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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Like him but struggling with this physical feature that apparently all men have of a certain age?

171 replies

Numppp · 23/09/2026 20:45

Met someone lovely. I do fancy him. But, he has a small bum. He very much needs a belt. It’s basically flat. He’s late 40s and lost a lot of weight in last few years (previously overweight now a healthy weight) which I think has emphasised this even more.

Girlfriends are saying this is normal with age (he’s around 8 years older than me) and happens with all men. Does it?! I’ve never noticed it before. I don’t want this to be an issue as I really do like him. We’ve not DTD yet

OP posts:
BIossomtoes · 24/09/2026 14:06

I wish it would happen to mine, it’s the size of a small planet.

JaneJeffer · 24/09/2026 14:04

Also Kylie is more famous for her hot pants than her spleen Confused

CallmePaul · 24/09/2026 13:55

I'm a bloke, don't think I have much of an arse. No weight loss & not through lack of exercise as I do & have always done loads & am pretty strong, but more a swimmers physique than say a Rugby one where you'd have much thicker legs/ thighs.

With slim women I tend to notice if they are a runner & have always run, the bum is quite flat, unless they do fair bit if gym work, vs other sports particularly if they do lots of glute work. I don't know how that relates to blokes really. I've not paid much interest or looked at their bums tbh!

JaneJeffer · 24/09/2026 13:54

BrezhnevsLuxuriantEyebrows · 24/09/2026 13:28

I just don't get why anybody is giving his arse any thought at all, though. How often do you think about Kylie's spleen; or Ben Shepherd's elbows; or Andy Burnham's instep?! It kind of is objectifying to be discussing a random body part belonging to somebody who is famous for his music... not even his face, hairstyle or whatever, but a body part that is hidden by his clothes.

It's not even like he's ever going to be in the running to become the partner of anybody on this thread, and they're considering whether they fancy him enough to be an acceptable potential contender!

If you’re going to put your arse on an album cover it’s to be expected people will talk about it.

*edited to say it is in a pair of jeans - I wasn’t talking about his bare arse 😆

TotaleclipseinFrance · 24/09/2026 13:42

BrezhnevsLuxuriantEyebrows · 24/09/2026 13:28

I just don't get why anybody is giving his arse any thought at all, though. How often do you think about Kylie's spleen; or Ben Shepherd's elbows; or Andy Burnham's instep?! It kind of is objectifying to be discussing a random body part belonging to somebody who is famous for his music... not even his face, hairstyle or whatever, but a body part that is hidden by his clothes.

It's not even like he's ever going to be in the running to become the partner of anybody on this thread, and they're considering whether they fancy him enough to be an acceptable potential contender!

My reply was in response to somebody else's comment about Bruce's bottom.

It's not unreasonable to mention famous men's bottoms in a thread like this because it acts as a reference point.

Nobody's objectifying him at all given the subject matter.

It's not as if this is a thread about his music.

I don't think anybody here is thinking they're going to marry him, either.

I don't even fancy the guy. Though yes he is attractive to a lot of women for sure.

I do think you're really over the top about this given the entire thread is about men's arses!

If you're that bothered by objectification of men's arses and the attractiveness of them (or not) why post on the thread?

To tell everybody else off for having preferences?

pinck · 24/09/2026 13:41

JumpingJimny · 23/09/2026 21:50

DP is 55 and has an incredible arse. He’s a tradie so is active and muscular. I can’t help but feel and smack his arse (and that’s just in the supermarket!)

But no, it’s not standard for a man in his 40s, its usual for anyone that never uses their muscles.

It’s genetics too though. For example, my little sister works out, does squats and yoga constantly etc and her butt still isn’t nearly as big as mine. I’ve had a huge butt since I was a 80 something pound preteen and did absolutely nothing to build it. 😂 Exercise can obviously build muscle, but acting like anyone without a big ass simply “never uses their muscles” is a spectacularly dumb understanding of human anatomy.

PocketSand · 24/09/2026 13:34

Ah. Hank Hill and his Diminished Gluteal Syndrome. Google Hank Has No ASS. Classic King of the Hill episode.

cheezncrackers · 24/09/2026 13:32

It's normal for some people and I'm guessing it might be more normal if you've lost a lot of weight. But you either fancy him and his physique or you don't. But how would you like it if he dissected your looks and said 'I like @Numppp except she's got small boobs or a fat arse'. Not very nice is it?!

BrezhnevsLuxuriantEyebrows · 24/09/2026 13:28

TotaleclipseinFrance · 24/09/2026 10:40

Yeah yeah there's no need to be uppity about it.
I am very much aware of his highly regarded musicianship and have seen him in concert.

No idea why you feel the need to be all sarcastic and schoolmarmish about it as if he's being objectified or something.

The reason I'm asking is because I've never really given his ass much thought.

Edited

I just don't get why anybody is giving his arse any thought at all, though. How often do you think about Kylie's spleen; or Ben Shepherd's elbows; or Andy Burnham's instep?! It kind of is objectifying to be discussing a random body part belonging to somebody who is famous for his music... not even his face, hairstyle or whatever, but a body part that is hidden by his clothes.

It's not even like he's ever going to be in the running to become the partner of anybody on this thread, and they're considering whether they fancy him enough to be an acceptable potential contender!

levitational · 24/09/2026 13:17

TotaleclipseinFrance · 24/09/2026 10:40

Yeah yeah there's no need to be uppity about it.
I am very much aware of his highly regarded musicianship and have seen him in concert.

No idea why you feel the need to be all sarcastic and schoolmarmish about it as if he's being objectified or something.

