The Ladies Room

[sg722]

Hey all you women on this forum, this area was made just for us to discuss issues, but no one is posting. If you have any concerns or want to talk about anything, please post. Someone has to start a discussion. Any ideas?

[David Cunningham]

Well, "SG," you are responsible for renaming this forum. When I noticed the double entendré I laughed out loud, especially when the innuendo struck me: "No men allowed." ;-)

[GunsAndRoses]

Hi Roberta!

I know, it's been strangely quiet in here, hasn't it. :-)

Do you have anything bothering you that you want to talk about?

Or maybe we could start a Pet Peeves thread and have fun commiserating about all the little things that bother us women. LOL I'm only saying that because I ran into a HUGE pet peeve of mine today -- I hate it when the person I'm transacting with doesn't make eye contact with me.

Okay, now that I'm thinking about it, I'm really going to start Pet Peeves thread. It sounds like fun, and it can be a place to vent. ;-)

Seriously, though. If there are any issues on your mind, feel free to speak up.

[Steph]

Hi ladies.

I have a pet peeve. It just happened and I'm still seething. I understand my need for drama and it usually hits right before dinner on Sunday afternoons. True to form, both my sons got caught in "stupid" moments and I had my hissy fit. Generally, my husband will put me on a gentle time out (honey, why don't you go read for a bit and I'll handle this). Today, he chastised me in front of my children. That's my pet peeve. I hate it when he acts as if I'm wrong for being mad that my sons can't follow simple instructions. So I told him off. Here comes pet peeve number two. Instead of standing up to me (the "David" response), he retreated to his man cave.

Now I'm peeved because my husband is acting like a wuss. At least my sons knew enough to acknowledge the screw up and fix it.

Grrrrrrrr...

But, Lucy, about your pet peeve, I agree. As a teacher, I try very hard to look my students in the eye when I speak with them and expect the same in return (I also have them "unplulg" the ipod wires from their ears). As a part-time Borders bookseller, I try to do the same with my customers. They really don't like t hat, for the most part, because if they do meet my gaze, I'm a human being and not some automaton they can abuse.

[Suzzie_Edwards]

Hi, ladies.

Nice to "see" you.

How about leaving the lights on?? ...only to get the response of "I was going back in there," AFTER they had already sat down in the other room.

ARG!!

Suzzie

[David Cunningham]

How about leaving the lights on?? ...only to get the response of "I was going back in there," AFTER they had already sat down in the other room.

I'm not supposed to post in here, but good grief, I have to say something here. Guys, don't lie when you do something absent-minded like that, especially a really stupid lie like "I was going back in there," after you've settled yourself into a chair. Do you have any clue what that says about you and your view of your wife? It says you're a liar and a coward, and it also says that you actually think your wife is stupid enough to believe something like that. The first two are bad in her eyes and should be bad in your own, but the third is nothing short of pure insult, and definitely NOT something you say to a woman whom you are supposed to LOVE. To love is to value, right? Do you value stupid? No, so you're saying to her that you think she's stupid enough to believe a lame lie like that and therefore don't think much of her. Bad move, gents. Very, VERY bad move.

Sorry Ladies, but as I said, I had to say something here. Listening to someone of either gender tell a really stupid lie like that is one of my pet peeves. Getting off my stump now... ;-)

[sg722]

Hey David,
Can we clone you and give one to every woman? I think if half of the men out there had your insight, the world would be a much better place.

[Steph]

Dear sg722,

Isn't that the truth!!! But, I have to say, when my husband acts in the David manner, woooooo weeeee... Good times... <big grin>

[Barbara]

Oh, I think he would love that. Having his little clones out there making all the "normal" men look bad...or maybe just trying to get them to rise to the challenge. Yeah, that's it...getting them to rise to the challenge. Go for it

[GunsAndRoses]

As long as we're cloning things, I'd like to order a few copies of myself...

[David Cunningham]

Oh, I think he would love that. Having his little clones out there making all the "normal" men look bad...or maybe just trying to get them to rise to the challenge. Yeah, that's it...getting them to rise to the challenge. Go for it

You gals are just hell-bent on having me talking in here, aren't you? ;-)

I don't want anyone to look bad and I can't make anyone look bad. They do that perfectly well by themselves. However, I would like to have an army of clones to teach the rest of the male world that rising to the challenge is enjoyable and will make them feel fulfilled whether they conquer or not, simply because they met it and did their best. Not fully meeting the challenge is a sign that you were unprepared, not that you were a failure. There is no such thing as failure when you make a genuine, heroic effort to do something that realistically can be expected to work.

[Steph]

Originally posted by David: "There is no such thing as failure when you make a genuine, heroic effort to do something that realistically can be expected to work."

Ha! Tell that to the bookcase I just tried to put together. I made a genuine, heroic effort to figure out what all the stupid tools, pictures and bits of metal were and how they go together and half the bookcase fell apart on me.

Pet Peeve #37: Why aren't "put it together" directions written so tool and bits of metal illiterate women like myself can actually follow them?

Oh, well. At least I got three shelves to be functional...

[Barbara]

Oh yes! Directions need to be in a written language I understand, not all those stupid pictures that are supposed to make sense. Men don't read the instructions, so maybe the pictures are for them.

Let's see, pet peeves....Leaving the recyclables on the counter above the recycle bin. Bend over and open the lid, insert recyclable item, close lid. Thank you.

[Steph]

Originally posted by Barbara: "Men don't read the instructions, so maybe the pictures are for them."

This reminds me of a most funny story...

About 8 years ago, I was teaching at a junior high school and I was the only woman in a Social Studies department of four men. As we drove back to school, we were sharing what books we were reading. I read romance novels and they all started teasing me. I knew they meant it as good sport, but it had been about going on for about 4 months and I was getting a little sick of it. So, as the razzing started, I simply asked, "So, guys...how many of you have looked at girlie magazines? Huh?" Four sets of ears turned VERY red and conversation ceased. "Guys, I don't need pictures!"

No one ever teased me again about reading romance novels.

But, good news on the bookcases. While I destroyed the first one, I learned from my mistakes and put the second one together beautifully. Yay me!

But, pet peeve #5: saying your working and really you're goofing off on your computer. My husband wrote the play book for this one and, while he's getting better, it still bugs me to no end.

Steph

[Barbara]

Funny. Now they'll think you're getting turned on every time you're just hanging out reading your book.

Pet Peeve: Saying that you're going to do something, and never doing it. Or asking me to call someone for you. Pick up the phone. You know what questions you want to ask, I don't, and if I do make the call, don't get ticked at me because I didn't ask the questions you wanted answered. Do it yourself.

[Steph]

Well, they didn't believe me when I told them I read romance novels because I enjoy reading about relationships and happy endings (if I want bad endings, I can read the paper or literature). Great sex scenes are just a bonus! <wink>

I know what you mean about your pet peeve. I ask my husband to do this all the time, mostly because I'm just lazy or feeling anti-social. He gives me "the look" and I get my butt in gear. Or, I decide whatever I want to know isn't that important and I just don't call.

I'm going to switch the pet peeve concept to the flip side...things I really appreciate about my husband. We've had weekend guests since Friday and I don't consider myself a good hostess. I lack the calm, go with the flow gene, required to be a good hostess. My husband, despite being inundated with work and homework, has made sure I've kept my wits about me.

So "pet positive" #1: I appreciate that my husband helps me stay sane when I need to do something I don't feel I'm good at.

Steph

[Barbara]

I had a boyfriend, who, when I was caring full time for my father, he was visiting one day, disappeared for a while and when I found him, he was cleaning the garage. i just about cried with gratitude. It was a beautiful thing.