XX Vs. XY
I’ve never described myself as a manly man, and I’m pretty certain that everyone who knows me would agree with that. As I have become a more-or-less responsible adult, however, I have begun to feel the pull of machismo. Part of this stems from the need to learn to fix things to save money. But it also seems to be a natural, inevitable process most guys seem to go through. And when I successfully fix something on the car, for example, it leads to a great sense of accomplishment.
Here’s a case in point. Down the street a ways, somebody is selling an old jeep. I don’t know exactly how old it is, how much they want for it, or even if it’s in running condition. And I certainly don’t need another car (although maybe it would end up more reliable than the ones we have, given our recent troubles). But something inside me is begging to call that number and find out. I’ve always wanted a jeep. I don’t know why. They aren’t very comfortable to ride in, and they probably get terrible gas mileage.
So here’s the question: Are we hard-wired with tendencies toward certain behavior? Do women feel an uncontrollable urge to put on makeup and impractical footwear?
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Comments
I am sure that there are dozens of more questions I should be asking, but I don't know I should.
1. High heels are elongating and make you look skinnier. They hurt and are uncomfortable, but I will still wear them on occasion.
2. We go to the bathroom in groups so we can talk about you.
3. We shouldn't have to ask--you should just know. :) (That's the stock answer, though I usually will ask if I want/need something done.)
4. Body language. Learn it, and you'll know half of our secrets.
Women wear high heels because men like them to and this has been shown for decades and decades. I highly doubt that if it weren't for that, women would one day just up and want to put thin tall pegs on the bottoms of their shoes. same goes for make up, i guess. we're taught that we should be pretty.
the going to the bathroom in packs... i'm not sure. I think that's more of a teenager thing.
i think this is because my husband i are quite unstereotypical (a-stereotypical?) regarding our genders. Not in every way, but a lot.
It also helps that some characteristics can be shared by groups of people. I served my mission in Korea and I could see that most Americans reacted to certain situations in the same way, and Koreans reacted in an entirely separate way. It was generally the same and it could be traced solely on nationality.
i have done zero research on this but i really do think high heels came about because men liked them. why? maybe they do make you look skinnier and longer but they hurt like heck too. no, men like(d) them because they make it so you stick out your rear end. it's totally true.