The Fake Tough Cut

I think everyone, at least at some point, wants to be considered tough. Maybe it’s just one of those days where you want to look tough. Maybe you go through your whole life trying to be tough. Regardless, we all have experienced it at some point. There are plenty of ways to look tough on purpose. Your clothes, the way you act and what you say are all ways to look tough. There is also an accidental way to look tough. This accidental way is by getting an injury.

It doesn’t matter who you are, anyone walking around with a big cut, a huge Band-Aid, a cast or crutches looks somewhat tough. When I get an injury I see it as an opportunity to look like a tough guy. I remember when I was younger I hurt my finger playing basketball. When I had an x-ray done I prayed for a break so I could get a cast for my hand. If I jammed my finger, it would be wrapped excessively with medical tape so I could look like I led a second life as an underground street fighter. I’m really into this “injuries make you look tough” thing so anytime I get a “Fake Tough Cut” I’m heartbroken. 

Over the weekend I was at the gym playing basketball and I got elbowed in the mouth. I realized I was bleeding shortly after and I thought to myself, “You must look so tough right now.” Naturally I headed over to the bathroom to check out my new tough guy look. When I looked in the mirror I saw there was blood all over my mouth. I was thrilled.

Then reality set in. As I began cleaning the blood off my face I found the source of the “horrific” injury. It was a tiny little cut on my lip. My run as a tough guy was over. One moment I was the toughest kid on campus and the next I was just another guy with a tiny cut.

You have to be ready to spot a “Fake Tough Cut.” There is only one way to preserve your tough look when you get a cut. You have to avoid cleaning the blood off for as long as possible. When the blood is cleaned off, revealing a small pathetic cut, be sure to get the biggest Band-Aid you can find.