How to Be a Country Boy

Lots of people don't like "how to be" articles because you should be who you are, not stuff yourself into a stereotype that you think looks like fun, or something. None of my how-to articles are for faking your personality (although someday I may write an article on "How to Be a Poser" just for laughs). Use this information to express your personality, and don't take any of my advice as law.

Parts of this article are almost verbatim from How to Be a Country Girl. Thanks to Thomas for giving me the idea to adapt the country girl article for the guys!

You are probably already country if some or all of the following are true:

• You enjoy some or all country music. And not just Carrie Underwood or Taylor Swift. Nothing against them of course, but if their music is the only country music you like, then you are not as country as you may think.
• You like farms, ranches, and the country. If you think manure smells bad, a walk down a country road at night sounds awful, or you are in some other way uncomfortable or dislike anywhere that is not 'citified,' you are not country. 
• You like animals, but have no problem with them being used for food and other things. Not a militant animal rights activist or vegan.
• You think country girls are sexy
• You'd rather live in the country or a small town than in the 'burbs or a city.
• You prefer American-made products to Chinese sweatshop creations.
• You believe in God.
• You're proud to be an American.
• You're politically conservative
• You think there is nothing better or more honorable than serving your country, raising a family, and everyday life.
• You'd rather work a field or ride a horse than sit in an office all day. 

Still think you're country? Sweet! Here are the actual instructions:




Live in the Country. You don't have to go all rural and remote, but at least live in a small town (preferably the one you're from). Small towns mean fewer than ten thousand people, preferably less than five thousand. If you can (and want to) live on a farm or ranch, more power to you. You should already have a small town attitude: friendly, polite, no tailgating, no road rage, and no desire for big box stores, Starbucks, fast food restaurants, and/or malls nearby.

Get a Strong and Healthy Body. You don't really have to have big bulgy muscles or workout all the time. Just use this BMI calculator to find out if you are at a healthy weight. If you are overweight, lose weight the healthy way. If you are skinny or at a healthy weight, continue to eat healthy and build some muscle because the country lifestyle is generally very active and physically demanding.

Your Hair. If you keep it short, you don't have to do anything except keep it clean, and if it's long, you should brush it and you can put it in a ponytail. That's not to say you can't put gel in it or whatever you like to do to your hair, I'm just saying you don't have to. You can wear a bandanna a la Keith Anderson. I'm sorry I don't have very many suggestions, but I don't know much about this. If you leave suggestions in the comments, I'd be happy to add them in here.

What to Wear. I hope this doesn't get totally out of control like the country girl article did.

• Pants. Pretty much everything you wear will be based around jeans, mostly boot cut jeans. Try Wranglers (buy them online, or use the store finder) or Levi's (they have an online store and a store locator, too). You can wear other brands as well. I'm pretty sure I can safely classify skinny jeans as not allowed, but go ahead and prove me wrong if you want to. I have yet to see a picture of a country guy wearing shorts for anything besides swimming, but that doesn't mean you can't. 
• Shirts and Jackets. If you want to, you can get shirts and hoodies that say things like "Country Boy" and "Proud to Be an American" or with the John Deere logo, Rebel Flag, or International Harvester logo. You can also wear western shirts and flannel shirts. Denim, plaid, black trench coats, and camo are great for jackets. 
• Shoes. You can wear athletic shoes if you want to, but you should also have at least one pair of cowboy boots and hiking boots are good, too. 
• Other Stuff. When it comes to hats, a cowboy hat is an obvious choice, but you can wear baseball hats with your favorite sports team, the John Deere logo, Rebel Flag, International Harvester logo, etc. Get your belts in real leather (plain or tooled) or braided/macrame. If you want to dress up your belt, try a belt buckle; there are a lot of options. Being a country boy doesn't mean no piercings (look at Jason Aldean) but I wouldn't recommend piercing anything besides your ears. Also, I think Jason Aldean's are a larger gauge than the size girls usually get, so keep that in mind. Wear jewelry or don't, but if you do, go with natural-looking materials, no neon plastic!

Inspiration [Note: All of these links are to YouTube channels!]: Keith Anderson * Keith Urban * Toby Keith * Alan Jackson * Jason Aldean * Justin Moore * Luke Bryan * Josh Kelley * Josh Turner * Billy Currington * Dierks Bentley * Eastin Corbin * Kenny Chesney * Blake Shelton * Pretty much any guy country singer

Personality and Attitude. There are lots of stereotypes about country boys, just like there are for country girls. Take the good characteristics like being always willing to help out a buddy, polite, respectful, honest, friendly, and natural, and leave the negatives. Simply put, just be the best guy you can be.

Fun 'Country' Activities. Of course you should do what makes you happy, but here are some fun things you can try.

• Spend Time Outdoors. Go hiking, watch the sunset, ride an ATV, explore nature, hang out at the lake, ride horses, take a long walk down a country road, etc. If you can't or don't want to, then try some farm-type things. Plant a garden full of vegetables. Go hunting, mudding, fishing, camping, and dancing.
• Sports. Like football and baseball. Learn the rules, watch local games and catch it on TV. Get familiar with the teams and players and find your favorites. Personally, I like the Broncos and the Diamondbacks. 
• Develop a Relationship With God. Pray, read the Bible (and the Book of Mormon if you are so inclined), go to church, spend time in nature, etc.
• Learn to Cook. While this isn't exactly a country boy thing, most girls I know think it's great when guys can cook. Try old fashioned recipes such as cornbread, biscuits, baked beans, fried chicken, pie, ham, both mashed and baked potatoes, gravy, roast, bacon, eggs, pancakes and waffles, salads, puddings, cake, cookies, ice cream, and so on. Be able to cook all of it from scratch.
• Spend Time With Animals. Get a job on a working ranch or farm or ranch if you like. Get a dog or some barn cats. Raise some chickens and larger livestock if you can. 
• Listen to Country Music. You can listen to other music too, just be familiar with country artists. Listen to your local country radio station. I'd better not say much about it here or it will get out of control. Instead, read my How to Find Good Country Music article and my other country music posts.
• Learn to Play the Guitar. You'll be able to play your favorite country songs, especially around a campfire in the woods.

Tips: Wear spurs, drive a truck (they're freaking sexy! I have a serious weakness for big black Dodge trucks), go to rodeos or be in a rodeo, learn to shoot a rifle, have bonfires, watch Nascar.

Good luck!

*Pictures borrowed from the Facebook Group Country boys with jacked up trucks are HOT!!! ♥ :)