What makes men in uniform so desirable?

There is indeed something appealing about Hrithik Roshan's makeover from a clueless teenager to a disciplined army officer in the movie Lakshya; in the way he pulled off the army garb rather handsomely over his perfectly sculpted body. So what if R Madhavan is a little distanced from the perfect physique? His cameo in Rang De Basanti as a dashing Air Force officer triggered his desirability quotient that made girls go weak in the knees.

What is it about men in uniform that draws female attention in plenty? Some say it is the attire itself that accentuates their overall personality. Reasons may vary, but it is to an extent true that a man from the Army, Air force, Navy et al, is looked upon as the ideal beau. Saachi Saxena, stewardess with a leading airline says, "Pilots have the responsibility of flying an aircraft that has almost 300 passengers on board. Naturally, their sense of responsibility cannot be judged. And every girl wants a responsible and focussed partner. Add to that the elan with which they carry themselves. Many might feel shy accepting the fact that they are quite sought after in the airline industry."

Men in service have all the reasons to be coveted. Their profession is such that they cannot help but exude chivalry in their mannerisms, which is enough to impress women. The act of being courteous is perceived to be more respectful than intended to impress. Opening the door for the lady to enter first, holding the chair and allowing her to sit, practicing basic table manners while eating together are just some of the practices that come naturally to them. Of course, everything comes with a condition. Barnali Mishra, a PR professional who's dating an Army officer, points out that communication can be a challenge. "There are times when I need to discuss something urgently and his phone remains unreachable because he's traversing no-network areas," she says. That's when the sweet old tradition of writing letters is revived in the modern day context. "Men in the army and such professions find it a little difficult to voice their feelings as anyone else normally would, but they are able to express beautifully in words. Our exchange of thoughts via emails is the part I enjoy most," she adds.

A penchant for men in uniform also takes root if you have someone like that in the family. Trisha Seth, a copywriter, explains, "My father was in the Air Force and I grew up idolising him, his never-say-no attitude, being always up for adventure and helpful nature. He has been very accommodating under certain circumstances; his disciplined and organised nature amazes me. The disappointment happens when I search these traits in other men."

Digressing from the above perceptions, Dr. Geetanjali Sharma, marriage and relationship counsellor, brings to light the dilemmas faced by women who settle for such partners. "Infidelity is the most common crisis faced on either side. Also, since they're away from home for prolonged periods, re-connecting with the family at the same emotional level suffers a setback." Then why do women continue to be in awe of them? "Women prefer a partner who can protect them. It has been so since ancient times. So, it can be assumed that men in uniform are the modern day 'saviours' and hence the attraction," she concludes.

(Some names have been changed on request)

arunima.mazumdar@indiatimes.co.in

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