The reason I'm asking is because I've never really given his ass much thought.

Edited

Quite. Bruce's arse wouldn't have been mentioned as an aside in this thread if he wasn't on most people's radar by virtue of being a phenomenal song writer, musician and performer. The comments were in no way objectifying.

TotaleclipseinFrance · 24/09/2026 10:45

Naunet · 24/09/2026 08:37

Why is it shallow to want to be attracted to the man you'll be having sex with? Men are actually rarely encouraged to give women they're not attracted to, a 'chance' by other men, or called shallow for having particular traits they're attracted/unattracted to.

True. I actually think that it is sometimes women who do other women down not men.

Good grief, if she doesn't fancy him she should not be shamed into fancying him.

It's obviously significant turn-off or she wouldn't be asking here.

TotaleclipseinFrance · 24/09/2026 10:40

BrezhnevsLuxuriantEyebrows · 24/09/2026 07:11

Yep, his Wikipedia page goes into enormous detail about his bottom and its changing shape over the decades, and how that has correlated with the fashions of each era.

A quirky fact that many may not realise about Bruce, the famous bottom-haver, is that he's actually also a singer and musician, who has even released some of his music commercially; and one or two people have commented that they reckon it's fairly good - it's mentioned in a footnote right at the end!

Yeah yeah there's no need to be uppity about it.
I am very much aware of his highly regarded musicianship and have seen him in concert.

No idea why you feel the need to be all sarcastic and schoolmarmish about it as if he's being objectified or something.

The reason I'm asking is because I've never really given his ass much thought.

Boreded · 24/09/2026 10:28

EvieBB · 24/09/2026 01:20

Because it makes a nice change 😀

It really doesn’t. That you think it does is indivative of the problem really…

BridalFeastofBethChadruharazzeb · 24/09/2026 09:24

You can stop seeing him for any reason you want.

(But YABVVU for your crappy click bait title, eurgh)

DeftGoldHedgehog · 24/09/2026 08:55

Yes I'm not keen on flat bums or skinny legs. Also am not attracted to men with big women's bottoms and moobs either. DH is hardly Charles Atlas but has very solid legs and a bottom, still at 55.

YourGiddyGreyHelper · 24/09/2026 08:54

ForTooLong · 23/09/2026 20:57

I hate people saying that. It’s normal to want to be attracted to a partner and it’s ok to not have a relationship with someone for any reason. That reason may seem silly to others but if it matters to you, it’s ok.

Well that's the whole raison d'etre of AIBU sunk then

Tablesandchairs23 · 24/09/2026 08:52

Naunet · 24/09/2026 08:37

Why is it shallow to want to be attracted to the man you'll be having sex with? Men are actually rarely encouraged to give women they're not attracted to, a 'chance' by other men, or called shallow for having particular traits they're attracted/unattracted to.

She said she is attracted to him. So it shouldn't matter. None of us a perfect looking.

Divinedownload · 24/09/2026 08:46

Westfacing · 23/09/2026 20:50

People do suffer muscular atrophy as they age

Poor bastard is only in his 40s!

😂😂😂

Naunet · 24/09/2026 08:37

Tablesandchairs23 · 24/09/2026 05:43

You sound shallow. How would you feel if he wanted to dump you because your tits were to small.

Why is it shallow to want to be attracted to the man you'll be having sex with? Men are actually rarely encouraged to give women they're not attracted to, a 'chance' by other men, or called shallow for having particular traits they're attracted/unattracted to.

pulpJarvis · 24/09/2026 08:33

LVPLVT · 23/09/2026 20:56

I didn’t realise anyone was interested in men’s arses tbh 😂 if arses mean a lot to you then I can see why this would be a problem.

His shapely arse was one of the selling points of DH to me…he’s 59 and it’s still shapely….

Sunbringer · 24/09/2026 08:29

Treelins · 24/09/2026 01:21

in the late 90’s and 2000’s no one wanted a big bum. Crazy how fashions change 😂

Does my bum look big in this? Yes. Slap!
Does my bum look big in this? Yes. Why thank you 🤩

Edited

A bum made big through exercise when combined with a small waist and slim or athletic physique is fashionable now.

A fat arse wasn’t in then or now. Sadly because they’re far more comfy to have.

Sunbringer · 24/09/2026 08:26

I don’t think I would mind if someone was otherwise lovely and we might have a genuine connection. It’s not like you’d be staring at his bum all the time. Most men need a belt because they don’t have hips…

PollyBell · 24/09/2026 08:22

EvieBB · 24/09/2026 07:03

Yeah you're probably right. Sadly for me I'm an apple shape so this doesn't apply to me and my bum is much flatter these days :(
So would definitely would benefit from a booty injection!
Although not advocating it as apparently these injections can be deadly 😳
Better just stick to heavy weights to increase glute muscle mass/bulk (I'm off to Google some videos!) lol.....

So flat chested wonen need to have implants?

Maisymouse2 · 24/09/2026 07:44

Take him as he is.
Dont get to picky or precious.
Some else would take him.

Snoken · 24/09/2026 07:42

It's perfectly fine to not be physically attracted to someone, even if they are a nice person. I am not a fan of non-existent arses either, nor really big ones. Just an average sized one will do.

We all have things that we like and dislike and when choosing a partner it's important to not get it wrong as there's feelings involved on both sides. Some people really wants someone who is the life and soul of the party, others find them annoying. Some people are really into musicians, others are into rugby players. Some can't imagine dating a dog owner, others don't like people who don't like dogs. Whatever it may be, we all have preferences and you have just found one of yours that you probably had never considered before.

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