There are many different ways in which a boy becomes a man, some tribes make their boys get stung by ants for 20 minutes, some cultures relate it to your sexuality, for others it involves a bottle of cider behind the bike sheds… oh the memories.

But there is one thing that all men SHOULD be capable of doing, yet the mere thought of this act sends them cowering like little nancy girls into a corner. So what is this act? Why do most men turn to jelly when forced to do it? And how do you know when a boy has become a REAL man?

I will tell you… this would be a pointless blog post if I didn’t.

The exact moment that a boy becomes a man has nothing to do with body hair or drunken experiences, it is the moment that the person asks his boss for a pay rise.

Society seems to treat this act as a scary, awkward, frightening thing (how convenient), but in reality you have nothing to lose, and would be a fool not to ask for a pay rise/review AT LEAST once per year.

If you accept your current salary then you may be losing out on years and years of increased income.

Let’s presume I am your boss (you wish), if you sit behind your desk for 3 years and never ask me for a rise, then why should I give you one? I will just presume that you are happy.

Remember, your boss is NOT PSYCHIC. He/She may not be aware of your expensive drug habit, or your addiction to 70′s German Porn, so it is your role… no, your right, to make bloody well sure that he/she gives you a review once per year.

So what do you need to do?

Good question!

You need to write down 10 reasons why you think you deserve a pay rise, if you can’t find more than 5 then I recommend you look for a new job. Also ask if they would be willing to introduce an annual review policy.

What is the worst that can happen?

So remember, if you can ask your boss for a pay rise, and keep your head whilst all around you are losing theirs, then yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And–which is more–you’ll be a Man, my son!

Warning: If your boss says no, then I strongly advise that you do NOT kidnap his pet cat. It can turn nasty very quickly.