It's become fashionable to describe a cold which forces a male to stay away from work as "man flu".  At the risk of sounding politically correct, I think this is stupid and dangerous.  The implication is that when men get sick they get pathetic and over-dramatic, and the comparator is women.  I have no comment to make on the stereotyping, and it doesn't bother me because it's all part of the healthy banter between men and women.  Men's counter to the accusation is around how much sympathy they get from their beloveds.  Then again, more sympathy might make us even more pathetic. 

But to me the important thing is how we as business owners, men and women but most especially men, try to wear the badge of honour by not giving in to sickness.  There's too much to do, I can't afford to disappoint people, they can't do it without me etc etc.  And typically a cold becomes a secondary infection and if they're really stoic (stupid) it becomes bronchitis, pneumonia, or pleurisy. And then the cost to the business is really significant.

Even more worrying, and this is definitely a guy thing, is not getting things checked out.  I am guilty of this myself.  A test came back with an abnormal cholesterol reading.  I went for the subsequent test, but did I do the 3 month follow-up?  Ah, not yet. That may not be life-threatening, but we all know stories of people who have events or developments that absolutely should be followed up quickly and attentively.  And they don't.  Is it stoicism or fear that your lifestyle will have to change?  Is it a "she'll be right" attitude or just plain stupid?

If you've got something you know you should deal with, for God's sake Billy, don't be a hero. Or a schmuck.  Get it checked.  Pick up the phone now, and make the appointment.  Now.

15 September