The Quiet Alpha is, sociologically speaking, something of a hybrid between the an "alpha" an "beta" male. The classic alpha is often seen as that pushy, confident asshole that stole your girlfriend in high school while the classic beta is the quintessential pushover pencil-neck nice-guy-that-finishes-last.
Other kinds of obvious observations can be made.
The alpha attracts top models, one of which he will eventually turn into his trophy wife. He is prone to anger when confronted with his own emotions or those of his mate, and will often respond to even the smallest challenge to his position as Lord Grand Emperor of the Family Unit (after all, it's lonely at the top, isn't it?). This guy exerts a great deal of direct control over his immediate environment, mostly because a) he can, and b) he feels he is the only one qualified to make critical decisions. He is a natural leader, mainly because he doesn't question his own authority too often.
The beta attracts single moms, heavy-set women, low-self-esteem girls or any combination of these. He will easily be carried over by his emotions which will make him clam up and mutter unintelligibly as a confused and melting mess of a man. This beta may also score a woman who will be a little too mothering and turn him into a sad, pathetic overgrown child. The beta will be a little too open-minded, too prone to suggestion and will seem less likely to assert his own authority on any matter, regardless of his own under-stated success. Despite all this, he makes a proper follower, glad to tag along. Though he's a bit jealous of the alpha's popularity and sucess, he won't make a move to become one because "oh, well it's just not in my nature, you know".
Now, you probably see me coming with these clichés.
While the easiest route would be to use the "quarterback and nerd" template, I have found that the dividing line between alpha/beta is not the commonly accepted brain-vs-brawn variable. The real difference between these two characters is... wait for it.... attidude. And attitude is everything (hooo boy).
Well, that being said, as far as the polarized view goes, I beg to differ.
In many things I have always preferred the middle ground to any opposing extremes. To cite a common example: In politics I am neither a left-wing or right-wing partisan, mainly because I know both need their time on the podium, so long as they don't overstay their welcome. I think the same goes for our little alpha-beta friends here: they get to come into their own when the time is ripe. But beyond the easy profiling, there is the attractive possibility of reconciling the two personnality archetypes.
Enter the quiet alpha. Neither pushy or submissive. Assertive enough to speak his mind and dominant in the fields that interest him. He’s both a useful team player and a fair leader. In a relationship, he can be both the protector/provider that women need and still find ways to be the caring romantic that gratifies the emotional side of things but doesn't overindulge. The main difference is how he refuse to allow any of these traits to overtake his whole life. He doesn't necessarily make a show of his qualities, nor does he hide them hoping someone will notice. He doesn't jump to conclusions, nor does he run around in circles trying to overanalyze things. It's a balancing act, one which, if performed correctly, makes him a calm but potent force that can be relied upon by himself and his loved ones.
Strictly speaking, he is a real gentleman. Hell, this guy is a fuckin' prince!
Seems pretty clear-cut, huh? Truth be told, the quiet alpha is an ideal that can never be entirely reached. And the main reason for that is... human nature. We never walk the line long enough to stay in one 'mode' all the time, anyways. But a goal, no matter how lofty, is a goal, and as long as you have that goal to pursue, you stay a healthy human being (I gotta thank old Voltaire for that statement).
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I have to mention that this whole 'quiet alpha' thing is not entirely my idea. It's in fact a meme that developped over the course of late-night/early-morning philosophical discussions with friends and kind of stuck with me long enough to want to write about it.
