So what do I know about men so far?
Probably enough to fill a sticky note (small size) but here goes 1 or 2 insights:
1. Just another dude.
I spent about 3 hours Sunday afternoon working on last minute documents with my boss who brought along his 4-year old boy. In general, I have no patience for little ones in the office, especially when a male employee hopes a coworker’s womanly skills would kick in and give him a few hours of peace.
I was okay with this boy because his Swedish father has that no-nonsense thing that Europeans have with their children. None of that time-outs and whiny pleases to a toddler. However, something happened that lead the two men (1 and a quarter man) fight over a chair near the window.
You’d think the father would let the boy sit and just grab another, or put him on his lap or something. Nope. They begin a shoving match, an earnest shoving match, that has the father seeing red with anger and the boy screeching. WTF! Honestly, evolution needs a few more millennia to sort this little glitch out.
2. Groom everywhere but in a bathroom.
Okay, I can tolerate an occasional ass-picking, especially if in a crowded restaurant or elevator and you don’t think anyone notices. I can even tolerate fishing a stubborn piece of steak out of your front teeth. It is distracting to no end anyway.
But to meditate on a particularly interesting nose-dig, roll whatever you fish out between your fingers, stare at it with a mix of bemusement and pride, and then flick it to the side or wipe it on your pants? I’m sorry to say it, ma’am, but your son is a fucking animal and you should have been shot on the birthing bed when you brought him into our world.
3. Every moment threatens ego.
This is my advice to young guys in business. Sit still. No, no, I don’t mean to sit with a straight back and a stiff jaw like Donald Trump. I mean just SIT, say little, listen more, and most of all THINK before you speak. Don’t tell sexist, racist, xenophobic and/or homophobic jokes and for the love of all holy things, don’t quote Bill Gates, Michael Jordan, or mayor Guilliani.
Don’t interrupt people or pretend the women on your team (some of whom your seniors) don’t exist. People can see you for what you are and it is a fucking mess. Can’t keep all that in mind? Here’s a simplified version: just shut your mouth.
Don’t worry, the women’s turn is next lest I be accused of discriminating against Olympic ass-pickers.
December 7, 2007 at 2:34 pm
ewww nasty…I’ve had a visual image burned in my brain now…thanks alot!!!
I hate nose pickers and those people that hack disgustingly loud in the bathroom trying to dislodge a phlegm.
December 8, 2007 at 1:11 am
lol aya how u bemuse me!!!
but yes having four brothers and no sisters (yes pity me) i understand all about boys and their *erm* so called habits!
December 8, 2007 at 6:46 am
OMG….like OMG….hahahaha. im all laughed out from a previous msn convo, but ur post is jokes. i’d print all ur posts out, and make them into a real memoir–and let ur future kids read them when they are old enough. or keep as something to laugh about when u grow old.
December 8, 2007 at 8:17 am
Lol, you’re too much hun but right on the money. I have five brothers and that was exposure enough into the male psyche.
So now that the assignment is nearly over, wanna join me for a trip to Norway early January? Jan Fredrik is having a show. We can go up north, stay in a cabin, ski and drink loads of hot chocolate. Let me know… we definitely have a spot open for you.
December 8, 2007 at 10:00 am
hehe…..Y chromosome entails so much! lool
December 9, 2007 at 10:06 am
Come on Aya, not every man is as you have described. Not even a majority. Our half of the human species has its rotten apples just like every other group in life.
Hurry up and write the piece on women or you may forever remain in my books as sexist.
I see A. has invited you over to Norway, please say yes so that I, together with the other men on the trip, may change your mind so that when you next write it will be a piece raving about us
And now, how are you?
December 9, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Lone Dreamer, you’re welcome
I hate hackers too! Nomads who do that at a dinner table are on my hit list.
Idil, you know!
Queen, hon, I will tell those damn kids my stories live! And they will listen and like them, dammit
AMTAF, I don’t know what I would’ve done with 5 brother, the 3 I had made the house into a barn when they were teens. OMG, A. are you going back to Europe??? *screams*. Skiing in Norway? I would love to come, hon! How early in January? I will send you an e-mail.
Native,
Ze German, I am doing very well, friend, how are you? Oh, I know that most men are cool but the ones that are not get all my attention. I promise you to write about the women very soon and you shall be very pleased (and convinced that I am not sexist – I am annoyed by all equally
).
I know you’re all a cool bunch and I’m so excited about coming to meet you and A. and the rest of the gang. I’m going to do my best to come (may have to rearrange a trip scheduled for later in January).
December 10, 2007 at 1:28 pm
no comment aya walaal, taking this chance to say eid mubarak and a happy new year.
December 10, 2007 at 4:01 pm
I once spotted a catering staff member at a hospital walk out of the canteen and slip his hand between his butt cheeks for a good scratch. He just happened to be male. The two are not coincidental. LoL.
December 11, 2007 at 12:37 pm
As the youngest of a family with four sons you can only imagine how my childhood turned out. My brothers brought me up like their sexually confused little brother. By the time I hit puberty I was a ragging lunatic with very bad manners. If it was not for women men would be… lol!
December 11, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Actually having 5 brothers wasn’t bad at all – the life lessons brothers can impart (especially my older brother) were priceless. It might have turned out differently with them suffocating me as I’ve seen happen to many girls but mine were supportive. Even my older brother who funny enough is more strict than my dad is protective without the suffocation. Besides, they taught me how to fight. Nothing more valuable
…
Moving on, Norway’s trip is from 5-13 January since majority of the people will be at the reunion in Paris from 31 Dec – 4 Jan. The concert is on the 12th. Hope those dates work for you.
December 11, 2007 at 7:49 pm
^ so darn nosey of me but what trip is this? What reunion? Why isn’t somebody writing about this? And can I join u?
Go to bed, woman….
December 15, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Cigaal, walaal, Eid Mubarak and happy new year to you. Don’t worry, you guys rock! Love that Nina Simone song.
Nativedaughter, lol @ ‘sexually confused brother’, too funny! I had brothers too and tens of male cousins. I could throw a punch like the best of them.
AMTAF, it’s interesting how being sandwiched between brothers changes your perspective on male-female relationships. I remember hearing a poet saying once that her brothers made her not take men too seriously. The Norway trip sounds fabulous.
Paradise,
. Ewwwwwwww @ the catering dude. He should be flogged. I’ve been trying to get away and spend a few days relaxing and my girl A. has generously offered a visit/trip. I am keeping my toes crossed to get away from a family visit.
December 16, 2007 at 1:20 am
Now Aya. If you write anything derogatory about women it will be obvious that you’re only doing it to placate the guys. You’ll probably have to make things up, because we’re sugar and spice and everything nice!
I have to say the must disturbing thing ever was a co-worker who insisted on showing me pictures of the inside of her colon. She had Crohn’s Disease. You do not want to see that. EVER.
December 17, 2007 at 9:02 pm
euhippus, how’ve you been?! I am just going to be fair, hon, because there are lots of bitches out there with my special boot specially shaped for their behinds. I will knock the sugar and spice out of them
.
December 19, 2007 at 12:29 am
Thank you for the posts, Aya.
See how badly Somali refugees are faring in Minnesota (the title of course is facetious):
‘Minnesota’s Own Version of “Verjudung,” or How Somali Refugees Threaten Christmas In The Upper Midwest’
Michael Blaine, “Rudely Stamped”
http://www.rudelystamped.blogspot.com
June 9, 2008 at 10:40 pm
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