I can imagine that it would make you distrustful. If you can't shed a tear over being far from a very sick dad, I don't know when it is allowed, but I know the whole "not crying in the office" applies even to women (perhaps because that's a place where masculine norms are more generalized for women). Not a very reasonable expectation though, as sometimes life just happens even while at work.

Super interesting to hear about European gay male culture actively valuing displays of emotion. Thanks, as always, for weighing in.