, apparel and accessories in addition to hosting almost daily group runs Get fit or just pass a good at various locations. geauxrun.com time with running, boxing Called “The best throw it Magnolia kept secret in Park Disc Golf League in and golf groups St. Martinville features Acadiana,” Farm a new disc golf course d’Allie Golf Club that meanders along round here, the goals behind taking on a sport vary between fitness, 18-hole public course the Bayou Teche under massive oaks. A social prowess and passing a good time, but the ultimate is to find an in Carencro has 13 activity that can satisfy at least two of those interests at once. ¶ Dad bods stmartinville.org ponds and lakes, 30 may be in, but according to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports recently renovated hit it Title Boxing and Nutrition, adults between 17 and 64 years old need at least two and Club in Lafayette offers a half hours, or 150 minutes, each week of physical activity. Luckily, bunkers and five a full range of boxing participation in local group activities is on the rise, and there are many sets of Tees. Visit and kickboxing classes; organizations to keep the Louisiana man on track (and keep the boudin, farmdalliegolfclub.com the club also offers beer and Sunday Funday calories at bay). Even if “gains” aren’t on the the first class for free. for more information priority list, a relaxing day at the golf course or park is always a good idea. titleboxingclub.com

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