People Are Obsessing Over ‘Himbos’ And Here’s Why You Should Want To Date One
Himbo. It's a funny-sounding word, seemingly simple, and it's really sprung to popularity over the past few months—people have been posting about their favorite himbos all over social media.
While the internet treats these loveable dumb hotties as something of a joke, they also have a lot of good qualities. Here's a quick definition of what a himbo is and why you should consider dating one.
What Is A Himbo?
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a himbo as "an attractive but vacuous man," basically meaning that he's an absolute hottie with a body but isn't winning any competitions for his intelligence.
Why A "Himbo"?
The term was created by combining a male pronoun (him) with the word "bimbo." Considering that "bimbo" had been used as a derogatory term about unintelligent women for so long, people believed that there should be a male equivalent.
It's A Throwback To The Past
The term was actually first recorded being used in 1988, with many pop culture writers and media outlets adopting the term over the next decade. However, it has recently been given new life by Gen Zs who have just heard of the term.
They're Goofy, But Kind
One of the most important defining features of a himbo that more recent definitions have stressed is that these men are really kind to the women in their lives. They're drinking their respect women juice.
Himbos Are Everywhere!
Some of the most popular film and television characters from the past few years in a variety of genres have been himbos, including Thor from the MCU and Jason Mendoza from The Good Place.
Why Should You Want To Date One, Though?
When most women talk about the type of men they want to date, "unintelligent" isn't exactly the first adjective that comes up. However, himbos offer a lot of good qualities that can make them great partners.
They Aren't Afraid To Admit They're Wrong
They accept that they might not be the brightest bulb in the shed, so when they lose an argument, they're ready to apologize and admit that they may have been wrong.
They Will Never Try To Mansplain Something To You
Himbos are not the "um, well, actually..." type of guys that will try to explain your own career field to you. While himbos are willing to share information about something they like when prompted, they don't try to explain or talk over you.
They're Down For A Good Time
Who's more fun than a himbo? They're almost always down to tag along for a hike, go for a game of mini-golf, head to a concert, or do just about anything you can think of.
They Don't Have A Superiority Complex
Men who perceive themselves as smart say they like to date intelligent women, but they lose interest once they realize she is more intelligent than him (there's a 2015 study that confirms this). However, himbos don't think they're smarter than you, so they don't feel threatened by your intelligence.
They Are Great To Cuddle
Himbos' bodies are just comfy—they're big and make you feel secure and warm in your arms. I swear, himbos were the blueprint when the inventor of gravity blankets came up with the idea.
They're Fun To Party With
Himbos tend to be your typical meatheads, but that also means that they're fun and friendly, making them the perfect party guest. A himbo boyfriend will have you being an unstoppable duo at the beer pong table.
They Don't Belittle Your Problems
Some men will act like your problems are stupid and small, dismissing you when you bring them up. However, a himbo won't consider your problems stupid and is more likely to listen to you vent through it.
Their Errors Rarely Come From A Place Of Malice
When a himbo does something wrong or mistreats you, you can really believe that he didn't mean to do the hurtful thing—he just was not thinking too hard about it.
They're Generally Very Strong
Once again, I don't just want to focus on physical attributes, but it's nice to have a himbo boyfriend who can help you carry furniture when you have to move into a new house.
They're Hot.
You can say whatever you want about not being shallow, but really, we all do love attractive guys with hot bods. There's no way around it: a himbo's hotness is a huge advantage of dating one.
They Support You When You Shine
While some men might feel threatened by your accomplishments/career or try to compete to be the "breadwinner," a himbo will be there cheering from the sidelines. They're always excited to see you being your best self.
They Are Kind
At the root of it all, the most important thing about a partner is that they're kind and that they really respect you, which are two of the defining traits of a himbo.
Of Course, There's No "Right" Type Of Man
I'm not saying that you should stop dating men who have intellectual pursuits and only date guys from the gym. Every woman is different, so we value different characteristics in men across the board.
...However, Don't Discount The Himbos
He may not be able to talk about economic theory with you, but you shouldn't discount men you meet just because you perceive them as stupid. Everyone has good qualities that are worth considering.
The Allure Of Himbos Probably Will Only Grow
Over the past few years, there's been more and more hype created around himbos and the pros of trying to date one. While many originally brought up the idea ironically, more and more women are jumping on the himbo bandwagon.
Himbo Appreciation Is A Reaction To Common Male "Types" In Dating
Like many trends that exist, the demand for the himbo comes off the back of the frustrations many women face in dating—the types of guys that exist in the dating pool.
For Example, Himbos Counteract The Softboi
For example, over the past few years, there has been an increase in awareness about "softbois"—guys who use a fake sense of depth and philosophical intellect while hitting on women. The himbo, who lacks intellect, is the direct opposite.
General Patronizing Behavior Is Rampant
Many women face patronizing men in the dating pool: the type of guys who like to mansplain things, who are overprotective, and often tend to believe that their interests are "superior" to most women.
Women Are Also Criticized For Their Choices When It Comes To Romantic Partners
It's a tale as old as time: when a woman rejects a guy (or "friendzones" him) she is likely to be told that she's shallow for not seeing his value beyond his looks.
The Himbo Breaks Away From All Of These Things
The whole concept of the himbo counteracts a lot of the frustrations and difficulties that women commonly face in the dating world, offering almost a utopic alternative to the current dating options.
We Might Just Be Tired Of The Efforts Of Regular Dating
Dating around and getting to know new potential romantic interests can be exhausting, especially when you have to present yourself as someone who is smart, interesting, and dynamic all the time.
The Trend Of "Sapiosexuals" Also Contributes To It
Sapiosexuals are people who claim to be mostly attracted to intelligence in a partner. Going on first dates with people who crave for you to be smart can go from being fun to feeling like you're regularly being quizzed really quickly.
Maybe It's Just Nice To Not Always Work Hard
The himbo, bless his heart, is there more to have a good time hanging out with you. He doesn't need you to discuss complex topics at any given time—he just wants you to be present.
We Can All Learn Something From Himbos
If there's one thing I admire deeply about himbos, it's their ability to admit that they don't know something and feel completely okay about it. You don't always have to have the answers—sometimes you just need to show up, be present in the moment, and have a good attitude.
