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Conference quark::mennotes-v1

Title:Topics Pertaining to Men
Notice:Archived V1 - Current file is QUARK::MENNOTES
Moderator:QUARK::LIONEL
Created:Fri Nov 07 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 26 1993
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:867
Total number of notes:32923

178.0. "How soon is Now" by XCELR8::POLLITZ () Mon Nov 09 1987 04:13

    I have aways considered character and attitude important human
    qualities. Self respect is the important terminal value and
    honesty the important instrumental ( day by day ) one.
      Given the complex demands life presents, and the noticible
    changes that have occurred the past 2 decades, I can see that
    ideas like dynamic equality and egalitarian societies(etc) are
    worthy of consideration and in many instances assimilated into
    society.  I can understand equal pay for equal work and such.
    I can even understand statistical incongruities such as the
    construction business say 97% male, or nursing an opposite
    stat.  Yes, there are stastical peaks and valleys on a wide
    variety of subjects, some understandable, others less so.
    I will now cite one subject whose valley I do not understand.
    
                             DATING
    
       From age 18 to 29(now), no woman has ever asked me out for
    a bona-fide date.  I consider it par for the course that I've
    taken out a number of women and after a time they initiate
    places to go, things to do.  My beef is that women apparently
    still avoid making the INITIAL REQUEST, to get the ball rolling
    so to speak.  I tend to think that women dodge the issue to ASK
    by having friends set up the 2 parties, joining a dating service,
    giving signs, etc.  While I can't fault such actions, that is not
    the question here.  Is a woman's inability to ask men out a problem
    or not?  Is it HEALTHY?  
    
                           4000 days:
    
    1976: 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
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    1977  000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
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    1979  000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
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    1980  000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
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    1981  000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
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    1982  000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
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    1983  000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
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    1984  000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
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    1986
          0 - 365.
    
    1987  0 - 310.
    
        I suppose you see my point.  Since other countries (ie Far East,
    3rd World) are much more TRADITIONAL than the U.S. the 'CONDITIONING
    excuse' should hardly hold here, certainly not past age 23 (or so).
    People DO have NEO-CORTEXES (ie 'can think'),yes?  SO they CAN ASK,
    right?  But they don't.  So what's going on - what's involved here?
    I'm no doubt speaking for a lot of men regarding these VAST stretches
    of NOTHINGNESS.  Since men are every bit as much a PRIZE as a woman,
    why aren't we RESPECTED enough to be ASKED OUT as we ask them out?
    Even a 2 or 3 to 1 ratio would be a dramatic (nationwide) event
    yes?  To FUEL the fire, what might be involved here is the perception
    of man as a kind of ravenous lustful, threatening beast, while the
    fact is, such is not the case at all. for such things are rule
    exceptions.  Throwing that out (and logically so), it seems the
    problem is one of an attitude problem.  Or worse - a character
    flaw.  ANYHOW, it seems women aren't as INTERESTED in men as we'd
    like to think. Otherwise it makes sense that such interest would
    be clearly SHOWN.  As Eliza Doolitle tells a dreaming suitor in
    MY FAIR LADY, "show me".    SHOW ME.
    
                                             Not pleased,
                                                     Russ P.     
                                                                                                                        
                                                                   
         
    
    
         
      
                                                                   
                        
    
    
    
                                    
    
    
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178.1Just two things to say...PATSPK::AMARTINVanna & me are a numberMon Nov 09 1987 04:402
    1. Don your flack jacket.....
    2. Ask sheer hype.....
178.2Who are you blaming?ANGORA::WOLOCHNancy WMon Nov 09 1987 15:091
    Maybe you are a difficult person to approach?????
178.4Funny, I understand the authors pointSTING::BARBERSkyking Tactical ServicesMon Nov 09 1987 17:4834
    
     Well if women *ARE* aware that the "old, archaic" dating patterns
     are NOW passea, then why aren't more of them setting up ways to
     get together with a man that their interested in ???
    
     Since the standard method is now so bogus, it would be 
     interesting to see examples, actual or purposed of just 
     how a woman would set up a get together (date, coffee
     ect, what ever you wish to call it) with a man that shes 
     interested in getting to know.
    
     The mans got a legitimate question though, and his thoughts
     are in line with todays new society. For, you see that the
     old headset of the man *MUST* ask the woman is still the 
     standard. This is the way it is, whether you believe it or not.
     But now were told, irregardless, that the old tried and true 
     method of being straightforward and asking a person out is
     no good now, and this applys to either asking the other out.
    
     Still, in this day and age of enlightenment though, it still
     appears that a man MUST be the one to ask out the woman as the
     only way for it to happen. Why ? because the opposite of a woman
     asking a man out just isn't happening. This could lead one to believe,
     that there might be a big confidence problem out there( and before you
     get all bent, and blast me, face it we as men have been there a
     LOT more and longer than you.
    
     But then of course some women would say this is because some of us men
     have an attitude problem. Yup , Ill admit I have one alright, its called
     being a man and not some roll over wussy that will yes you to death 
     and jumps when you snap your fingers. No, I am what I am and there
     are those that do appreciate that.
    
                                      Bob B   
178.5MOSAIC::MODICAMon Nov 09 1987 18:019
    It is  the inherent sexism of the feminist movement! Women want
    equality where it suits them, period. When it comes to asking men
    out, serving in the armed forces, and men having a truly equal
    chance to have custody of their children in a divorce, no thanks,
    they say, the system works just fine as is. 
    
    Yet another example of the double standard at work.
    
    
178.6Done plenty of asking (and some refusals)SSDEVO::YOUNGERThere are no misteakesMon Nov 09 1987 18:247
    I don't believe I am *that* much of an exception, but during my
    dating days, I did at least as much asking as I did accepting.
    
    Perhaps you are unapproachable, or don't appear as "the type" to
    the women who would/do ask men out.
    
    Elizabeth
178.7Green-Light-SignalsFDCV03::ROSSMon Nov 09 1987 19:0323
    I'm not sure that *some* women aren't already asking out *some* men
    (without the double negatives, I mean that some women are already
    asking some men to go out on "dates").
    
    Perhaps the reluctance of some women to ask some men for dates,
    indeed, has something to do with a woman's fear of being rejected.
    We, as males, are familiar with that fear. One way that we tried
    to avoid it when we were boys, was to try to get "green-light signals"
    from the girl we wanted to date, before we actually asked her out.
    (Maybe I shouldn't use the word "we". "I" tried to get some signals
    from the girl before I asked her out. If there were signals, her
    response was far more predictable.) 
    
    Possibly, we, as men, need to put out our own "green-light-signals"
    to those women whom we would like to ask us out. I'd like to think
    that if a woman were attracted to me, and she knew that I'd be inclined
    to say "yes" if she asked me for a date, then she'd not hesitate
    to ask in this day and age.        
    
    Of course, there are many different traits we have (or don't have)
    that make us attractive to women.
    
      Alan
178.8don your blast armor...GUNSTK::AMARTINVanna & me are a numberTue Nov 10 1987 02:523
    RE: 4,5 
    	How true, how true....
        love it!
178.11HUH?GUNSTK::AMARTINVanna & me are a numberTue Nov 10 1987 06:086
    RE:10
     Who's to say that "his" issues are unimportant?
     (quote) "your 'pet' issues."
     ALL issues that involve some sort of discrimination ARE IMPORTANT!
     Furthermore, the draft and child custody HAVE A LOT TO DO WITH
     IT.
178.14read my monitor....GUNSTK::AMARTINVanna & me are a numberTue Nov 10 1987 07:462
    RE: .13
    The ol' double standards.... thats what!
178.15MOSAIC::MODICATue Nov 10 1987 13:0439
    Re: .10 and others....
    
    I enjoyed your entry, but I do wonder just what it is you were
    rebutting. 
    
    >"You bitch endlessly about women blaming men.."<
     Oh? When I express a point of view I'm bitching endlessly.
    
    I guess I'll bitch some more then. The feminist movement is sexist!
    If feminists were truly concerned with equality, their efforts would
    be targeted at all inequalities, not just those concerned with women.
    They do not have anything to say about present methods being used
    in child custody cases. I don't see them pushing for equality as
    far as the draft is concerned. I see very little change taking place
    in the dating game. The Lalonde case is a good example of misguided
    efforts by so-called women support groups. At this writing, the
    case has NOT been decided by our courts. Guilt or innocence has
    not been decided yet. But that does not stop womens' groups from
    throwing their support behind Virgina Lalonde. Why??? Because
    she's a woman. 
    
    I read a lot about the patrairchal society we have, or the male
    dominated supreme court. I've read these phrases in womannotes.
    I don't deny their validity either. But those that are using these phrases
    are making distinctions and drawing conclusions based on sex. Isn't
    that a little hypocritical?
                
    And finally,
    >After we [women] have achieved equitable treatment in our culture, many
    of *YOUR* pet issues will be resolved at the same time.<
    
    I think that this statement accurately reflects the inherent flaws
    of the present feminist movement. 
    
    Those are my views. I look forward to hearing yours and others.
    
    					Hank
    
     
178.17Why Is It Surprising?FDCV03::ROSSTue Nov 10 1987 14:0931
    RE: .15
    
    I don't think there's anything inherently evil about the fact that
    feminist organizations are primarily concerned with issues relating
    to women. After all, the American Cancer Society raises funds for
    cancer research, the Heart Fund for heart disease research, the
    Muscular Dystrophy Foundation for muscular dystrophy research, etc.
    Why should men be surprised that "women's groups" are fighting first
    for "women's causes".  
    
    As for divorce and child custody issues, men have been losing custody
    of their children in divorce cases long before women's groups came
    into existence. Our current divorce and custody laws were formulated
    long ago by virtually all-male legislators, judges, and attorneys.
    If we men do not like the way these laws work, then we should try
    to get the laws changed.
    
    I think sometimes men get so peeved about women's groups, because men
    see that women have effectively organized themselves to fight for 
    their rights. To be sure, there are some male-issue groups which
    have been established, but because of lack of support and membership
    by most men in American society, they are politically and socially 
    impotent. NOTES may be a good place to vent frustrations, but if
    men want to effect changes in the laws, they're going to have to
    do more than piss and moan in these Conferences.
    
    And regarding women and the draft, what draft? There hasn't been
    one in America for years, nor is it likely there will be one again.
    Men, when they bring this non-issue up, are wasting their energies. 
     
      Alan  
178.18Saturday Night's All RightFDCV03::ROSSTue Nov 10 1987 14:197
    RE: .12
    
    Suzanne, you're very welcome, and thank *you*.
    
    BTW, did you ask about Saturday night?? :-) :-)
    
      Alan
178.19STOKES::WHARTONTue Nov 10 1987 16:5311
    There are still many many men who are still not comfortable with women
    asking them out. They still think that initiating a date is aggressive
    behaviour and they do not quite know how to deal with "aggressiveness."
    The fault does not lie with *all* men. Just some men. There were times
    when I figured that I'd be bold and assertive. Ha! The men reacted as
    though my biological clock was ticking faster than normal and that it
    was their duty to slow it down just a bit... 
    
    I usually  don't come right out and say, "John Jones, would you like to
    go to the movies with me Saturday night?"  Like someone said mentioned
    earlier, I'd test the waters first. I'd look for a green-light. 
178.20Not to meCURIE::RESKERTue Nov 10 1987 17:3624
    I've never been asked out by a female.  I don't consider myself
    unapproachable either, at least no less approachable than most
    females.  I think that woman are comfortable with the "tradition"
    that it's the men who who make the first move.  Hey, I don't blame
    them.
    
    I would be flattered to have a woman ask me out.  I wouldn't consider
    it "aggressiveness" per se.  I have had women (strangers) ask me
    to dance, but that's easy.  Let's face it, when women/men realize
    that a sexual tradition favors them, then they're not going to fight.
    
    About the green light signals.  This usually doesn't work unless
    you can read minds.  I find it tough to differentiate between 
    a woman who is just plain old friendly and one who is "interested"
    in me.  Some are just interested in finding out if you're interested
    enough to ask them out, then they say no.   Most signals which you
    think (hope) are green turn out to be yellow.  Yellow signals mean
    you should proceed with caution (ie. stop) or if you're immune to
    rejection jump on the loud pedal and cross the intersection (but
    be prepared to get sideswiped).Now there are some signals
    which are definately green..........
                                   
    tim
    
178.21CSSE::CICCOLINITue Nov 10 1987 18:4980
re 178.15  MOSAIC::MODICA


>If feminists were truly concerned with equality, their efforts would
>be targeted at all inequalities, not just those concerned with women.

I believe the efforts of feminists ARE targeted at all inequalities.
Child abuse as an issue was not brought to light by men or by children.

Current drunk driving laws have a woman's group as a STRONG driving (no 
pun intended), force, MADD.

And women's groups are SUPREMELY sensitive to racist issues - issues
that apply equally to men and women.  Many, many true feminists eschew
the word in favor of "humanist".  I've seen the differentiation discussed
even here in notes.

>I don't see them pushing for equality as far as the draft is concerned. 

I don't see many MEN fighting FOR the draft in any form whatsoever
either!  There ARE women fighting for the right to the more "macho" jobs
in the military however, the combat ones.  And to be honest, I believe
that one of the prime arguments AGAINST the ERA was by male legislators
who believe that ERA means women will be drafted as well.  THEY, the legis-
lators, decided that was no go.  Women didn't.

>The Lalonde case is a good example of misguided efforts by so-called women 
>support groups. At this writing, the case has NOT been decided by our courts. 
>Guilt or innocence has not been decided yet. But that does not stop womens' 
>groups from throwing their support behind Virgina Lalonde. Why??? Because
>she's a woman. 

You are sadly misguided in this issue.  The women's group threw their
support behind a child they were convinced was abused and in danger of 
further abuse.  Were Nicole Lalonde a little boy instead, the women would 
have been there just as strong, I guarantee it.

