• Richard Branson and Ray Dalio Have No Tolerance for Office Gossip: Why Some Billionaires Are Willing to Fire Employees Over It

  Men who gossip about their colleagues behind their backs could be putting their careers at risk. A new study by the University of Iowa and the University of New Mexico has found that men who gossip are perceived as less competent and are less likely to be seen as leadership material than women who engage in exactly the same behavior....

• Threw a Plate of Spaghetti in Her Face: Bride Explodes After Bridesmaid Refuses to Gain 120 Pounds

  A bride sparked an outrageous row after demanding that her best friend gain more than 120 pounds (54kg) so she could look like the slimmest woman at her own wedding. The bizarre story has gone viral, with thousands of social media users rallying behind the woman who shared her experience, the New York Post reports...

• Groom's X-Rated Antics at the Altar Turn Wedding Kiss into Scandal, Leaving Guests Stunned

  A video showing a groom's outrageous behavior at his own wedding has taken social media by storm. In a rather unconventional way of celebrating his big “I do,” the man skipped the traditional altar kiss, buried his face in his bride's cleavage and began shaking his head. His provocative stunt made the newlywed burst into laughter but left etiquette experts outraged...

• 83-Year-Old Billionaire David Geffen Reunites with His Ex-Husband, 50 Years His Junior, After Scandalous Divorce

  The story of David Geffen and Donovan Michaels may be far from over. The 83-year-old media mogul, whose fortune is estimated in the billions, has reportedly been spending time with his 33-year-old ex-husband just months after their high-profile divorce was finalized...

• Vanessa Trump Makes Future Plans with Tiger Woods After Beating Cancer

  Vanessa Trump and Tiger Woods are looking to move forward in their relationship after a difficult year in which the former daughter-in-law of US President Donald Trump battled breast cancer while the golfer faced the aftermath of a car accident...

• “Porn Isn’t the Problem”: Adult Film Star Identifies the Main Cause of Gen Z’s Sexual Recession

  Generation Z is increasingly facing a paradox: young people want intimacy, yet real-life sexual relationships are becoming less common...

• Three Hours for Makeup and Household Chores: Japanese Prime Minister’s Admission Sparks Public Debate

  Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has said her daily schedule is significantly more demanding than those of her male predecessors. In addition to her official duties, she spends several hours a day on makeup, bathing, cooking and other household tasks. Her remarks have sparked a heated debate about gender stereotypes and the expectations placed on Japanese women, The New York Times reports...

• “Grandparents Now Need Permission to Hug”: Controversial Ad Pulled After Backlash

  A controversy has erupted in Ireland over a public awareness campaign urging grandparents to ask their grandchildren for permission before hugging them. The video, created by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and funded by the Department of Justice, sparked accusations of absurd political correctness, disrespect toward older people and the misuse of public funds. The justice minister eventually demanded that the video be taken down...

For many young men in the U.S., meeting women has become a daunting challenge. Ryan Kessler, 28, from Manhattan told The Post that he tries not to come across as a pushy macho guy, fearing he’ll be seen as a “classic jerk.”

"I don’t want the other person to feel uncomfortable. Some women don’t want to be approached at all," Kessler explained.

As a result, his real-life encounters with women are rare, but he feels more confident on dating apps like Bumble and Hinge, where women expect a digital approach.

A 2025 study found that nearly half of men fear being perceived as a “jerk,” which discourages them from approaching women in person. Yet most women actually want men to take the initiative: 77% of women aged 18–30 and 68% of those 30–40 said they appreciate men making the first move.

Some men have completely given up on taking the initiative. Grant Greenly, a 24-year-old actor, said: “I’ll never approach women again. It’s not worth it. If she’s the one, she’ll make the first move.”

Comedian Levi McKaychen, 37, agrees with the trend: “If a woman has the courage to approach first, that’s great. The man just enjoys the moment.”

Experts stress the importance of distinguishing between respectful attention and harassment. Connell Barrett, a 14-year-old New York dating coach, advises: “Men shouldn’t be afraid to approach, but it should be done with empathy and charm. Women aren’t against being approached—they’re against being objectified or disrespected.”

As dating norms shift, many men, like Greenly and McKaychen, are letting women take the lead. Others approach carefully, trying to find a connection without awkwardness or offense.

Follow NEWS.am STYLE on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram