It all began when I was thirteen years old at a Memphis State basketball game. We had just taken our seats when one of the fathers decided to get us refreshments. When he returned, he had forgotten one important thing for my coke, a straw. I asked, “Where is my straw?” He looked at me and replied, “Son, a real man doesn’t use a straw.” After the laughter subsided, I realized he was right. A real man doesn’t need a straw. Some years later I was with Brian who was about to put cream in his coffee. I mentioned that a real man does not put cream in his coffee. Amidst laughter he asked, “Where did you ever get an idea like that?” I told him my father. He replied, “Oh yeah, I forgot Howard is the authority on what a real man is.” Shortly afterwards, Brian and I began determining our own real man rules. A mere comment, “You should write those down so you don’t forget them,” launched it. Before we knew it, we had pages and pages of true real man rules - some foolish, others plain and simple. Occasionally when a few of our friends were together, someone would mention, “Hey, I’ve got a good real man,” which was then included in our list.Subsequently, everyone would try to think of one more worthy of being added to ‘the list’.The idea for this book came from the constant laughter and general appreciation from our peers and acquaintances. Everyone with whom we shared the real man list loved it and thought it was hilarious. So, we thought maybe we could put it in paperback and see if the rest of the world agrees