And the REASON they threw their support behind the child is because the
child does not deserve to be subjected to continual abuse while waiting
for the courts to decide guilt or innocence.  The courts are NOT like the 
Hanes Inspector 22 - "This child isn't abused until I say she's abused"

I don't believe these women care one iota for laying blame or deciding guilt 
or innocence.  They operate to protect the children the law is either unable 
or unwilling to protect and I don't think they even care which it is.  God 
bless them.  Think on this again, please and don't assume this is an under-
ground "kaffe klatch" of bored housewives just waiting to band together 
against a man - any man.  Virginia Lalonde asked that her child be protected 
against abuse while they decided guilt or innocence.  When the court said no, 
she did what any human would do when they perceived their child was in danger -
protect him or her at all costs.

Now as to why women don't ask men out more -

I asked out a man in my Chemistry class once.  He looked like Cat Stevens
and I simply wanted to get to know him, no strings attached.  He said yes, 
but he was SO nervous when we were out I couldn't stand it.  I think he ex-
pected to be raped or roped into marriage or something.  Lots of guys SAY
they'd be flattered but in actuality many of them are squeamish about the
woman's intentions, (such as one other reply who said men thought her bio
clock must be working overtime!).  It's true.  Men often assume you are
desperate for love, sex, marriage and/or kids and at some point in the date 
they invariably ask a form of the question, "Why would someone like you have 
to ask a MAN out?"  Pretty interesting question coming from a guy who DIDN'T 
ask you out!

And I've found men are much more interested in you if they've pursued you.
I think it's a feeling of control of the situation, of conquest, and the 
old "meat that's fleet on the hoof", (the woman just out of reach), being 
more desirable.

I believe men want to be asked out to broaden their social lives, expand
their sexual possibilities, enjoy a few free nights out and turn the tables 
for once on women.  But when they think very seriously about their ideal 
woman, the one they want to fall in love with, she won't be the one
walking up to them saying, "So, would you like to have dinner with me
on Saturday?"

And we women know it.
    
178.22VIKING::MODICATue Nov 10 1987 19:296
    RE: .0	Sorry if I steered the topic off course.
    
    REL .21	Thanks for the reply. You offer some very good points
    		for consideration. I'm not sure if I agree with you
    		about the Lalonde case, but it should probably be
    		continued elswhere. Still, thanks for the info.
178.23RANCHO::HOLTLet's remove the heartTue Nov 10 1987 19:347
    
    re .21
    
    So, the lesson for men is, if you want social interaction
    with women, you have to follow the traditional mores.
    Males have the rejection burden, females the waiting-for
    -the-phone-to-ring one. Even if you are an exception...
178.24Unfortunately, today, yes. It's still that way.CSSE::CICCOLINITue Nov 10 1987 19:5219
    Getting asked out takes work sometimes, too!  You can't make 
    women ask you out even if you wear a T-shirt that says, "I'm 
    an exception".
    
    The woman who asks you out will be the exception.  Why wait?
    
    You guys need to learn a few of the "green light" signals women
    use to GET asked out by a specific person.  Talking music almost
    always works if you have a genuine interest and happen to know of 
    a place where so-and-so is playing on a certain night.  
    
    Depending on how enthusiastic I sound about this particular event, 
    this kind of bait is nearly always taken by a guy.   Even a shy guy 
    would say, "Are you going to go?  Well, maybe I'll see you there!".  
    More often though, it's, "Sounds like fun.  If you're free would
    you like to go?"  
    
    Bingo.
    
178.25Probably cheaper too.HYDRA::LYMANVillage IdiotTue Nov 10 1987 20:287
    Re: .-1
    
    	Yeh your approach sounds like it may work ok.  At least its
    	gotta be better than my usual stapling dollar bills to my trousers.
    
    
    	Jake
178.26I think guys are pretty brave to try ;-)YAZOO::B_REINKEwhere the sidewalk endsTue Nov 10 1987 23:154
    It has been a long time....but women do give out *lots* of signals
    if they want a guy to ask them out....and my honest opinion is that
    it is pretty scarey to try....I did ask a guy out once in high school
    and the getting shot down hurt pretty awful. 
178.27Dates by negociation ?RDGE00::BOOTHAh, but I was older then ...Wed Nov 11 1987 08:1313
    I'm a shy sort of bloke - I find it *very* hard to ask for a date at
    all and I've almost never done it.  I've also never been asked out.
    Most dates seem to arise out of a convoluted form of negociated
    arrangements bound by lots of 'ifs' and 'maybes', but in the end
    the arrangements have been made.  I haven't had a lot of dates but,
    maybe because of the awkward way they get made, there always seems
    to be a second, third, etc. to follow because it takes a certain amount
    of attraction to get through the 'game'.

    Does this sound familiar to anyone else ?  I mean how do other 'shy'
    blokes get over the 'asking for a date' hurdle ?  What exactly is a
    'date' anyway ?
178.28AKOV04::WILLIAMSWed Nov 11 1987 12:4920
    	Fascinating!  The double standard many women rightly argue against
    in our U.S. society appears to be acceptable to some of the same
    women when it comes to the dating ritual.  
    
    	I have never been directly asked out by a woman.  I have been
    asked out indirectly (the 'signals' discussed in other responses
    to this topic).  I don't mind at all that women do not directly
    ask me out (should I have written 'did not ask ...'?).  But I am
    amazed how few women (it seems like a few) do ask men out.  What
    has happened?  I honestly believed the women of the '80s were more
    libereated in this area.  Apparently, I was mistaken.
    
    	Taking the lead in this area opens you up to the pain of rejection
    but it also opens you up to the pleasure of success.  The rejection
    aspect of being the one to do the asking is difficult for many men
    to accept.  In fact, based on my friends and associates, most find
    it very difficult.  But I always look on it as one of life's learning
    experiences - one I suggest women and men should experience.
    
    Douglas
178.30you sound sarcastic, not "fascinated"CSSE::CICCOLINIWed Nov 11 1987 14:1939
RE: Note 178.28  AKOV04::WILLIAMS


>Fascinating!  The double standard many women rightly argue against
>in our U.S. society appears to be acceptable to some of the same
>women when it comes to the dating ritual.  

>I honestly believed the women of the '80s were more libereated in this 
>area.  Apparently, I was mistaken.
 
I think the discussion was centering on men's reactions as our reasons
for not asking them out more.  Not that we'd rather NOT be liberated in
this area and would prefer to just wait, painting our nails by the phone
for some guy to DARE call us.  Puleeze.  Put your stereotypes away.

Go back and read the 2 replies from women who DID ask men out.  Both men, 
(mine was one), were jumpy and nervous and both expected we had only sex, 
marriage and/or children on our minds, needed a man, any man, to help
us out in that area, and obviously couldn't get one to ask US out.

Would you willingly initiate dates if you thought they would be thinking
this way about you?  Also, when a man feels he's with a "desperate"
woman, he tends to be less respectful of her if you catch my drift.
To a woman who just wants to "BE liberated", who just wants to give a
guy a break and get to know him, the atmosphere of the date can come
as a bit of a shock.  It did to me.  The guy thought he had it made in
the shade with this "desperate" lady.  My asking HIM out ruined any
    chance at friendship.

No thanx.  No matter how liberated we women are, men STILL prefer to
be the pursuer when they think of their ideal woman.  Any other woman
outside of that mold is in another category in their minds - a category
most women don't want to willingly place themselves in.  THAT'S the
reason.  It's not because we aren't liberated. it's because men aren't.

Many still tend to see women as either good for marrying or good for everything 
else but.
    
178.31small but important point...CSSE::CICCOLINIWed Nov 11 1987 14:2612
    We should probably differentiate between asking out a relative 
    stranger as opposed to asking out a "known quantity" so to speak.
    
    When friendship is already established the problem no longer exists
    because the guy already knows you.  If you're just some girl in
    a class or in a bar or on a plane, etc, if the guy accepts he's
    usually bursting inside like John Laroquette on Night Court, down
    on his knees thanking his deity for his great, good fortune and
    searching for his Binaca.  Gag.
    
    PS: Laroquette plays the character FABULOUSLY well.  I LOVE to watch
    him.
178.32AKOV04::WILLIAMSWed Nov 11 1987 15:2122
    Ms Civvolini:
    
    	You appear to be quite quick to attack.  The experiences
    you refer to have been experienced by men as well.
    
    	You may read into my response whatever you wish.  You may also
    spend as much time as you wish painting your toenails.  You stated
    your position and experience in an earlier response.  I responded
    to the words of you and others - as they were understood by me.
    
    	I would suggest you might find life a great deal more entertaining
    if you devoted a bit more time to attempts to understand both sides
    of the male female experience.  Your dating experience is not unique
    to women.  Also, given how infrequently women ask men out, is the
    male response you experienced so surprising? 
    
    	I don't particulary care if women ask men out.  I am simply
    surprised that fewer of the U.S. women in these more liberated times
    take this initiative.
    
    Douglas
    		
178.33Horsepucky!!ANGORA::BUSHEEGeorge BusheeWed Nov 11 1987 15:3213
    
    	RE: .30
    
    	Come on now Sandy, you argue men are using stereotypes and then
    	you turn right around and do the same thing by saying all men
    	see women this way...   Give me a break!!!!!!
    
    	If a woman was to ask me out I'd think no different than if
    	I had been the one asking.
    
    	BTW, I've heard plenty of women say they didn't want this role
    	to change, seems they don't like the idea of dealing with the
    	rejection.
178.34CURIE::RESKERWed Nov 11 1987 15:3522
    re.31	How do you know that a man who's been asked out by woman
    always thinks that the woman is desperate?  Have you asked every
    single man who's been asked out by a woman or are you making a
    GENERALIZATION (which by the way is okay to make so long as you're
    not a white male).  Why do go to all extremes to correct female
    stereotypes then in the same breath make one about males?
    
    		It sounds like your gross generalization is just an
    excuse.  Whenever someone (male OR female) asks someone of the
    opposite sex out for a date, there is always the thought that goes
    through that persons mind "Oh God, I wonder what he/she will think when
    I ask  him/her out for date.  Will he/she blow me off or think I'm
    desperate".
    
    		It ain't to ask someone out on a date, REGARDLESS of
    sex.  I'm not going to say that females should take a more aggressive
    stance in asking men out.  I will say that if you want to sit around
    and wait for someone to ask you out, then fine.  I you want to get
    more aggressive, then that's fine also.  Just don't tell me what
    all men think when they get asked out by women.
    
    tim
178.35Repeat until fadeHPSCAD::WALLI see the middle kingdom...Wed Nov 11 1987 15:4911
    
    Well, now all we need is Suzanne Conlon to come in and tell us that
    Sandy didn't mean *all* men, only *some* men, and this'll all be
    old hat, won't it.
    
    *Sigh*
    
    Boy, if there was ever a paradigm of the male-female experience,
    the genderNOTES conferences are it.
    
    DFW
178.36I agree, put your stereotypes away!SIMUL8::COFFLERJeff CofflerWed Nov 11 1987 15:5240
    re: .30
    
    My, my.  Did you really mean what you said here?
    
    >No thanx.  No matter how liberated we women are, men STILL prefer to
    >be the pursuer when they think of their ideal woman.
    
    Perhaps this is true for *SOME* men.  It certainly isn't true for me.
    To coin a phrase you used, "put your stereotypes away".  I don't think
    men like to "pursue" at all, but I can only speak for myself.  I don't
    think I'm "pursuing" a women because I ask her out, just as I don't
    think a woman is "pursuing" me just because she asks me out (yes, I
    have been asked out, and no, I did not think she wanted to get me into
    bed).  I do think we're trying to get to know one another better,
    mostly likely to be friends.
    
    >It's not because we aren't liberated. it's because men aren't.
    
    You seem to put me (along with many of my friends) in a category when
    you haven't even met us.  Perhaps the men you know aren't liberated.
    Many, if not all, of the men that I know are.

    >Many still tend to see women as either good for marrying or good for
    >everything else but.  [...]  Also, when a man feels he's with a
    >"desperate" woman, he tends to be less respectful of her if you catch
    >my drift.
    
    Perhaps if you come across someone that thinks of women as "conquests",
    this may be true.  I think of women as individuals, each with their own
    identity.  As is everybody I've ever met.  I always respect a person
    for who they are.  I've never, in my entire life, "tended to be less
    respectful" of a woman's wishes.  A person is an individual.  Not an
    object to get into bed.  Give me a break ... do you really believe that
    all men feel this way?
    
    
    I don't know if it's intentional, Sandy, but your words frequently make
    me feel like I'm the "enemy", on the "opposite side", simply because I
    am a man.  Just as all women are individuals, so are men.  Please
    give us credit for this.
178.37pretend this is an earlier replyLEZAH::BOBBITTsprinkled with syntactic sugarWed Nov 11 1987 16:1623
    getting back to an earlier part of this note, I have shown interest
    in a man before, although I've never come right out to a stranger
    and asked them out.  Then again, no man who was a stranger came
    up to me and asked me out.  Based on a short discussion or two,
    and being introduced (or introducing ourselves), there were several
    ways to get "close" and "allow the opportunity" for either one of
    us to speak up.  Very few people turn down the offer of a backrub.
    Many men I have met enjoy reading poetry - take out my portfolio
    and instant discussion.  Pinball arcade.  Movie.  And (at college)
    laundry.  Also, giving a man a red rose or carnation is a great
    icebreaker.
    
    Although rejection has occurred to further offers, these are a few
    "non-threatening" opportunities to get to know if you want to get
    to know someone better.
    
    As for standards and non-standards and sexism and
    reverse-discrimination, there will always be people who follow the
    rule, and people who are exceptions to the rule.  Generalizations
    often lead to ratholes.
    
