Quote Originally Posted by Cilia View Post
I'd have to say the main reason people dislike him is because they don't (or can't) appreciate his boyish charm. He's kind, earnest, and helpful, and... not everyone likes that in a character.
I worded (admittedly) it badly, but this is what I meant by "proper masculine stereotypes." He's... not properly masculine. It's not an appearance thing so much as he doesn't behave the way a grown man "should," and doesn't have "youth" as an excuse like Alphinaud. He's a character type that is very often killed in more cynical works to show the (presumed) consequences of deviating from the masculine ideal, hence my apprehension since 5.0, since FFXIV used to aspire to that kind of cynicism.

I'm not trying to single anyone out, these are common cultural biases. TV Tropes is bad for you, man.