Are Women Anal Retentive?

[PatJ]

As I was pondering the postings on this and other web sites, the thought occured to me, "Are women anal retentive in their thinking?"

I have observed men who would love to wear skirt, kilt, and other non-bifurcated garments, but women seem to be so opposed to it.

What's with?

Are they simply anal retentive in their thinking?

I was joking at work - a small technical college - about several of us male instructors showing up for work in kilts. (The talk was to implement some kind of dress code that was more formal.) And female employees thought that that would be, "Horrible to see men's legs."

What's with?

I am getting the idea that we should basically shut women up because they simply don't think clearly. What difference does wearing one set of clothes over another and having anything with one's ability to do one's job? Surely it doesn't. Therefore, women must be anal retentive in their thinking!

Therefore, the opinion of women is invalid and should be surpressed.

Your thoughts on the matter?

PatJ

[crfriend]

[...] I am getting the idea that we should basically shut women up because they simply don't think clearly. What difference does wearing one set of clothes over another and having anything with one's ability to do one's job? Surely it doesn't. Therefore, women must be anal retentive in their thinking!

Wow, Pat, that's an awfully broad brush you're using there.

My experience is that women have been more accepting than men -- and more vocal about it when they like what they see; the men either stay quiet or snicker to themselves (unless there are two or more and they need to outdo one another). This may be an artefact of where I live and have been whilst skirted, but I suspect that in most progressive locales one will find women to be perfectly capable of rational and reasonable thought.

My suspicion in your case is that the women were either having the guys on (and the guys weren't perceptive enough to "get it") or just tossed that out without thinking (which is different from willful rejection of an idea).

Therefore, the opinion of women is invalid and should be surpressed.

What about suppressing the opinions of men who wear skirts? Blacks? Asians? Whites? I suspect the idea wouldn't pass legal muster.

An individual rejecting the thoughts of another individual is perfectly fine; an individual rejecting the thoughts of a particular class smacks of elitism, prejudice, and, frequently, ignorance. To translate that into society suppressing the thoughts of an entire class borders on the insane.

[PatJ]

I do not even begin to suppress the thoughts of any class of people, just not to accept as valid the opinion of people who, without giving the matter any thought, would surpress our freedoms.

It was one of those situations where, if you had been there, you could tell they were being totally sincere in their rejection of even the thought of men in kilts - a man's garment.

PatJ

[Since1982]

And female employees thought that that would be, "Horrible to see men's legs."

I don't see anything in that statement that says anything at all about kilts/skirts or other unbifurcated garments. THE particular woman/women you quoted MIGHT feel exactly the same way when seeing a man in shorts, rolled up trousers or swimming trunks.

As far as all of that "other" stuff you said, I wouldn't touch that with a 100 foot pole. I think you're wayyyyyyy overthinking one harmless comment.

90% of the positive comments I've had about my skirts have come from women aged 15 to 80 or so...I personally think that's very positive! :whiteflag

[binx]

I'd agree...There must be an instigator in the bunch that has issues with men's fashion freedom. I've had 98% positive comments from women, and I've got a beer belly.

binx

[crfriend]

It was one of those situations where, if you had been there, you could tell they were being totally sincere in their rejection of even the thought of men in kilts - a man's garment.

Well, then. some strong counter-arguments should have been applied right then and there. Why toss the insult aside? If the women are allowed to show off pretty much anything they want then the old saying of "What's good for the goose is good for the gander" applies.

As a general rule, I won't attribute something to malice than can be adequately explained by ignorance. But, when challenged by an assertion that has no validity when looked at with rational thought, I generally don't back down easily.

In this case, I would have demanded an answer as to why the women would find the sight of male legs "horrible". Put to the group of them, it'd be pretty easy to identify the instigator -- and then dig right down to the root cause, Just because we're men does not mean that we should to be unquestioningly subservient.

[Eagle 95]

I was joking at work - a small technical college - about several of us male instructors showing up for work in kilts. (The talk was to implement some kind of dress code that was more formal.) And female employees thought that that would be, "Horrible to see men's legs."

PatJ

heh, they must be wantin to throw up every day in summer then, what with many men (even-gasp!-their own husbands, boyfriends or sons!) wearing shorts

[Bravehearts.us]

Don’t forget, your first five words were, “I was joking at work”. They may have picked up on that and played along. Just like men in a group, women feed off of each other too. If they could see you were getting upset, it probably made it more fun for them to get your goat.
By the sound of your post it seems they got you pretty good. No one’s opinion should be invalid or suppressed, including yours as far as I'm concerned. It's how we learn about each other.
Lar

[Departed Member]

I will say that I have found most women to actually be more supportive of blokes wearing skirts as blokes, than I would have expected 20 years or so ago. As long as (and this is the crux), they, the skirts, look like they were made for a man, or are worn in such a manner as to appear 'macho' (whatever that might mean). Although my other half (and this has been a recurring theme a lot of other male skirt-wearers have experienced), gets 'hot & bothered' about what 'other folk' might think (of her or me, I wonder?), she is fully supportive of the basic principle! As long as I'm not the first, second or third (or whatever!) in the area, though. Typically, her sisters, her late mother (& that was a surprise to me!) and her best friend have all 'endorsed' my chosen apparel at some time, or other. Her best friend tells me my legs are too good, in her opinion, to 'hide' away in tr*users. My female colleagues at my former workplace (most half my age), were very positive in their encouragement. At least one 'talked' her boyfriend into one, and duly 'rewarded' him in the bedroom department! (He wouldn't wear it out of the house, though - but it's still a small step forward, I suppose!).

So no, I don't find women (in general) to be opposed to the idea. If anything, I've welcomed the positive comments, to date.

[PatJ]

Lar, (and everyone else kind enough to respond above),

Have you ever been in a work situation were one employee is favored over all others? That this employee can do no wrong regardless of what the employee says or does?

The person who made the comment is such a person. Fortunately for me, I will soon be out of that environment because retirement is a mear 308 days away.

Believe me when I say - some people are narrow minded and anal retentive.

PatJ

[Since1982]

Sure have, once worked in a Sporting Goods Store when I was in my early 20's. The owners wife was the manager. It was definitely "Her way or the highway". But, it was a very good paying job and the manager didn't do or say anything out of line with what our job descriptions were so I stayed there nearly 6 months. She "told" not "requested" us to do as she "said" not "suggested" in a very firm way. I didn't think of her as what you say is "anal retentive". I only thought of her as a firm "one way" boss. When I found a better job I quit there. AS YOU HAVE THE CHOICE TO DO also. I definitely can't or won't paint the entire female side of the human race with the same brush as you have. People are people and all different, thank the powers that be.

[skirttron]

Our forbears showed the same attitude towards women wearing trousers (pants) until the mid twentieth century - it's a meme thing.
My experience with women while wearing kilts has been entirely positive, however. The few stupid comments I have heard invariably emanated from epsilon-minus or immature men.

[earth_man]

I was joking at work - a small technical college - about several of us male instructors showing up for work in kilts. (The talk was to implement some kind of dress code that was more formal.) And female employees thought that that would be, "Horrible to see men's legs."
PatJ

My G/F likes my legs and she seems to think they look better than hers. Hers look great BTW.

[Skirt Chaser]

Therefore, the opinion of women is invalid and should be surpressed.

Yep, and I bet people say the same about those crazy ladies that think guys should be permitted to wear skirts too.

Quiet Mouse