    -Jody
    
178.38yeah, well, maybe you're rightCSSE::CICCOLINIWed Nov 11 1987 16:491
    
178.39RANCHO::HOLTLet's remove the heartWed Nov 11 1987 17:194
    
    To get a rose from a woman..? 
    
    I'd be speechless, and very impressed...
178.40It does happenQUARK::LIONELWe all live in a yellow subroutineWed Nov 11 1987 17:3713
    I have been asked out by a woman (and have gotten flowers from
    a woman).  I was thrilled, and in no way assumed "ulterior motives".
    It's nice to see women enjoying this traditionally male side of
    a relationship.  It does happen, though VERY rarely, I admit.  In
    most cases, the woman gives some clear (or maybe not so clear -
    I can be pretty dense at times) signal that she's interested, which
    lowers my fear of rejection enough so I can ask.  And we've had
    a wonderful time.
    
    As a friend of mine is fond of saying, "If you don't ask for the
    world, you won't get it."
    
    					Steve
178.41MORGAN::BARBERSkyking Tactical ServicesWed Nov 11 1987 17:59116
    
    	RE:  .9
    
   > 	Bob, your remarks surprise me somewhat.
    
        why do they surprise you ? Could this be an indicator that I
        may not be totally what you think me to be ?  :-)

   >	You like to talk about "real men" and "real women" (and you

        Sorry, I never made any statement on what I perceived to be
        the qualities of a "real man". I only posed the question and
        Alferd Thompson expanded it to the real woman question.

   > 	seem to feel that you have some God-given role as a man), and

        " some God-given role as a man" ? You've kinda lost me on this 
          one, would you mind elaborating what you are thinking.

  >  	yet you want women to take over some of the old traditional
  >  	male roles in initiating relationships.
   
        Sure,  why not ??
 
 >    	Hey, I'm all for it.
    
        Good,  great as a matter of fact.

 >    	The problem is that women who exhibit confidence (and who stand
 >   	up and fight for their beliefs) are often branded as militant,
 >   	strident, angry_at_all_men, man-haters -- so women who want
 >   	to show how much they LIKE men are probably encouraged to be
 >   	less assertive.
  
        NO, here I will disagree with you. I know of a number of intelligent
        strong, confident women that aren't anything close to being
        militant, man hating feminists. The difference is that they
        don't go around making anti men statements and then defending 
        them as being perfectly alright. They are assertive, and do
        make their own decisions and have a very strong belief and 
        confidence in them selves. 

        That confidence may immitimidate some men the same as the 
        reverse is true. In a discussion with a few of them, they
        have a tendency to like the traditional role of a man doing 
        the asking. Why ? well its already been brought out, fear
        of rejection. The other party may say NO. Its human nature
        not to want to be rejected, and there fore that fear of rejection
        is an extremely strong determent to one asking another out.
        You can be the most strongest, confident man or woman in the
        world and its week nee time when you want to ask a person out.

   > 	What that translates to in plain English is that many men
   > 	give off the "signals" that (like you said) they don't want
   > 	to "yes" women to death.  So many women probably feel that
   > 	men such as yourself would not want women to decide when to
   > 	make the first moves in a relationship (because some men might
   > 	feel that the women were trying to tell them what to do.)
    
        What your telling me, is that, your perception is, that most women
        find a man who exhibits strength and confidence is immitatidating
        to them. And this is why they would not consider asking him
        out for a date. Hummmm, this is interesting, from the standpoint 
        that most of the women I have been involved with have made 
        statements to the effect that they liked my strength of confidence
        and belief in myself. I would therefore have a tendency to believe
        that this would be an attraction rather than a deterrent.

   > 	If you want women to ask you out, then maybe you should reconsider
   > 	being so utterly damning of women who have the confidence to
   > 	openly disagree with you (not because you are a male but because
   > 	they happen to feel that your arguments don't hold up.)
    
        Ill say it again, in many cases I find myself drawn to a woman
        with traits of strength and confidence. And I can more than handle 
        her getting angry at me or someone else if shes been wronged.
        I can and am willing to accept that there are women who have a
        difference of opinions with me. In many of these cases, even 
        though there is a difference of opinions I still have respect
        for that woman as a person, and she me as a man. But I can't 
        and never will except one thats angry at all men and goes on 
        and on, on how their all cretins. That person has no respect 
        for any man and never will.  That is the difference.
        
>    	If you want examples of the other ways that women **DO** initiate
>    	relationships, check the basenote.  The author of .0 openly
>    	stated that women *DO* find other ways to do it (but that he
>    	wondered why women don't just ask guys out.)
    
>    							   Suzanne...

  From note 178.0
    
 >                                  My beef is that women apparently
 >   still avoid making the INITIAL REQUEST, to get the ball rolling
 >   so to speak.  I tend to think that women dodge the issue to ASK
 >   by having friends set up the 2 parties, joining a dating service,
 >   giving signs, etc.  While I can't fault such actions, that is not
 >   the question here.  Is a woman's inability to ask men out a problem
 >   or not?  Is it HEALTHY?  
   
     OK, so were all aware that the infamous back door methods exist.
     The bottom line to all this is I still have to agree with the author
     of .0, there should be just as many women asking men out as us asking 
     women and it isn't happening. In .30 or to that effect, MS Ciccolini
     has related about an experience or two of what happened when she
     asked a guy out. It is my contention that the men would have had
     their "attitude" wither she asked them or they asked her out.
    
     Could it be that she set her sights on a person that was of a lesser
     caliber than she expected, to avoid the person from saying no,
     when she asked them out ? Is that something we all do to some 
     degree to avoid rejection ?
    
                                   Bob B
178.42There *are* some liberated men out thereSSDEVO::YOUNGERThere are no misteakesWed Nov 11 1987 18:0112
    When I have asked men out, if not blown off, I usually have a good
    time, with someone who isn't suspecting "ulteriour motives".  Of
    course what I had going on my side was my relative youth (none of
    this "biological clock running out stuff"), and that I always asked
    men that I already knew.  I can't imagining myself asking someone
    who is currently a stranger.  In fact, I can't imagine accepting
    an offer from a stranger either.
    
    BTW, I've also given flowers to an SO...
    
    Elizabeth
    
178.45You wana run that one by me againMORGAN::BARBERSkyking Tactical ServicesWed Nov 11 1987 20:3722
        RE .44       -< Trying to read my mind again.... >-	
    
        Nope, keep telling you I don't do that, but you won't
        beleave me on that.  But now I've learned that you going to
        accuse me of it each time I express how your being understood.
        
    >	Bob, you took a paragraph mine and assigned an entire new
    >	meaning to it (that was very different from what I said.)
    
        HUH ??  Oh really ?????  Gracious lady  :-) , would you 
        mind enlighting the rest of us on what your talking about .
    
    >	No wonder you were surprised at me for saying such a thing
    >	(because I didn't.)  :-)
       
        Again, Iam glad that you know what your refering to,  but
        for the sake of the rest of us, would you like to let us
        all in on whats going on ...:-)   .... Thanks
    
                                     Bob B
    						     Suzanne...
    
178.48Ask, and ye shall receive.COMET::BRUNOBeware the Night Writer!Thu Nov 12 1987 01:3718
    
         That sounds like a reasonable request.  You wanna know why?
    Because someone who shows a desire for me has a greater value than
    someone for whom I have a desire.  That gives me a chance to
    pre-determine whether or not I like them.  If I decide that I do,
    the relationship has a better than normal chance of survival.  I
    go ahead with it.
    
         Sounds selfish, I see, but it has been this way (at female
    advantage) for a LONG time.  Members of both sexes would probably
    prefer to be asked.  It is only fair that each gets its turn.
    
         If a gentleman did 'freak out' at being asked, or considered
    you desperate because you asked, would you REALLY want to go out
    with him, anyway?

                                 Grog
    
178.50Hmmmm...DONNER::BRUNOBeware the Night Writer!Thu Nov 12 1987 04:1428
    
         You are correct in that it is no one's right to be asked out,
    but the asking and accepting/rejecting will go on as a necessary
    part of the mating game.  It seems a little strange to require men
    to let women know that they can be asked out.  That is, if you mean
    beyond the little 'green light' that was mentioned before.  Anything
    further than that would be no better than continuing the
    'male-responsible' posture already in effect.
    
         In my current relationship, SHE (pronounus anonymous) asked
    me out, and I was enamored of her from the start.  My initial fondness
    was in no small part due to her finding me worth the risk.  I will
    admit that had other things not gone as well as they have, the
    relationship would have ended like any other.
    
         Sure it's not easy to say no when asked out, but I think a
    lot of sensitive guys would be willing to deal with the same burden
    that women have handled over the eons.
    
         What I am surprised about it that women are arguing to keep
    the status quo.  As it stands, from my point of view, the dating
    game is mainly in the hands of the male.  He takes the risks, but
    is also in control of the decision.  The female can only make a
    decision once the male has made his.  Is this really a desirable
    thing for women?
    
                                  Grog
    
178.52Hold de phone!DONNER::BRUNOBeware the Night Writer!Thu Nov 12 1987 05:2310
    
         I never said that women are morally deficient, unfair, sexist
    or any of those other things.  Neither did I say that I didn't like
    the current situation.  What I was doing was exactly what you asked:
    I was trying to PERSUADE any listening women that asking a guy out
    could be a very rewarding thing to do.  It would also seem to be
    the kind of thing that a feminist could logically justify.
    
                                  Grog
    
178.54Or is that 'today'?DONNER::BRUNOBeware the Night Writer!Thu Nov 12 1987 05:567
    
         Well, that's what I get for dropping into a topic that's already
    in its eleventh-hour.  I must have missed the juicy stuff.  I'll
    take a peek, tomorrow.
    
                                   Grog
    
178.58SWM seeks green light ;-)SPMFG1::CHARBONNDand I'll keep on walking.Thu Nov 12 1987 10:1213
    If you night owls are done hogging this topic.... ;-)
    
    Excellent points made in the last 10-15 replies. Now, a question
    for all those still awake : What sort of 'green light' signals 
    do you look for ? In men ? In women ? What would you *like* to
    see ? I am especially interested in replies from the women in
    this conference, it would help us men communicate.
    
    An aside covered elsewhere - the one 'red light' I look for is
    a ring, ANY ring, on the left hand ring finger. Call me chicken.
    And I speak only for myself.
    
    Dana
178.59Just cut in, they'll make roomRANCHO::HOLTLet's remove the heartThu Nov 12 1987 14:5710
    
    Let me clue you... some rings are intended to repel only
    the non persistent...
    
    As for "green lights"... Arranging dates is sort of like driving in 
    Massachusetts; if you wait for a green light and follow the
    rules, you are dead meat... The only rules you need follow are
    the ones that apply after said man and said woman get together.
    
    
178.60my .02 on rings and stuffLEZAH::BOBBITTsprinkled with syntactic sugarThu Nov 12 1987 15:2220
    re: rings and such.
    
    from -.1 :
    >let me clue you...some rings are intended to repel only the non
    persistent...
    
    Well, I think such rings can be misleading.  I wear a ring (amethyst
    in gold) and am engaged.  If I were not engaged, and I met a man
    with a gold ring on his wedding-finger, I wouldn't even ask.  However,
    if I were asked (i.e. if the ring was misinterpreted or ignored)
    I'd simply say "no thank you".  Some people might reply with a brusque
    remark that would be equivalent to a verbal slap in the face.  I
    suppose if some people wear rings to avoid contact, then whether
    they're married or not they want to be left alone.  Those who use
    rings to "screen" the persistant from the non-persistent could be
    accused of false advertising, and may miss out on some really neat
    people in the process.
    
    -Jody
    
178.61Don't read thisCSSE::CICCOLINIThu Nov 12 1987 17:28111
You guys aren't going to like this note either so hit next unseen
if you have a hypertension problem.  I'm going to pretend I'm a 
guy and the base note was written by a woman.

XCELR8::POLLITZ writes in the base note -

>SO they CAN ASK, right?  But they don't.  

Gross generalization and completely false because women DO ask men out.

>To FUEL the fire, what might be involved here is the perception
>of man as a kind of ravenous lustful, threatening beast...
>while the fact is, such is not the case at all. 

How do you claim to know this fact?  Have you asked every man on earth
and found that men are NOT ravenous lustful, threatening beasts?  I
don't see how you get away with making such sweeping, blanket state-
ments that "man" either is or is not one way or the other.  Some are,
some aren't.  Why haven't any of you men in this file pointed this out
and taken flaming exception to these statements?

>Throwing that out (and logically so), it seems the problem is one of an 
>attitude problem.  Or worse - a character flaw.  

This is insulting and offensive to women.  Where do you get the knowledge
that the answer to your question lies in women's attitudes and characters?
I am deeply offended by your statements and perhaps you would have better
luck with women if you didn't have such a chip on your shoulder.

>ANYHOW, it seems women aren't as INTERESTED in men as we'd like to think. 

This too is a blanket statement that has absolutely NO basis in fact.

>Otherwise it makes sense that such interest would be clearly SHOWN.  

Again, your assumption.  If women feel X then they will do Y.  This is
patently offensive to all of us and I wish you would think more clearly
before you make such statements.

See the point?  It seems that men can make sweeping generalizations both
pro and con about women, and women can make pro generalizations about men.
Any other kind of generalization however will be immediately lifted out
of the remaining text, held up as a glaring example of what's wrong with
the author and the world, and the perpetrator will be burned alive by
the flames.

You generalize, I generalize - that's what we're doing.  I don't want
to talk personally here.  That's really nobody's business.  So to say
"Your argument doesn't hold up because you are generalizing" is to display
a lack of insight into the kind of forum this is and also suggests those
who balk at someone's generalizations were looking for a reason to balk at
that person because MANY generalizations here get nodding acceptance.  

