Rule No. 1: Exit Strategies

Men like Jason Statham have a cardinal rule.

No, it's not driving fine cars and dating exceptional women. It doesn't even involve handguns or explosives. In fact, it's nothing more than a rather glorified variant of the age-old wisdom, "Look twice before you cross the street." Simple? Yes. Dispensable? Absolutely not.

Picture this: you're walking the streets of Tokyo at three in the morning, covered in rain and the refuse of society. As you saunter down a dark alleyway, you exude the confidence of one who does not know the dangers of such situations. However, you are fully prepared. Why? Because you looked twice before you entered the alleyway, and you'll look again before you proceed into the shadows. Men who excel at anything always have an exit strategy.

This is what Jason Bourne, the Transporter, Marines, and Joseph Smith all have in common. Each can stroll into a room without a backward glance, but they still have the uncanny ability to disappear when the time comes. As men, we must all learn how to get out of a tight situation, while preserving our honor, pride, and the occasional dinner jacket.

Flawless exit strategies can be nearly as varied as the situations that call for them, so an exhaustive approach would be nigh impossible. However, here are a few basic rules that can be applied to many situations.

1.  Never enter unarmed. This is critical, because even the best strategy can be completely nullified by a lack of physical preparation. Train yourself in martial arts, bring a revolver, and pack that extra piece of gum (or garlic) for an iffy date night.

2. Break the rules. You can't get away and obey the speed limit, and you can't avoid dinner plans without calling in a few distractions. Enough said.

3. Stay cool under fire. No matter what happens, stay calm. Whether you're actually under fire or you're desperately searching for a lifeline during afternoon coffee, no one will benefit from screaming and crying. Dry those tears and don't give up.

4. The all-important wingman. Your buddy from work or a lifelong acquaintance will quickly become your best friend after he rescues you against all odds. Always keep him (or possibly her) on speed dial. Finally, make sure you don't forget them; they deserve a soda, fist bump, and even some In-N-Out burger to reward such valiant actions.

Sticking to these basics will catapult you out of the amateur arena and straight to the big leagues. Just be sure to remember one thing. Even though you've hit the big time, you're not an all-star yet; practice makes perfect, and an exit strategy is only one facet of a true man's toolkit.

Godspeed,

MOTMB