Are they really as different as we think?
Men. An interesting topic to observe...aka my manservations. As a young female who has been running the dating scene for 19 years (ugh, seriously that is almost 2 full decades) I still fall under the same spells as I did when I waited by the phone for my 16 year old boyfriend to call me for the first time. What is that? I hate not being able to figure something unknown out. So, I've decided to begin making observations...specifically manservations. I figure that if I observe enough of their behavior, I'll eventually have an epiphany and I will hold the secrets of what we, woman, need to know in order to continue co existing with these creatures.
My hypothesis...they are not any different than we are. In fact, we are very much a like, which is why we haven't figured each other out. We expect to find some hidden treasure double locked with the male secrets and vice versa.
Here is what I do know:
I know the female species pretty well, considering I have been one for 28 years. We really aren't these complicated creatures that we seem to be portrayed as. On Saturday, sitting around a pool, drinking margaritas with my best girlfriends reminded me of this. There were 5 woman together, all of different size, different personality, and all from a different background. 6 hours by the pool says a lot about the type of people we are. Did we talk about getting pedicures, when our next hair appointment was, what we wore on our last night out, losing weight, you know the typical "girly" stuff? Of course, we are girls after all. After that, just about every topic was a go. We gossiped, we discussed the "boys" in our lives in detail to the point of embarrassment (had we been with anyone else but each other), techniques, bodily functions, the "what not to do" series, basically anything under the sun was up for discussion, jokes, and of course ammunition. At some points, I thought to myself if we are talking about these things, could the male species be doing the same? What happens during their own male bonding time? I don't know, but I'm willing to do some research to find out.
Manservation 1:
The above group of subjects are the youngest in our observation. They range from the youngest at 9 with the oldest at 10. These could be your all American good boys. They come from good homes, make good grades, have been best friends since they were 5, and are your athletes. Subjects have been viewed in many different situation, however, best observations comes from being trapped in the small confines of a moving vehicle. Well, the road trip was blessed with discussions of who picks their nose in class, who has a girlfriend, if the girlfriend picks their nose in class, is there gas passed, if so, what kind was it, did it smell, can you smell mine, etc. It was disgusting. Then it slowed down after all the giggling subsided and some real conversation began. They talked about their friend that kissed so and so, their dad that hit another man at Red Robin once, their favorite school subjects, movies, songs. They talked about everything and actually never stopped talking until each of the boys were dropped off at their front door...of course, not without a fart to think about them with.
Although, on a much more subdued level, these little male creatures weren't too different from my own girlfriends. Hmmmm...we may be on to something here.
Although, on a much more subdued level, these little male creatures weren't too different from my own girlfriends. Hmmmm...we may be on to something here.
Manservation 2
Middle School Aged Boys will become my manservation 2. These are truly a complicated group of species. They certainly look older and bigger than the first manservation, but are they any different? Let's see. I'm not sure if it's considered a privilege or it is considered punishment, but I've been stuck in locker rooms and small confinements of buses with this group of subjects. What occurs: gas passing, towel swatting, your mama insults, and a long line of profanity. Of course, when I observed the one on one situations their conversations were getting scarily close to my own types of conversations. Getting something here....
So, keeping with the grouping, review the next 2 manservations, high school graduates and a grown man.
Manservation 3
Girl talk - check, discussion of gas - check, jokes about inappropriate things - check, gossip about friends - check, taking forever to get ready - check.
Manservation 4
These species, called grown men are still unknown to me. I have been around many, but have yet to figure this out. Still need time to research. Will get back to you on this one!
What I did learn? "Boys" aren't much different than females. Breaking it down helped me realize that the only reason we feel they are complicated comes from the unknown. Now, girls can rest assured, that they aren't doing anything wrong! Nice!