I don't think anyone said, "Sandy, do you ask men out?  Why or why not?"  
And if not, then what WAS the question?  Sort of a more GENERAL one?  A 
more RHETORICAL one?  How should one answer a "general" "rhetorical"
question?  Personally?  Sigh - such hysteria.

A woman, faced with a "dense" male, (you guys use the word willingly and 
often), whom she would like to get to know has two choices.  We've already
determined that most often her choice is to "act available" and wait.  Am
I generalizing too much to say that since men are complaining that women
don't ask them out MORE that we can infer that women usually wait?

Then the real question is WHY do women prefer to wait.

One male noter speculates it's because we just don't want to be "liberated"
in this area.  Another assumes it's because we can't handle the rejection.
The base note author has decided it's because women have an attitude problem
or an inherent character flaw.  Not one of these generalizations has
    been challenged.  No man has been asked to explain himself.  We
    just nod and wait for a woman to DARE do the same thing.

I'm offering a possible reason from the source - a female - and you guys are 
saying, "No, that's not it", and continuing with your speculations and
assumptions which seem to make you far more comfortable.

Well if you guys KNOW the answer, or would prefer just to speculate among
yourselves, why are you asking?  If you want to know why women don't do X or 
Y, why do your react with such ferocity when a woman attempts to tell you?
Whom then are you really asking?  Do you really want to know?

How about a note in womannotes asking women why they don't ask men out
more often than they do?  Could you, would you be willing to be READ ONLY 
and could you, would you, believe the replies or would you find yourselves
having to say, "Horsepucky" to the answers because you have other explanations
you'd rather believe?

Some men here in this note have said they try to read "green light" signals 
and often get them wrong.  Why?  Could it be it's because you are interpreting 
them based on your known generalizations which is the only thing you can do?

"Casual conversation at the coffee station" does not mean "She wants to go out
with me" but one noter here says he sometimes will "assume" it does.  Why?
On what do you base this assumption?  On a generalization?  One male noter 
said he assumed a woman was displaying interest when in reality she was 
just being friendly.  He assumed that friendliness GENERALLY means interest 
and acted upon that generalization, much to his dismay.
    
Who flamed at HIM for such a gross generalization and why didn't he
    recognize this "inherent character flaw" within himself?

When I answer that women don't ask men out more because they may generalize
based on experience and our cultural Tarzan/Jane model of relationships how
can you even say with a straight face that the words are meaningless because
they result from a generalization or stereotype when it's what we ALL use to 
determine the chance of success before putting ourselves on the line?

So since you guys already seem to know why women don't ask men out more often,
then there's no real need for any more replies to this topic and we can assume 
it was created just so you can complain about it.  I can live with that.
178.62GENERALIZATIONS ! You want GENERALIZATIONS !FSTRCK::RICK_SYSTEMThu Nov 12 1987 21:14233
< Note 178.61 by CSSE::CICCOLINI >

> I don't see how you get away with making such sweeping, blanket state-
> ments that "man" either is or is not one way or the other.  Some are,
> some aren't.  Why haven't any of you men in this file pointed this out
> and taken flaming exception to these statements?

  Okay, I'll flame at some of the generalizations:

********************************************************************************

  Generalization #1

< Note 178.0 by XCELRB::POLLITZ >

>   SO they CAN ASK, right?  But they don't...  it seems the problem is one 
>   of an attitude problem.  Or worse - a character flaw.      
         
    I don't believe that the problem is a character flaw in women.  I think
    it has to do with the culture in which we were raised.  I think this is
    a CHEAP SHOT.

    However, we might ask the following question, which isn't as generalized,
    and which many of the men in this conference seem to be expressing:
    how come **SOME** women who profess to desire equality in their 
    relationships, maintain a double standard regarding this issue; i.e.,
    they take the traditional "wait until the man asks" position ?  If someone
    openly expresses a desire for equality, why do they refuse make the
    INITIAL approach to a man ?
                                                                   
    I am not claiming all women do this.  However, some women do have this
    double standard, and it appears that many of the male contributors to this
    note have experienced it, and wonder why.
                   
********************************************************************************
                                               
  Generalization #2

< Note 178.5 by MOSAIC::MODICA >
                          
>   It is  the inherent sexism of the feminist movement! Women want
>   equality where it suits them, period. When it comes to asking men
>   out, serving in the armed forces, and men having a truly equal
>   chance to have custody of their children in a divorce, no thanks,
>   they say, the system works just fine as is. 
    
    The women's movements work for women's issues, just as union lobbyists
    work for pro-union legislation, the NRA works for pro-gun legislation,
    etc.  No one group can do everything, so each group is organized to work
    on legislation to protect what they feel their rights are, which are not
    being preserved.  I think most women who participate want equality for
    all people, and the above line really isn't true at all.  I agree
    absolutely with the following statement in .17

>   I don't think there's anything inherently evil about the fact that
>   feminist organizations are primarily concerned with issues relating
>   to women. After all, the American Cancer Society raises funds for
>   cancer research, the Heart Fund for heart disease research, the
>   Muscular Dystrophy Foundation for muscular dystrophy research, etc.
>   Why should men be surprised that "women's groups" are fighting first
>   for "women's causes".  
    
    That doesn't mean I agree in entirety with the feminist agenda, but I
    support most of it.  [And no, I can't give a list of what the feminist
    agenda is, just what I think it includes.]
    
********************************************************************************

  Generalization #3

< Note 178.21 by CSSE::CICCOLINI >

>  Men often assume you are desperate for love, sex, marriage and/or kids 
>  and at some point in the date they invariably ask a form of the question, 
>  "Why would someone like you have to ask a MAN out?"  Pretty interesting 
>  question coming from a guy who DIDN'T ask you out!

>  And I've found men are much more interested in you if they've pursued you.
>  I think it's a feeling of control of the situation, of conquest, and the 
>  old "meat that's fleet on the hoof", (the woman just out of reach), being 
>  more desirable.

>  I believe men want to be asked out to broaden their social lives, expand
>  their sexual possibilities, enjoy a few free nights out and turn the tables 
>  for once on women.  But when they think very seriously about their ideal 
>  woman, the one they want to fall in love with, she won't be the one
>  walking up to them saying, "So, would you like to have dinner with me
>  on Saturday?"

>  And we women know it.

< Note 178.30 by CSSE::CICCOLINI >

>  No thanx.  No matter how liberated we women are, men STILL prefer to
>  be the pursuer when they think of their ideal woman.  Any other woman
>  outside of that mold is in another category in their minds - a category
>  most women don't want to willingly place themselves in.  THAT'S the
>  reason.  It's not because we aren't liberated. it's because men aren't.

   This is at least as big a generalization as in .0 in my opinion.  I don't
   know of anyone who considers a woman "meat that's fleet on the hoof," and
   I feel this is a CHEAP SHOT.  While I agree with the other things stated in 
   .21, this just is an excuse not to respond to the double standard issue.
   "We women know that this is what men want, so we give them what they want."
   Well, some men may want that, but those expressing their opinions in this
   note have said otherwise.  Why not respond to those who don't feel this
   way ?

   There may be **SOME** men who act this way.  You found one.  I repeat, ONE.

   I would agree with .36 in this matter :    
    
>  Perhaps this is true for *SOME* men.  It certainly isn't true for me.
>  To coin a phrase you used, "put your stereotypes away".  I don't think
>  men like to "pursue" at all, but I can only speak for myself.  I don't
>  think I'm "pursuing" a women because I ask her out, just as I don't
>  think a woman is "pursuing" me just because she asks me out (yes, I
>  have been asked out, and no, I did not think she wanted to get me into
>  bed).  
    
>  You seem to put me (along with many of my friends) in a category when
>  you haven't even met us.  Perhaps the men you know aren't liberated.
>  Many, if not all, of the men that I know are.

>  I don't know if it's intentional, Sandy, but your words frequently make
>  me feel like I'm the "enemy", on the "opposite side", simply because I
>  am a man.  Just as all women are individuals, so are men.  Please
>  give us credit for this.


********************************************************************************

  Generalization #4

< Note 178.47 by NEXUS::CONLON >
    
>  The "fear of rejection" for men is -- "Does this woman want
>  to go out with me?  Will she say yes or no?"
    
>  For women, it is different.  It is more like -- "This man
>  may definitely want to go out with me.  But will he change
>  his *MIND* about that if I ask *HIM* first?  Would things
>  work out better if I either waited for *HIM* to ask me out,
>  or if I found some other way to get close to him other than
>  asking him out directly?"
    
>  Would you deliberately do something that might ruin a possibly
>  excellent relationship?  
    
>  The first date only happens once with any particular person.
>  If you felt certain that asking the person for the date was
>  the one single worst thing you could do to initiate that
>  relationship, would you do it anyway?

   I don't understand why anyone would assume that, because a woman is asking
   a man for a date, that the woman would assume that a man's level of interest
   would change because the woman made the initial approach.

   I could understand why that might occur in a particular situation; i.e.,
   you can see that a PARTICULAR man might feel this way.  But I believe it is
   very shaky ground upon which to defend ALWAYS or USUALLY waiting for the
   man to ask first, regardless of the man.

   While that wasn't explicitly stated here, that's the impression I received.
   My apologies if that is not what is being expressed.
    
>  Being asked out on a date is *NOT* anyone's *RIGHT* in this
>  country (including WOMEN'S!!!)  There are many, many women
>  who don't get asked out either (for whatever reason.)

   Up until this note, no man claimed they had any *RIGHT* to be asked out on
   a date.  I absolutely agrre with a later statement you make, "None of us
   owes it to any of the rest of us to ask us out.  Period." 

   However, I still wonder why with *SOME* women there is a double standard.    
    
>  But I don't think *anyone* here has the right to tell us that
>  there is something wrong with women because we don't do it.

   I would absolutely agree, with any individual woman, there is nothing
   wrong with a particular reason for waiting.  Moreover, I think our society
   has "trained" us in these skills.  There is nothing wrong with women
   individually or as a group because of the way relationships begin.

   However, I personally find those looking for true equality in a relationship
   would have a double standard if they maintained that they are right in
   waiting for the man to initiate the relationship.
    
< Note 178.51 by NEXUS::CONLON >

>  The problem (as I see it) is that some of the men in this note
>  are treating this social phenomenon as if women are deliberately
>  trying to be unfair to men by not asking them out (and are also
>  suggesting that women are sexist for not asking men out, or
>  lack confidence or .... etc.)  

>  Hopefully, things *WILL* change.  But I highly resent the sort
>  of attitudes I've seen in this note (including the original
>  basenote that suggested that women's lack of initiative in
>  dating involves a CHARACTER FLAW.)

   I also hope these type of perceptions that some men have change.    
   They are made from frustration, in my opinion.

********************************************************************************

  Generalization #5

< Note 178.55 by XCELRB::POLLITZ >

>  Most of the CHARACTER FLAWS in the Vilar work no longer are inside a Woman's
>  Core.  With respect to THE GAP, if female INDIFFERENCE, COLDNESS,
>  and Lack of RECOGNITION aren't CHARACTER FLAWS, then I don't
>  SEE.  IF the Vilar work isn't a DEVASTATING INDICTMENT agains't
>  dangerous nonsense, then the book is rubbish.  

   I suspect, without having read it, that the book is rubbish.

********************************************************************************

   As I see it, there have been plenty of generalizations on each side.  As
   each side defends its generalizations, the flames get higher.

   One comment I did like :

< Note 178.35 by HPSCAD::WALL >
    
>  Boy, if there was ever a paradigm of the male-female experience,
>  the genderNOTES conferences are it.

   I agree exactly.

   Rick Rollins    
178.63from an old married lady :-)YAZOO::B_REINKEwhere the sidewalk endsFri Nov 13 1987 00:3936
    Hmmm, this is from a married observer whose dating days are long
    behind her. I would like to say that to make a connection between
    the issues of woman's lib as I have understood it, such as the
    ability to attend any college or school that a woman wants to, or
    to hold any job that she is capable of, or not to be discrimintated
    against as to salary because of sex, or the ability to be accepted
    as a valid candidate to run for higher office....and the more personal
    man-woman issues isn't necessarily valid.
    
    Issues of jobs, and pay, and credit rights etc etc are intellectual
    issues. Issues of who asks who out for dates are emotional issues.
    People tend to be far more irrational about emotional issues...and
    they are much harder to divest of older steriotypes.
    
    Courtship roles are so old, and so assumed in our world that they
    are not often examined. I strongly suspect that even the most 
    intellectually and other wise liberated of women mahy still have
    deep inside her a whole different set of emotions when it comes
    to romance and dating.
    
    Personally were I to imagine a time when I were a widow and dealing
    again with the social world, for all my feminism, I would be very
    reluctant to ask a man out for the first time....but then maybe
    I have gotten to be old fashioned since I passed 40.... :-)
    
    The simplest solution is often the best one....my bet is most
    women don't ask men out because they would rather not take a chance
    on jeaprodizing the relationship....
    
    no other or more obscure reasons really need apply....and for those
    of you men who have asked a friend out and gotten turned down, why
    not ask her for advice as a friend as to how to improve your chances
    with another woman....one thing a friend can do is help you spiff
    up your act a bit.
    
    Bonnie
178.64All feelings are valid - please listenSSDEVO::YOUNGERThere are no misteakesFri Nov 13 1987 01:2135
    Do we really need to fight this out?
    
    What the women are *really* saying is that they *feel* they will be
    rejected if they ask an interesting male out.  Feelings are ALWAYS
    VALID.  Where they come from is probably as diverse as the women in
    this file.  Perhaps they ran into one, few, or many jerks who act this
    way.  Perhaps they are older and were dating in a time when women
    asking men out was "just not done".  Perhaps they were told by their
    mother, older relatives, friends, that men wouldn't like them if they
    asked them.  There are many possible explanations.  Regardless, this is
    what these women feel, and all feelings are valid. 
    
