Bear or straight?

Details magazine found itself in the midst of controversy earlier this year over its satirical piece "Gay or Asian?" It was part, of a series depicting the fashion crossover between gay dudes and other subcultures, with previous installments including "Gay or Preppy?" and "Gay or Guido?"

But whether or not you were offended by the Details piece, there's no denying that, in this age of metrosexuality, the whole notion of gaydar is getting more difficult to fine-tune.

It works both ways. Next time you're cruising some big hot bruiser at the Apple Store or in line for a roller coaster, you may have to ask yourself, Bear or straight?

[BEAR] [STRAIGHT] [BOTH]

(1) SHADES These bug-eyed numbers don't really flatter anyone besides NASCAR's Jeff Gordon, yet their awfulness somehow adds to the manly allure of this look.

(2) BRAIN Calculating his distance every 18 seconds--from the nearest all-you-can-eat barbecue. Most recent reads: FHM or the Sporting News; a Star Trek novelization; or the instructions to the kick-ass speakers he just bought for his laptop/iPod.

(3) SHIRT Gets fashion tips from Monster Garage because he has the hots for the hosts. Owns a dozen other short-sleeved button-downs just like this one. Mostly plaid. Wears them to work, weddings, and fancy restaurants. Underneath shirt: Tank top or plain white tee. Munsingwear. Bought with Sears credit card. Also in closet: Half a dozen pullovers with logos of various tech-support businesses he's worked for.

(4) GADGETS Either way, he has to have the latest handhelds. All the better for swapping Internet porn.

(5) TATTOOS Sports at least one as a testament to his manliness, despite his aversion to pain or matching Martha Stewart duvet cover and dust ruffle.

(6) SHOES Owns three pairs: big honkin' boots (for work and dressy occasions), flip-flops (for pool or beachside), and New Balance running shoes (for everything else except to run, of course, because he doesn't).

(7) CHEAP BEER Developed a taste at tractor pulls or beer busts. Or both.

IN NETFLIX QUEUE: Walking Tall, Office Space, Field of Dreams; Troy (for Bana, not for Pitt), The Mexican (for Gandolfini), Connie and Carla; Jackass: The Movie.