⚡Most Men Fumble This (Here's How to Nail it)

Knowing how to exit a conversation without awkwardness or offense is a skill most people never master. Here's how to do it with class.

The Golden Rule: Give a reason that's about you, not them. "I need to grab another drink" works better than “I should let you go.”

The Best Exit Lines

At networking events: "I don't want to monopolize your time—I know there are others you should connect with." Why it works: You're being considerate, not dismissive.

At social gatherings: "I'm going to make the rounds, but let's catch up soon." Why it works: Shows interest while creating natural movement.

In long conversations: "I need to grab another drink / use the restroom / check in with my colleague." Why it works: Simple, honest, and gives you a clean exit.

When genuinely interested: "I have to run, but I'd love to continue this. Can I get your contact info?" Why it works: Shows the conversation had value and opens the door for follow-up.

What Not to Do

The Key: How you leave matters as much as how you enter. Most people fumble the exit—don't be most people.

Basics aren’t basics when they’re done right.

The Pitch: Linear Bar promises 20g of organic protein and 12g of fiber without seed oils, sucralose, or artificial ingredients. They claim candy bar taste—peanut butter, caramel, and real dark chocolate—without the gritty texture or chemical aftertaste that plagues most protein bars.

The Test: This is a substantial bar at 2.5 ounces and 270 calories. The dark chocolate is legit, and the texture has just the right amount of chewiness—feels and tastes like an actual candy bar. Perfect as a post-workout protein hit or even split in half for dessert. The sweetness level nails it: enough to satisfy without that artificial sweetener overload that makes your mouth feel weird.

The Verdict: Linear Bar delivers on its promises. Organic ingredients, no seed oils, real chocolate, and 8g net carbs per bar make this a standout in a category full of compromise. It's filling, tastes like an actual treat, and doesn't rely on artificial sweeteners to fake the experience. Worth keeping in your gym bag or desk drawer. You can find Linear Bar at select retailers, Amazon, and direct from their website where you’ll find the best price.  

Tested. Trusted. Mettle-approved.

The Story
Most gins follow the same playbook—neutral grain base, heavy juniper, floral botanicals. Blood Monkey breaks the mold with a malted barley foundation inspired by 17th-century Genever, giving it a viscosity closer to whiskey than traditional gin. The name comes from naval slang for sailors who drilled into officers' barrels to steal their liquor—a fitting tribute for a spirit built to challenge convention.

The Pour
Lavender and candied citrus peel hit first, followed by pepper, rosemary, and lime. The palate delivers herbal complexity with hints of smoke and caramel from that whiskey-style base. Most people don’t drink gin neat, but Blood Monkey really can be a sippin’ gin. 

The Move
Designed for versatility. Drink it chilled and neat to appreciate the full flavor profile, or use it to elevate your G&T and White Negroni game. The malted barley base gives cocktails body and complexity that standard gins can't match.

The Mettle Take
A gin that refuses to play it safe. Blood Monkey respects tradition while pushing flavor boundaries—perfect for anyone tired of the same citrus-juniper routine. At $50, it carries a premium gin price, but it’s unique bottle and one worth having in your bar.

Not the bottle they expect. The one they remember.

Watch: MLB Playoffs
Best reality show on TV. No script, no safety net—just raw pressure and the kind of drama Hollywood can't manufacture. You don't need to be a baseball fanatic to appreciate watching professionals either rise or crumble when everything's on the line.

Listen: Wildflowers by Tom Petty
Eight years since we lost Tom Petty. Wildflowers has been on repeat at Mettle HQ this week—an album that cuts through the noise and reminds you what authentic songwriting sounds like. If it's been a while, put it on.

Read: American History Through a Whiskey Glass by Harris Cooper
Turns out the real story of America is told through bourbon, blues, and backyard BBQ—not dusty textbooks. Cooper connects distilled spirits, cuisine, and music into the kind of history lesson that actually sticks.

Sharpen your downtime.