    What the men are saying is I AM NOT LIKE THAT, and would like a
    woman/women to ask them out.  Unfortunately, many women aren't sure
    about this, because of their past experiences and/or their previous
    training.  They believe (again, beliefs in ANYTHING are valid) that men
    will still reject them if they do the asking - based on their previous
    experiences.  They believe that men would like to take the assertive
    role.  Assuming that the women with these beliefs believe what these
    men are saying, it still doesn't help - even if John Noter would love
    to be asked out, that doesn't say anything about the next man a woman
    meets.  No one will deny the existance of men who believe that women
    who "have to" ask a man out are desparate or out to get something. 
    
    This is an unfortunate situation, caused by centuries of sexism and
    semi-formalized courting procedure.  It will not change overnight.
    Couldn't we be tollerant of each other's past experiences.  In a
    perfect world, no one would have to unduely fear another persons
    reaction to being asked out.  But this is not a perfect world... 
    
    Elizabeth
    
    
    
    
178.65COMET::BRUNOBeware the Night Writer!Fri Nov 13 1987 01:288
    
         Definitely not a perfect world, but we can try.  Rejection
    is a part of life.  Everyone must be able to handle it.  If gender
    equality is EVER to be approached, we must each take a trot in the
    other's Adidas.
    
                                  Grog
    
178.69Profiles in CourageXCELR8::POLLITZFri Nov 13 1987 05:057
            A Man and a Woman were sitting on a park bench near the
        Eiffel Tower. Strangers. Slowly, they faced each other. They
        Embraced.  It is then that I realized that Love is an act of
        Heroism.
                   -- David Bowie,
                                  on a site he saw that 
                                 inspired the song ' Heroes'
178.70Feelings can be UNDERSTANDABLE but not VALIDFSTRCK::RICK_SYSTEMFri Nov 13 1987 12:1870
< Note 178.64 by SSDEVO::YOUNGER "There are no misteakes" >

re: .64

>   Feelings are ALWAYS VALID.        

    I had a close relative with whom I have spent a great deal of time in
    the past.  She grew up with very unsupportive parents, and felt rejected
    by them (and rightfully so).  Now, in her adult years, she has rejected
    any and all attempts by others to befriend her.  I have spoken with some
    of these people, and they have great admiration for her.  Yet, because of
    the things that happened to her in the past, she sees every action others
    take as being a form of judgment of her, and she terminates every
    relationship with both men and women very early in the development of that
    relationship.

    I have a great deal of concern, respect, and love for this woman, and
    have spent a lot of time and effort to help her.  I empathize with her,
    and find her feelings to be very UNDERSTANDABLE; most people who had been
    placed in her situation would probably act similarly.  I don't see how 
    anyone who knows her situation can criticize her actions. But her feelings
    are not VALID, that is, they do not represent reality.  Most of the people
    I have spoken with do not have the feelings she suggests.  These in-valid
    feelings just lead to situations where she is worse off (she is very 
    lonely).

>   Perhaps they ran into one, few, or many jerks who act this
>   way.  Perhaps they are older and were dating in a time when women
>   asking men out was "just not done".  Perhaps they were told by their
>   mother, older relatives, friends, that men wouldn't like them if they
>   asked them.  

    Yes, that is true.  Probably in those days, society was "traditional" in
    other ways; i.e., women were more likely to stay at home and raise a
    family - many men treated women with less regard of their abilities,
    talents, and especially opportunities - men and women had more distinct
    "roles" set for them.

    I wonder why women who reject these "roles" and "training" that they
    received in other aspects of society, have not rejected this one.  If
    they believe the other aspects of their "training" was wrong, why cling
    to this one.  Why do women who have "liberated" themselves in some areas
    not doing so in this one ?
    
>   What the men are saying is I AM NOT LIKE THAT, and would like a
>   woman/women to ask them out.

    I suspect that most of the men responding to this note (and me in 
    particular) are saying more than that.  I, and perhaps others, are saying
    not only that I AM NOT LIKE THAT, but that MANY, MAYBE EVEN MOST, MEN
    ARE NOT LIKE THAT.  I think that any woman who looks at men and says
    "there is a good chance I will be rejected and hurt if I make the initial
    approach" is basing her dating life on an in-valid assumption.  I don't
    believe that assumption is true, and I think that a number of unneeded
    problems in personal relationships occur because of this falsehood.

>   This is an unfortunate situation, caused by centuries of sexism and
>   semi-formalized courting procedure.  It will not change overnight.
>   Couldn't we be tollerant of each other's past experiences.
    
    I absolutely agree.  Men, be patient, society is changing, people's views
    are changing, and this too will change.  Meanwhile, don't be blaming
    any particular woman because she doesn't ask you out; who knows what
    she has gone through.  Don't blame the women's movements; they want to
    change relationships for the better as well.  Women, accept the fact
    that the vast majority of men in today's society want to improve their
    relationships and desire greater equality therein.  Don't accept counsel
    from an age past that really and truly does not apply in today's society.
    There are a few individuals who will hurt and betray you, but they are
    in the minority.
178.71SIMUL8::COFFLERJeff CofflerFri Nov 13 1987 13:1518
    re: .70
    
    I think you're getting into logistics here.
    
    >>   Feelings are ALWAYS VALID.        
    
    >But her feelings are not VALID, that is, they do not represent reality.
    
    I agreed with what the original author said in .64, or at least as I
    interpreted it.  Feelings are feelings.  They aren't right or wrong.
    They just are.  It isn't wrong for someone to "feel jealous", "feel
    afraid", or feel anything else.  Perhaps the reason *WHY* someone feels
    that way is based on incorrect perception, or perhaps not. 
    
    The woman mentioned in .70 is not wrong for feeling the way she does.
    Her feelings are VALID, and are important.  Because of her experience,
    she may be misinterpreting people's actions, but her feelings, none the
    less, are genuine.
178.72Perhaps my choice of WORDING was poorFSTRCK::RICK_SYSTEMFri Nov 13 1987 13:4414
re .71    
>   I think you're getting into logistics here.
    
    Perhaps so.  But I had hoped that the rest of my note explained how
    I felt.

    I don't blame anyone for having feelings one way or the other.  I can
    understand how a person who has been hurt or rejected for asking and
    being turned down.  It has happened to me.  The feelings of being hurt
    are real, and valid.  However, the perception that this is going to be
    a consistent reaction from others is, in my opinion, based on a premise
    about society that is no longer true.  I don't accept that premise as
    valid, and I am arguing that those who hold false premises such as this
    keep themselves from being as happy as they might be.
178.75generally speaking...COLORS::MODICAFri Nov 13 1987 14:2630
    RE. .61 By Sandy Ciccolini...
    
    	I've given a lot of thought to your entry. I'll admit that at
    	first I was very tempted to reply with:
    
    	Now you know how men feel when they participate in womennotes
    			or
    	I an tired of women tellin gus how to feel
    			etc          
    
    	BUT, after giving a LOT of thought to your entry, I agree with
    	what you say. Specifically when people reply with something
    	to the effect of "Your argument doesn't hold because you
    	are generalizing." I reluctantly admit I am guilty of it and
    	I may have some company too; here and in womannotes. 
    
    	Personally, one of the few things that hits a nerve with me
    	is when my opinions (no matter how flawed they may be) , and
    	the opinions of others are dismissed as pissing and moaning,
    	or disregarded in some other way. I'd like to think that 
    	everyone's point of view is equally important. 
    
    	Finally, on a less serious note...the use of the word "dense"
    	here is interesting. Similiar to the fact that I never heard
    	a woman described as strident til I read womannotes. I wonder
    	if we sometimes help to perpetuate our own stereotypes?
    
    	I know this also digresses from the original note but I wasn't
    	sure where else to respond to note 61.
    	Those are my views, comments?         
178.76CEODEV::FAULKNERYou already read this !Fri Nov 13 1987 16:343
    re.0
    last tuesday
    i have no intention of typing in all those 0's
178.77MORGAN::BARBERSkyking Tactical ServicesFri Nov 13 1987 21:31127
	RE:  .46
    
>    	You didn't just explain to me how I was perceived, you wrote
>    	a new paragraph to tell me what I said (and I'm telling you
>    	now that you were *MISTAKEN* about my meaning.)
       
        OK, so I was mistaken on your meaning of what you wrote. Thats
        why I asked for you to clarify it, when you stated this. BUT
        otherwise, sorry, no I wrote on how *I* was understanding what 
        you wrote. I have never *TOLD* you anything, either here or other
        wise. When are you going to cease and desist to think and feel
        that I or anyone else is trying to tell you anything.

        For your information, any of us men noters that have any contact
        with you, in these files, knows by now that you can't be *TOLD*
        anything. So trust me when I say that we don't bother. What we do 
        do though, is make statements on how were understanding what others
        (including you) have said and how we feel. Your the one that *INSISTS*
        that we are telling you how you feel and think, when all were doing
        is explaining *HOW* your being interpreted.

        When are you going to quit with the business of thinking and accusing
        that everyone is trying to tell you to do or think something, that
        you don't wish. GET THE MESSAGE ***WE AREN'T AND DON'T ****
        As a fact of matter, I've been nice to you before all this in this 
        note, and because I asked you to clarify something, you have got to
        go get all defensive. Just what is your problem this time  ???   

>    	What I was trying to say is that many women probably don't
>    	ask men out because they believe that ***MEN DO NOT WANT WOMEN
>    	TO ASK THEM OUT***.  
 
        OK, this is plain enough,  I find it a bit hard to believe,
        Ill accept it as what you beleave.
   
>  	Like some others have said, we have not been getting the signals
>    	that many men *WANT* us to ask men for first dates.
 
        OK , so what would be the right signals to send if your too 
        shy to ask the lady out from his end.
   
>    	Look, Bob, we can have a pissing contest here for the next week
>    	or so (and insult each other every which way from Sunday.) 
>   	Why bother?
 
        Just another example of what I was saying from above. I was nice 
        to you before this, and this was uncalled for. Or is it your mindset
        that I'am totally incapable of being nice and civil ?
   
>    	Let's try to approach the issues from another direction, shall
>    	we?    
>    	If you want women to ask you out, now you have a chance to say
>    	**WHY** you want women to do it (and maybe convince us that
>    	we *SHOULD* ask men out.)  Who knows?
    
>    							Suzanne....

      OH so now we have to "convince" you that its a good idea huh ??
      The question of why *SHOULD* you (IE any woman, not specifically you)
      is very simple in that its a good idea, whos time has come.


    	RE:  .73
    

>    	The basic message to women seems to be, "If you want equality,
>    	and if you want us to believe that you are not sexist, cowardly,
>    	cold or unliberated -- then ask men out."  One man even *dared*
>    	me to ask a man out.
    
>    	That is how I perceive what is being said here by some men.
>    	It appears that some men are trying to talk us *INTO* doing
>    	what they would like us to do.

        No, the mans calling your bluff, in that back in reply .9
        you said addressing me, "and yet you want women to take over 
        some of the traditional roles in initiating relationships ?
        Hey I'am all for it ". Now, latter on you make mention that 
        your currently involved with someone. OK so your off the "market".
        But why now are you reversing your original thought of its an
        OK thing for a woman to do ?
         
>    	I don't think any man has the right to tell us what we ought
>    	to be doing in dating relationships as if it is somehow 
>    	relavent to our search for equality.
    
        Does this look familiar ?  We're trying to *TELL* all you 
        women something again huh ? 

>    	If you want to dislike not being asked out, then fine.  If
>    	you want to say that you would like to be asked out (and that
>    	we are mistaken if we assume you do *NOT* like to be asked
>    	out) -- then fine.
    
        OK, if theres any doubt in your or anyones else's mind at this
        point lets clarify it now. YES, WE MEN, *DO* WISH THAT MORE WOMEN
        ASKED WE MEN OUT, and to believe different is to be mistaken.

>    	Just don't try to tell us that it is UNFAIR if we don't ask
>    	men out (or that there is a problem with our LOGIC if we don't
>    	do it.)  That is being manipulative because "dating" situations
>    	have nothing to do with rights.  In other words, no one has
>    	the *RIGHT* to be asked out (so we are not infringing on anyone's
>    	rights if we don't do it.)
    
>    							Suzanne...

        Rights, smights, its got nothing to do with rights. What its
        got to do with is pain. Oh, Ill grant you there is no problem 
        with the logic of not doing it. But lets get it right, it is 
        unfair. Why ? simple, by staying with the traditional roles of only
        men can ask, relieves women of the fear, anxiety, doubts, and
        nervousness of just mustering the courage to do the asking.
        This is all up front, now if the person says NO, then we have
        all those lousy feeling that go along with the rejection.

        No, by keeping things the way they are, women avoid all the 
        problems associated with the process. It avoids the having to 
        be dead on at reading all the signals each person puts out to 
        you. Do you women think its really all that easy ?  Of course
        its not and thats why most of you want out of it. On the other 
        side it was brought up that its tough to say no, well in my book
        its a whole lot easier to say no and walk away then it is to go
        through the process of getting that no. Thats why its unfair.

                                        Bob B
178.79It's getting old kids.AXEL::FOLEYRebel in the snowSat Nov 14 1987 01:026
    
    
    	ZZZZzzzzZZZZzzzZZZZzzz......  Oh!..er..oh, it's just them
    	two going at it again.. zzZZZz..zZZZz...zzzzzZZZZZZ
    
    							mike
178.80***ASTERISKS*** ABUSE.EUCLID::FRASERCrocodile sandwich &amp; make it snappy!Sat Nov 14 1987 02:498
        It's ok  Mike  - just tune it out.  It's the same old drift all
        around the point,  disseminating  random crap type stuff.  Next
        unseen works wonders!   At  least the three consecutive replies
        have ceased, hmm?? ;*)
        
        Andy
        
        
178.81WE ARE PARTNERSXCELR8::POLLITZSat Nov 14 1987 06:4236
    To all, and .78   Delete attitude probs, flaws, Vilar from .0, .55.
                     Also the *dare*. That was thoughtless. I apologize.
    
    # 2          The MAIN IDEA is ** BOTH SEXES CAN ASK OUT **. Women
               and Men. Both. Also to ** KEEP ASKING **. Men and Women
               asking EACH OTHER out IS a * GOOD IDEA *. There are other
               Ways to meet also.
    
    # 3        The *NO's* should be less painful with more *asks/action*
               on each side. Less anxiety too. 
    
    RE .78 author   You're correct about *Rights*, (no) expectations,
                   intimidation,etc. People *ARE* interested in the
                   *IDEA*. Let's FOCUS on IT. 
    
    # 4        If the *IDEA* in #2 needs any modif., then Let US,
               as a BODY, do that. Also, let US, as a BODY, STICK TO
               the Subject AMAP.  That is, the *IDEA*, and the exper-
               iences we all get out of it.
    
    #5         If one person gets Inspired to ask Another out because
               of these *IDEAS*, then more Power to US ALL.
    
    # 6        NEVER make a case of Women against Men, or Men against
               Women. EVER.  It is how WE STRUCTURE OURSELVES AND
               SOCIETY that MATTERS. ( Social Justice ). Know this.
    
    # 7        THE CHALICE AND THE BLADE is THE MOST IMPORTANT BOOK
               OF OUR AGE.  The Importance of a Partnership Society
               and where WE Are Now. Harper and Row, Riane Eisler,
               1987.  BOOKS note 428 is developing the ideas.
    
    # 8        Let's develop more Creative Ideas and Alternatives
               with respect to the many things that we *DO*.
    
                                                     Russ
178.84SALEM::AMARTINVanna &amp; me are a numberSun Nov 15 1987 05:171
    Apology ACCEPTED suzanne.
178.85CALLME::MR_TOPAZSun Nov 15 1987 11:2412
       re .83:
       
       Does this mean thay you're making yet another one of your
       dramatic conference farewells?
       
       Or is it a guilt-laden apologia for the vicious and gratuitous
       innuendo in .78 ("Shall I tell you what others have said to me
       about you?  I think I'll skip it.")? 
       
       Thanks as always,
       
       --Mr Topaz
178.86CALLME::MR_TOPAZSun Nov 15 1987 11:3120
       Oh, one more thing if you haven't left us, Suzanne.  Andy Fraser
       brings up an interesting point about asterisks, and I hope you can
       clear things up so that we can better understand the notes that
       you write.  You frequently use different methods to emphasize
       words -- capitalizing them ("...we have been DAMN SMART...")
       asteriskizing them ("maybe women *ought* to ask ..."), and
       capitalizing-asteriskizing them ("...why *YOU* would want...") 
       
       Now, I'm reasonably certain that *YOU* is meant to be more
       forceful than either DAMN SMART or *ought*, and that the latter
       two carry greater weight than the rest of the words, but I'm not
       sure of the difference between words that are capitalized (with no
       **'s) and words with **'s (but no caps). 
       
       I'd have sent mail, but figured that other readers might find
       themselves in the same boat; I'd appreciate any light you could
       shed on this.  Thanks very much, 
       
       --Mr Topaz
178.89OSL07::TERJESCHome is where the couch isSun Nov 15 1987 17:3520
Why is everybody so concerned about the formality about dating someone ?
I might have missed a point somewhere in the last few new notes, but 
it seems to me that asking someone out, either to a dinner alone or to
a baseball game with a bunch of friends is something that is very serious.
Or is some kind of commitment.

I've been living in Norway the last 14 years (since I was 10) and I have
never had a date the way most of you describe. And I can't recall that any
of my friends have had any either. If we happen to see/meet someone we are
physicaly attracted to we usually say something like Eagle suggested somewhere:
"I'm doing so and so tomorrow, would you like to come along ?" This is not
just something that the male does, it's just as much done by females.

Is the "dating game" only used by americans to make friends/aquaintances ?
What do they do in other countries ?

			Terje.

P.S	I'm a male in case anyone is in doubt :-)
    
178.91Is Dating an Adult ResponsibilityXCELR8::POLLITZSun Nov 15 1987 20:378
           Is dating an adult responsibility?  Should both sexes go
    thru the same ask/date/rewards/risks/etc., stages/experience?
    As growth is involved, how might parents, schools, etc., encourage
    the process?  When possible share insights into healthy ( less
    pressured ) ways the two can meet, go out, and have fun.
        Also, how we can encourage women to do more of "it". 
    
                                                       Russ
178.93Side-door methods work bestQUARK::LIONELWe all live in a yellow subroutineSun Nov 15 1987 22:3217
    I consider it bordering on the ridiculous to be thinking of
    "asking for a date" as some unpleasant chore similar to cleaning
    out the cat litter box!  I don't spend any time worrying about
    why more women don't ask me out - if they're interested but shy,
    they take the risk of my not noticing their interest enough to
    ask them.
    
    I agree with Suzanne that women DO initiate such contacts, but
    tend to use "side-door" methods rather than direct propositions.
    I feel that these methods are actually BETTER than the traditionally
    male kind, and like to use them myself when I have the chance.
    Sometimes it even works!  But some of the best relationships I have
    had were where the woman first made her interest clear to me, never
    by asking directly for a date, but managing nevertheless to penetrate
    the haze that constantly surrounds my brain where this subject is
    concerned.
    				Steve
178.94A basic trunk firstXCELR8::POLLITZSun Nov 15 1987 23:2259
        I would have children educated in basic sex ed age 10 - 14.
    From Grades 1 - 12, I'd want schools to have books available 
    explaining what a date is ( the meeting of 2(+) people, usually
    F/M, the adventure of these 2 people going out and doing *fun*
    things.  I'd like these books to detail the many things 2 people
    can do together, like a picnic, movie, nature walk, collecting
    beach shells, coins, riding bikes to ballparks, board games,
    lite contact games ie 'twister, leather working, pottery, skcating,
    hide and seek. discussing ideas like organizing at home, a work
    place for homework, going over some homework with a parent, talk-
    ing about ideas of God, sharing housework chores, planning and
    building a treehouse, sharing the joy of teamwork and getting
    more excited as the project(s) near completion.  talking about
    why sometimes things go wrong, that is failure, and that failures
    are a part of life; that we learn from these and life goes on.
    I would like young people better taught (by parents,teachers,
    and peers) that the things to talk about in order are: ideas,
    things, and people.  I would want stressed by adults to these
    youngsters that people very often talk about people in venal ways
    when there are better ways to employ constructive criticism of
    others ideas,personalities. I would teach these young people to
    think in terms of solid English usage, things to listen for, the
    formation of good ideas/plans. I would encourage reasonable risk
    - taking ventures such as scuba diving, cave exploration, ball
    playing, nature adventures and things these people might take
    upon themselves to do. 
       I would show better ways of doing things by creating a situation
    and asking the person how that situation could be better handled.
    a xample would be counting to 10 before venting anger, to doing
    homework in the afternoon to get it out of the way.
       I would teach for ideas of others to be respected, encourage
    them to *talk* these things out, stress initiative, persistence,
    patience, and following thru, over and over.
       H.S. age young adults I would want good study and social habits
    established, with growth opportunities. preparation, such as good
    notebooks, and briefcases would help make for a budding young
    professionaly - minded person better ready - able, to meet the
    challenges that the outside World presents.  A few date requests
    a year would be encouraged, and I would tell the young Woman or
    Man that either person is *freely* abe to ask another person out,
    and that old dating patterns( Man asks), are best thought as
    things of the past.  
       I would hope that good dating attitudes would enamour each
    individual to feel free to date, or not date. I would suggest
    that a single looking person might use as a guideline 10 -12
    date requests a year, but that there really are no rules regard-
    ing such matters, though respecting oneself and the other are
    aways important.
       Suzanne, I"ve ony looked at a very basic trunk of ideas/actions
    personal dev's that a person goes thru on our life journey.
       So no there's No obligation to date, but I'd like the idea that
    active dating ( when desired), is a Damn good idea, and would
    hope that THAT IDEA, that Dating is Healthy be instilled in
    their minds as just THAT -- A DAMN GOOD IDEA. Period.
    I think People Ought to try it more, lest it becomes Extinct.
    
    And who needs that. 
                                               Rip Van Winkle                                                               
    
178.96Kids do need guidance, and so do adultsXCUSME::DIONNELife is a game of Trivial Pursuit?Mon Nov 16 1987 12:1437
    re.94
    > But the bottom line will continue to be that dating is optional.
    > No man or woman is obligated to date in order to be fair to others.
    
    > Sure, it might be fun to date (and you could tell people to date
    > for the fun of it.)  But it will never wash that it is anyone's
    > responsibility to date.
    
    With my children (3) - all teenagers, I've tried to teach them that
    the most important aspects of dating is the opportunity to expose
    themselves to people with different thoughts, attitudes, cultural
    backgrounds, educations..... in short, dating for everyone should
    be an educating experience, and help all of us to develop the
    ability to respect all others, value differences, and to define our 
    own needs and wants within a relationship with others, and to help
    us to understand what we would like to give of ourselves to others. 
    And of course, dating can and should be fun.  
    
    I have taught them that initiating a date is generally a positive
    opportunity to meet new people, and it is of no importance whatsoever,
    whether it it the man or woman who does the initiating, but I have
    seen that generally, the boys are continuing to be initiating a
    "date" more than the girls.  I'd like to see that change, a lot
    of teenage girls are missing the opportunity to develop confidence
    in themselves, as well as missing the companionship of a lot of
    very nice young men.  Traditions seem to pass themselves along without
    a lot of direct "passing down", so to speak.  I would not hesitate
    to initiate a date with a man that I thought would be interesting
    to get to know, regardless of where that might lead, and my children
    are well aware of this, but their experience with their peers tends
    to make them think that I am the exception rather than the norm.
    
    To me, the bottom line is this:
    
    Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
    
    Sandie
178.97XCUSME::DIONNELife is a game of Trivial Pursuit?Mon Nov 16 1987 14:044
    <------ make that re. 95 and touching upon .94.
    
            what can I say, it was early (meaning before noon) Monday morning.
                                                              
178.98And now, back to the conversationMORGAN::BARBERSkyking Tactical ServicesMon Nov 16 1987 18:40119
                                   |*****
                                   |*****
                                   |*****
                                   |
                                   | 
                                   |

    A truce has been called and there fore peace terms will be abided by.
    I'am using your .88 to answer your questions, but I've also expanded
    to include things as part of the general conversation, which are
    aimed at everyone.

    	RE:  .88
     
   >	What you wrote in your note is that you (and all the other men
   > 	in this conference) are not trying to "tell" us anything.  
    
   > 	I'm wondering how you define "tell." 

        Tell or told can be defined two ways. first would be it's use as 
        a word in a sentence, IE "I was told these facts, and am now tell
        ing (relaying) them to you". This is the way I use the words and not
        the second way , which is when the term(s) are use to "talk down"
        to a person. An example of this would be "I'am telling you this,
        (as in you had better pay attention or else) or a "I told you so."
        
        The problem here is, that in every case that, there has existed  
        the slightest possibility that it could have the "talk down" meaning
        to it, you have taken it that way. What I'am trying to get across 
        here is that in a awful lot of times, you have interpreted something
        as a "talk down" type of statement, when the author did not mean it as
        that. I'am trying to be as polite about this as I can in words on this
        system. The reason I say this is that in so many cases you have come
        back with something to the effect of " Your telling me (us) that..."
        as if we were commanding you to think or do something. 

       What this all boils down to is that none of we men are attempting to
       "tell" you or any other female how to live or run your life. What we
       have done is express how we are feeling or what we are thinking. I hope
       this clarifies this enough that in the future that people on both sides
       ask for a clarification of the, in doubt statement before the tempers
       rise and the flames start. OK ?


 >                                              You proceed, in your
 >       note, to write that it is unfair that women do not ask men
 >   	out.  So -- are you "suggesting" that women ask men out or
 >   	just "mentioning" your displeasure that women do not do it?
  
        Both, suggesting that it would be a good idea, and I am more
        disapointed than displeased that it doesn't happen more often.
  
>    	There is no issue involving "fairness" when it comes to asking
>    	people out.  Men are not forced to ask women out (and there
>    	are many who do not do it.)  So if a man chooses to ask a woman
>    	out on a formal date, he takes his chances and risks pain.
 
        Life isn't fair, the world isn't fair, there's a whole ton of
        things that aren't fair, but does that mean we should go on 
        accecpting them as the status quo ? I don't think so, and
        therefore it is my belief that for women to sit back and say
        that they don't have to do it is a cop out. I still contend 
        that its unfair for only men to having to be the one taking
        most of the risk in initiating a date.
   
  >  	There are better ways to initiate relationships (other than
  >  	getting up one's courage to ask for a first date.)  Women
  >  	initiate relationships all the time (using these other methods.)
    
        OK, but I haven't heard of it happening very often. When are 
        the barriers of tradition going to be broken down ? Yes, you
        have a point here, but you must remember that men don't have
        the friend network working for them the same as women do.

 >   	So, although (from an equality standpoint) women are certainly
 >   	entitled to ask men out, we are not obligated to do so.
  
        Nobodies obligated to do any thing in either case. But the problem
        stands like this. Heres two people, that would make a good couple.
        He's too shy to ask and shes wont because of tradition or what 
        ever. So what happens, they both pass on like ships in the night,
        unaware of the fact that they could have been sharing the happiness 
        of each other save for the garbage that keeps them apart. This 
        is why I feel that keeping "it only men ask" is stupid.

  
  >  	What that means is that women will ask men out if we want to,
  >  	but are not being "unfair" if we don't.  Since we appear to be
  >  	more than willing to initiate relationships in other ways,
  >	the "full burden" of starting relationships no longer rests
  >  	with men.
    
  >  	We have merely found better ways to get things started (that
  >  	involve less pain.)  If you want to continue to suffer pain
  >  	needlessly, that is your choice.  But we don't have to suffer
  >  	along with you.
   
        Suzanne, Yes I hear you and am very aware of how women use 
        their "networking" system of friends to meet someone. (I had
        a sister that was notoriously good at doing it) But what
        happens when no one in the net knows the person ? What then ?
        If these other methods are so good, why aren't they being employed
        more ? I'am not posing these questions solely at you, they are ones 
        that need to be answered by all the women that follow this file .
        I still feel there is a tremendous imbalance in who initiates 
        a get together, how ever its done.

>    	Bob, that is as nice as I know how to say it and am talking
>    	about ideas (and not attacking you.)  I suggest that continued
>    	discussions between us should be written on this level.  Personal
>    	attacks are not necessary at all (from either of us.)  Agreed?
    
>    							Suzanne...

        Concur , 1000 and one percent.  Hopefully you will accept this 
        as a civil, friendly continuance of the discussion at hand.
    
                                          Bob B
178.99GCANYN::TATISTCHEFFLee TTue Nov 17 1987 03:1068
    My goodness, go away for one week and look at what happens in mennotes!
    
    Seriously though, I am one of the anomalous women who asks men out,
    rather regularly in fact.  I find that my red and yellow lights are
    very, very strong and tend to wash out my greens so they don't get
    noticed.  So all of my middle- to long-term relationships (read: t > 3
    weeks) were initiated by me.
    
    The nice thing about asking a man out is that I am in control: no
    man can say I "owe" him sex (or whatever) when I initiated and/or
    paid for the date.  The bad thing is that I am unlikely ever to
    run into the Harlequin Hero and get swept off my feet (like it's
    "supposed" to happen).  Rather I end up sweeping him off his (picture
    a 5'6" woman carrying a 6'6" man across some threshold -- rather
    funny looking, but who cares).
    
    If you're hoping for a gorgeous strange woman to ask you out, you'll
    have to wait a few centuries, unless you can wangle an introduction
    from a mutual friend.  When very attractive (physically and
    personally, from what I could tell) strangers have asked me out,
    I have HAD to say no, much to my regret; instincts are fine, but strange
    men are DANGEROUS.  If only one out of 3000 is a rapist, that is
    STILL too risky.  That is sad, if you ask me.  There are a couple
    people I would really have liked to know better.
    
    If you're hoping for that nice person across the hall to ask you
    out (and you know her) I would suggest clear green signals.  I can
    say that a few more men would have been asked out by me if they
    put out better signals.  There have been a few times when I thought
    I perceived a cold shoulder and later found out the person was actually
    very interested.
    
    To those of you who feel it is unfair to require green lights, tough.
    I put out those lights and try to make them very clear (though SOME
    bad apples tend to ignore them).  If women do it, so can men.
    
    I do have one question, though: what are men's green lights?  My
    green is permitting any touch (yes, if I "casually" brush up against
    you, it is a very, very green light), and I have found many men
    also send out that one.  But simply agreeing to go out to dinner
    when I ask is not necessarily a green light -- some guys think I'm
    just being platonic/friendly if we go out to dinner, especially
    if we have been friends for quite a while.
    
    Which brings up another question: what are men's red lights?  Maybe
    I'm dense or I've just run into a few ambiguous guys, but SOME men
    don't send out any signals, go-away OR come-hither.  
    
    Inputs are always appreciated.  Gotta hone that technique.
    
    Comic relief:
    
    In San Francisco, I had been visiting with a gay friend of mine.
    We were discussing playing around with sex roles and I had described
    my latest, er, conquest: took a guy out to a VERY nice restaurant
    with candles, etc.  [While my wallet won't let me do that again for
    awhile, I enjoyed it a lot and it was fun to watch Michael get
    accustomed to the role-reversal (he's a traditional sort at times).]
    I told this to my friend over dinner.  When the check arrived, we
    scrambled for it and I managed to get it before he did.  He pulled
    out his wallet and I told him to put it away.  When the credit card
    form arrived, he reached for that, wondering (I guess) how much
    dinner cost.  When I wouldn't let him see it he said, "Oh you always
    get to be the man".
    
    <chortle>
    
    Lee
178.100RANCHO::HOLTHere, give me that knife!Tue Nov 17 1987 18:4916
    
    You certainly have a right to expect a certain amount of social
    awareness in a gentleman. I have no particular problem with it.
    
    Usually it is the woman who makes the more crucial descision, that
    is, whether you want to be bored by this particular clown, now or
    in the future. That can be a very strategic descision, depending
    on the persistance of the particular clown in question. 
    
    Yes, I have a twitch up my right leg every time a woman goes for
    her wallet. Again, gentlemen acknowlege women's ability to accumulate
    and control wealth and supress latent chauvinist instincts. The
    corporate setting tends to accustom men to seeing female sales reps
    charging buisness related meals. 
    
    So you went away... so what happened..? 
178.10125691::STHILAIREyou may say I'm a dreamerWed Nov 18 1987 14:2221
    re .99, I would also like to hear some men say what some "red lights
   " are.  I mean if someone has always been friendly and pleasant to
    you but would never be interested in dating you, *is* there any
    way you can tell that so that you would know never to make the mistake
    of asking that person out?
    
    I suspect that when most men say they wished women would ask them
    out what they really are saying is that they want a "gorgeous stranger"
    to approach them, not some average looking woman they've seen around.
    
    I've very rarely asked men out, and recently asked a guy to lunch
    for the first time in ages.  Actually, I had nothing more in mind
    than just chatting and getting to know this person as a friend,
    but he declined in a way that sounded as though her were declining
    a date.  Basically, I was just feeling lonely and felt like a needed
    a few more friends.  How can a woman initiate *friendship* with
    a man without having them react like they just got a marriage proposal
    out of nowhere?
    
    Lorna
    
178.10257578::WILLIAMSWed Nov 18 1987 15:3315
    	Re 101:
    
    	I really don't know how a woman should go about this but as
    a man I always state up front the reason for the request:
    
    	"How about a friendly lunch?"
    
    	"How about sime time together outside the office?"
    
    	The former is an invitation to be a bit more friendly.  The
    latter is an invitation to investigate a relationship.  The wording
    leaves a good deal to be desired since both sentences are taken
    out of context.
    
    Douglas
178.103CEODEV::FAULKNERtickets, going going gone....Wed Nov 18 1987 19:3213
    re 101
    with some of the people in this company simply send them a 

    	triplicate, notarized, tri-witnessed, certificate stating quite
    	firmly that you a.
                          Have not chosen the taffeta (sp?) wedding
    				gown

    		b. are not out sizing wedding bands
    
    	c. have no intention too 
    
    	JUST LUNCH.
178.104But who says a great lady can't be gorgeous?COMET::BRUNOBeware the Night Writer!Thu Nov 19 1987 01:3114
    
    Re: .99
    
         What you said is reasonably valid, but the 'gorgeous stranger'
    idea is a baseless presumption.  The two women above a 9 on the
    wolf scale, that I know, often complain about not getting asked
    out.  And, several guys have made the comment that the extremely
    attractive women that they've dated left a bad taste in their mouths
    (figuratively).  From this, I get the impression that, like me,
    many guys are not even LOOKING for a 'gorgeous stranger', but maybe
    a great lady.
    
                               Greg
    
178.105Healthy Initiatives Work WondersXCELR8::POLLITZThu Nov 19 1987 02:0720
                Is Resistance to (good) Ideas the Prob?
    
                Physics 101:            C  =  V / R
                              
                            Current = Voltage/Resistance
    
                Date(Chance/Probability)=Date(*ASK*)/Date(no ask)
                                         (or no ask)/(answer no)
    
                Has anyone said "Good idea!, I'll consider asking a
    Guy out?  If I like it, I may continue to ask men out, and perhaps
    encourage other women to try it."  So much Resistance, be it Rights
    talk, psychology, creative alternatives, or what have you. 
      If a dozen arguements form against even whether one "should" ask
    (or try it), then what Chance does the Actual EVENT of *ASKING*
    Got?  It seems People get stuck halfway thru these (silly) distractions
    and forget(never get to) what the Goal Was in the first place.
      IS IT A GOOD IDEA   ..... whose Time has Come ? 
    
                                                         Russ
178.106If only we could all do it more...XCELR8::POLLITZThu Nov 19 1987 02:291
    re .105     Put (answer yes) as a 3rd item in the Resistance formula.
178.107FPOVAX::RAINEYFri Nov 20 1987 13:526
    re .106
    
    Yes, I think it is a good idea-I have asked men out before
    with favorable response and probably would in the future.
    
    Chris
178.108Yer RIght. Some are aPRIZE (1st or Booby?).BETA::EARLYBob_the_HikerWed Dec 02 1987 15:1930
    re: .0
    
    Your point, that some men ARE a prize, is well taken. I've been
    asked out several times in the past few years, some of which I declined
    because - that although I seemed a "prize" to them, I was also seeking
    a 'prize' to be with.
    
    Perhaps some , like yourself, have not yet met up with that person
    who thinks you special enough to take that risk with you ?
    
    But, no matter, even for the ones who failed miserabley to excercise
    their good sense to ask me; rather than commiserate on their stupidity,
    i respected their personal choice, played sexist once again, and
    asked them out ... often to the credit of us both ;^)  .
    
    Reality is: Dating is still a trauma for many people, and although
    we have instituted an acceptable 'Social mechanism' which says that
    its 'ok' for women to ask men out; the reality is that many (most
    ?) still won't ask a man out for the 'First Date'.
    
    Frankly, I can't say I blame them, because long ago I gave up (mostly)
    the notion of asking women out on dates that I didn't already know
    in some measure; either through group contacts : (Parties, notes,
    hiking, clubs, dances, introducions by mutual friends, etc) because
    of the stigmatized trauma that comes with 'Rejection'.
    
    So, if someone does ask you out: Great !; but why fault the genration
    for adhering to what "mama told 'em " when they were young ?
    
    Bob
178.109my mother/myselfXCELR8::POLLITZTue Dec 08 1987 00:0811
    re .108
    
         You're right. Usage of the neocortex occurs in *Some men*,
    and those men that show direct interest in life and others *are*
    a prize.
        Regarding lack of neocortex usage by others, I also concur.
    As has been proven here, non-usage of that faculty of mind is a
    right, a non-issue, and a 'cultural phenomenon'.
        Dating initiatives are small part of the picture. Delve deeper.
    
                                                          Russ
178.111Where Have All The Children Gone...,XCELR8::POLLITZWed Dec 09 1987 03:1535
                           ... long time ago...
    
        re  .110   
                  Did you interpret 'others' correctly? 
                  To think that I would think that .... :-)
    
               The note 'Beautiful Women who can't get Dates' is perfect
          justice for those women who rarely, if ever, ask a man out
          in return. Dating initiative is a stage in the courtship 
          process, and I respect those men and women who show intellectual
          and emotional directness in all stages of that Important Process.
          
             Envision a pair of 5 yr olds, a girl and a boy. At the
          far ends of a large sandbox, they play with sand and toys.
          Each visits the other in all areas of the sandbox, playground,
          home, etc. Freely and joyfully, these 2 individuals play together
          along with doing their own thing. 
         
             Somewhere along the 'growth' line, that freedom changed.
          The boys and girls largely form friends with their own sex,
          ideas of us/them stereotypes developed, boys get pressured
          in adolescence to have to ask the girls out, the girls tend
          to start giving signs/signals of interest, the idea of per-
          forming sexual moves with a date in Dad's car get's instilled
          in the young man's mind, and so forth and so on.
    
             I don't know a better place to start to point the finger
          by first zeroing in on the Family. I think the lack of Adult
          Thinking, maturity, guidance, direction, etc leads to the
          outgrowth of other 'bad' influences, ie peers, TV-Movies,
          media, politics, and so forth. Hell what COUNTS is INNER BEAUTY!
          Ideas of truth and beauty invariably are the focus (direct
          or indirect) of my notes.  So I'm a purist.
    
                                                       Russell
178.113Stereotyping is hard to changeZURA2::OLLODARTWed Dec 09 1987 12:0712
    re:104 re:99
    I tend to agree that extremely good looking women have the
    tendency to be categorized as "stuck up B@t@c@h@.. I've
    noticed that my friends (male), as well as myself, wouldn't
    ask a too good looking lady out, simply because (C=V/R) the
    resistance factor was too high based on what I said in the
    first sentence.
    Even if the good looking lady is very nice.  Stereotyping is
    hard to change.
    
    Peter
    
178.114doing the jobXCELR8::POLLITZWed Dec 09 1987 15:4015
    re .112   .81 deleted some premature conclusions in .0. Things like
    poor dating initiatives and kitch cosmetics do not crack my Top
    100 things I look for in a woman. But they're on the list.
       I think the topic got people thinking about ways the sexes
    express interest in each other. There are all sorts of ways the
    2 sexes meet (or don't get to meet). Most Men ask and most Women
    don't. So what. As Greg said in 183.11, "..Luckily, men will still
    do the job." Unfortunately, it is a Job. 
       If singles could (say) ask the other out an ave of once a month,
    a bad 0 - 6 run would mean little, as the other sex's *ASKS* would
    be coming in. But NOOOOOO.....
       Shall we discuss personal initiatives, Family influences, etc
    here, or might 'more important matters' best be explored in WWIII.
    
                                                     Russ
178.115RAINBO::MODICAWed Dec 09 1987 15:559
    Russ, you bring up some fascinating points...
    
    I read a study a while ago that stated that women, though they
    don't actually do the asking, are the ones who control the dating
    game. They give the signals, they make the decisions regarding
    yes and no. I discussed this with my wife and it held true for us.
    Looking back, it also fit the dating pattterns I had experienced.
    Could it be that to do the asking is in effect relinquishing
    the "seat of power" in the dating game? 
178.116COMET::BRUNOBeware the Night Writer!Thu Dec 10 1987 06:4610
    
    Re:.115
    
         Of course, that only applies in the cases in which the male
    waits to receive the signals.  In some instances, particuarly bar
    situations, males have been known to attack without intentional
    temptation on the female's part.
    
                                Greg
    
178.117Surrealistic PillowXCELR8::POLLITZFri Dec 11 1987 14:3249
                            { She has Funny Cars* }
    
    Re .116 touching on .115
                              Why don't Women just plain ask Men (that
    they're interested in) out? Did/does an organization like NOW ever
    encourage it? What's with all these 'superior ways to meet' 3rd
    parties ( dating services, classif ads, etc ) for anyhow? Why pay
    $400 - $1000+ for 12 meetings/yr. Are people too buried in their
    careers/lifestyle to make the time and explore the world meeting
    people? I laughed at a recent Boston Magazine cover with a Yuppie
    caught up to her ears in 'work, etc, too busy for much else.
    Re Everybody: Exactly What is expressing *Interest* in oneself and
    someone else? Do both sexes express 'equal' intellectual and emotion-
    al *interest* in each other? How might such *interest* be best shown
    by the 2 sexes in this topic, the exploration of*best ideas/decisions,
    and important issues? Are such things being best shown by adults
    this day and age? If so, what's going right, if not, what's wrong-
    and what's a good correction? 
       When was the last time emotional arguements interferred with
    a good discussion of yours? Does lack of emotional capacity by a
    party do in a good discussion, ie does that party bring on emotion-
    al/personal 'things' largely/entirely unrelated to the topic at
    hand? Does the I/E capacity (range, refined feelings, depth,etc)
    of the party being 'attacked' start to get tested/stressed out
    during a topic shift that was once rational, but became personal?
    How well does such party hold up under such a shift? To what degree
    does the 'attacked party' to blame for joining in on the 'attack
    mentality? (corr-not does,is) When is such 'defense' really justified
    and when is it not? Did the party being attacked have the I/E Capacity/
    MATURITY, not to join in an emotional arguement except as a (very)
    last resort?  We're not talking about dating anymore are we? Anyhow,
    how often does the original issue return to the original form and
    how often is the *best decision* regarding Issues reached by the
    2 (or 1!) parties in question? Also following thru to higher levels
    of an issue/idea (ie following a budget, investments, long range
    college plans-children/self, values, perceptions of 'reality,etc)?
    How often does emotion sabotage an idea/plan? Individual/Mutual.
    Do people control emotions, or allow emotions to control them?
    When where, and with who/what? And most important --  WHY ?
        So what is an Adult? When are Healthy Initiatives *allowed*
    to *control/dominate a talk/action?  Is there a such thing as Self
    Intimidation??  Does one sex wrongly idolize the other? Are both
    sexes a bit overinflated in Value Perceptions of self/others?
    What is behind all these masks/facades we often show/hide behind?
    A lot or not much? Not done but gotta go...
    
                                           *and so do men...
                                                                   
                                                          Russ
178.1182 or 3?ULTRA::LARULet's get metaphysicalFri Dec 18 1987 20:244
    maybe some of the guys who don't get asked out by women just aren't as
    close to '10' as they'd like to think...
    
    	
178.119worn out 5 stampXCELR8::POLLITZSat Dec 19 1987 02:213
    re  .118   Of course if Dec/Society had dating initiative performance
               quotas (asks), some guys indeed would be getting 'those'
               2's and 3's. And the women...
178.120lets hear it for the guys who are differentYAZOO::B_REINKEwhere the sidewalk endsSat Dec 19 1987 02:425
    wer I single I would look for the 2's and 3's because I found
    that guys that *society* grades that way...make fantastic wonderful
    *10* husbands (well at least one husband but my friends say like
    wise.. :-)) and fathers.. and for that matter, make the sort of
    men who can be just plane friends..no pressure...
178.121Wrong Crowd?NEXUS::MORGANIn your heart you KNOW it's flat.Mon Dec 21 1987 19:598
    Perhaps you guys are running in the wrong crowd. I'm neither God
    nor dog but I get asked all the time. I get politely propositioned
    to.
    
    Check your appearence, be sensitive, let women know that you like sex
    and run with the women that are inclined to like sex and are not
    afraid of their bodies. It takes some looking and some practice
    but it's rewarding.
178.122I'll settle for getting asked outSTARCH::WHALENHe who laughs lastsMon Dec 21 1987 21:259
    re .121
    
    I think that I'm speaking for most of the men when I say that I
    would be happy to get asked out occasionally.  While it may be
    flattering to get propositioned once in a while, sex outside of
    a relationship is not very rewarding and not something that I'm
    looking for.
    
    Rich
178.123Sure?NEXUS::MORGANIn your heart you KNOW it's flat.Tue Dec 22 1987 00:453
    Reply to .122; Whalen,
    
    Are you sure you speak for most men?
178.124The gistCOMET::BRUNOBeware the Night Writer!Tue Dec 22 1987 01:317
    
    Re: .123
    
         He's got the general idea.  As always, though, there are
    variations.
                                     Greg
    
178.125The question is closed then...NEXUS::MORGANIn your heart you KNOW it's flat.Sun Dec 27 1987 03:453
    Reply to -.2,
    
    Then it's no wonder...
178.126COMET::BRUNOBeware the Night Writer!Mon Dec 28 1987 22:525
    
    Re: -.1
    
         By YOUR order?  HAH!
    
178.127Men settle for less(and less, and less, and...XCELR8::POLLITZThu Dec 31 1987 01:0510
    RE last few:  I think most Men settle for less. Very poor education,
                  sense of history, values and (consequently) perspectives
                  (ie Vision). Of course, what do I know. A prowling
                  about on a few Premises here, dusting off some there,
                  testing the waters here, there. A Solution here, there.
                    Might Nietzsche's "Values are what silently and
                  secretly run the World" vision ever sink in......?
                  I rather doubt it.
    
                                                          Russ
178.128NEXUS::MORGANIn your heart you KNOW it's flat.Thu Dec 31 1987 22:363
    Reply to .127, Russ,
    
    What are you talking about??
178.129the Real Enemy: Man's ToleranceXCELR8::POLLITZFri Jan 01 1988 03:2376
    re .128       What is an educated Gentleman. 
                  Did Father spoil Mom.
                  Did they teach us Life.
                  NOW's Premises + Blaming Men Heavily.VERY HEAVILY.
                  Were/Are NOW"s *Leaders* the VERY BEST in the WORLD?
                  (No compromise[for less] on the above urgency)
                  Did MEN...MEN settle for Less when the Women FLAMED
                  them HARD day after Day after Day in the '70's?
                  After a long hard day at work. And caring. And
                  listening. Providing. Yes, Mr OPPRESSIVE, SEXIST
                  CHAUVINIST PIG. 
                  WERE NOW'S Ideas professionally or emotionally 
                  presented. Feminist followers. Civil or fanatic.
                  Did many housewives change the Respect and Admir-
                  ation they once had toward their husbands. Rightly?
                  Do you, as a Man feel that most Women view Men in
                  todays Society in the right 'light'? Better or
                  worse, compared with 20, 30, 40 years ago? 
                  Were the massive Marches, Protests, ERA, Abortions,
                  Divorces, Accusations, Case studies, Psychology,
                  Sociological 'Realities', Oppression, Sexist, Chauvanist
                  AD NAUSEUM ... REALLY ALL SUPER HEAVILY  M E N'S
                  FAULT ??   I ask you.  WHO REALLY MIGHT VERY
                  POSSIBLY **BE**, the tyrant in those 'Lovely 1968-
                  80 (being kind) Blame Games eh? 
                     Men?  Or (v. slim chance)... NOW & ALL of its'
                  *FOLLOWERS*........ *ESP* Women, and Loads of 'men'.
    
                     So NOW's Premises & Solutions were/are absolutely
                  correct. Highest Level. For Families, Christianity,
                  and = blame/responsibility for All of *Society ills*
    
                    Their Premises/accusations hold Sexual Inequality
                 (Sexual Immaturity-surprise!) as an = fault. Both
                  sexes are equally to blame for *Societies* (Family)
                  Problems. That impression was firmly made in the 70's.
    
                  NOW's Ms magazine has been a shining example of showing
                  Men and Women how much the organization is 'FOR'both
                  sexes. Male/female criticisms are balanced, and warmth
                  is shown to Men in very deep, caring fashion.
    
                  NOW's Book Reviews & Book suggestions are balanced
                  and unbiased towards either sex. 
    
                  NOW's press releases equally praise/blame the sexes
                  and both Political Parties in a Mature, balanced way.
    
                 NOW selects President's like Collette Dowling.
    
                  NOW's messages were heard by 'highly educated housewives'
                  c. 1967-73, and these women convinced their husbands
                  how VERY  **WRONG** nearly ALL of their **Husbands**
                  prejudices, attitudes, behaviors, treatments, etc
                  were. All AGAINST WOMEN.  He always behaved against
                  her & other women in an unhuman, unfeeling, abusive,
                  sexist, oppressive, demeaning, tyrannical, insensitive,
                  authoritarian way. Not to mention,..................
    
                  Susan Brownmiller said that ALL MEN RAPE & hold ALL
                  WOMEN HOSTAGE THRU  I N T I M I D A T I O N.
    
    
                  RECENTLY NOW SAID...............................
    
    
                  GENTLEMEN: Have You read Ms Today?
                             Weren't the 70's Loverly............
                             Anything Ring any Bells ...Yet ?
    
               Nice day for a White Wedding isn't it ?
    
    
                                                   say your prayers
    
                                                          Russ
178.130CEODEV::FAULKNERGOD, drives a camaro.Sat Jan 02 1988 19:432
    It makes me feel good to realize the more someone talks the less
    I understand him; and I ain't alone.
178.131Why not post something appropriate for the topic??NEXUS::MORGANIn your heart you KNOW it's flat.Sat Jan 02 1988 20:155
    Reply to .130, Kerry,
    
    For once I fully agree, you are not alone. I don't know that he's
    talking about either. It'd probably help if he posted something
    appropriate to the topic.
178.132ask & ye shall receiveXCELR8::POLLITZTue Jan 05 1988 02:3410
    re .130, 131    I agree. I had mistakingly thought the topic was
                 *Deliberately* ratholed long ago and was starting to
                 feel free to use the place as an anything ground. 
                    Again, my regrets for the offenses. The Poor tangents.
          ps 131 I apologize for saying anything about the 'sex rev'
                 'over there'. Any traditional values are obviously
                 obsolete this Godless, hedonistic, VD, unwanted preg-
                 nancy, AIDS age. Yes, experience. I see whaT YOU MEAN.
    
                                                          RUSS
178.133NEXUS::MORGANIn your heart you KNOW it's flat.Sat Jan 09 1988 22:274
    Reply to .132; Russ,
    
    You can say anything you want but pleeeeezzzzeee enter something
    appropriate to the topic or start another one...
178.134ladies I'm availableXCELR8::POLLITZMon Jan 11 1988 03:3314
    re .133   Mike, what more do you think can be said about the fact
              that few women ask men out?  We can look into the ways
              that typical growing boys and girls are raised, drawing
              out some info (about each sex's input/expectations), and
              make a few educated conclusions. 
                In a w/nts topic (548?) I was pleased to see some 
              enthusiastic responses. Women were encouraging other
              Women that asking a Man out was a perfectly good thing
              to do, if they so chose to. 
                Maybe I should find out how many Men can really cook
              or clean a House?  :-)   What the h*ll.
    
                                                        regards,
                                                                Russ
178.135QUARK::LIONELWe all live in a yellow subroutineMon Jan 11 1988 19:1514
    Re: .134
    
    Russ, if you're "available", it sounds like HIT::SINGLES is the
    conference for you.  If you sound attractive enough, you'll get
    replies from women.
    
    Many men are perfectly capable of cooking and cleaning.  I like to
    think of myself as one, but my grandmother doesn't seem to believe me -
    she keeps asking if I have a maid.  (Her increduility isn't based
    on seeing my house or sampling my cooking, which she hasn't done,
    but rather on my late grandfather's inability to even FIND the kitchen
    much make use of it!)
    
    					Steve
178.136NOW has arrivedXCELR8::POLLITZWed Jan 13 1988 02:425
    RE .135   I just got asked out by a very caring, perceptive
              woman. So as of now, I'm 'unavailable'. Somebody
              up there likes me. :-) 
    
                                                       Russ
178.137Good Luck with the new lady...FSLENG::HEFFERNWed Jan 13 1988 09:547
    CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Did it "make your day"?
    
    How do you figure on being "unavailble" already?  Quick
    judgement isn't it?
    
                                   cj
    
178.138how sweet it isXCELR8::POLLITZWed Jan 13 1988 10:529
    re .137   Well I'm always open to suggestion.   :-)
    
    
    ps yes it made my day.
       
       Alas some judgements
       do come quick. :-)                           
                                                       riding high,
                                                                   Russ
178.139broken heartXCELR8::POLLITZWed Feb 24 1988 16:075
    re .135   Oh well it didn't work out.  You think Singles is the
            place for me?  Guess I better not put down 'radical
            masculinist'.  I might have to cook then. :-)
    
                                                 Russ
178.140Don't give up!!!!FSTVAX::PLAMONDONThu Mar 03 1988 18:297
    re .139
    
      Don't feel bad, it didn't work for me either, but don't give up
    the ship. I am a firm believer that there is someone for everyone.
    
    
                                 Jules