Agree - there is a hormonal-emotional connection. Probably stronger is some than in others, probably stronger at some periods of life than others.

Personally - I know I am more pessimistic right before my period - just as I am more euphorically energized after those few days.

It is the discounting of any negatively perceived emotion as "just" hormones that make a lot of women mad to the point they won't even discuss the connections that are there.

And I guess I resent how dismissed as hormonal, any reaction to life that seems inconvenient to the men involved with the woman. An example of that would be getting mad at something that the male find angry provoking - that is an OKAY responce. Getting mad at something he doesn't, seems to provoke the question of hormones.

There is nothing more annoying than to be annoyed or sad legitamately at something, and have some male question the status of your hormones.

Never just emotion, it is either PMS or Menopause.

So a female is only allowed to have emotions (that are inconvenient to others) when they are 10 or younger - or 60 and older?

Gah! That make me so pissed off! Is there a drug for that?

I had a curious discussion with a math professor when I was getting my degree. She said that the women in the math program tend to be "better" than the men.

That doesn't mean that women are better than men as much as it said that only the women who were very good, took on college math.

Which is unfortunate.

My own observations (with myself as participant included) is that when surrounded by males in a "male" study, women tend to be less outspoken and only speak out when they are VERY sure of the answer. Men seem much more comfortable in making mistakes in public. (and being mocked for making a mistake - sorry - it does exist, as does the "stupid girl" attitude in enough small pockets to make its impact)

I believe this is due to perceptions of females being "bad" at math. If you are female and make a public error - it might be perceived as a failure due to your gender. Males seem not to have this burden.

I am not a fan of dis-integrated schooling as that can lead to one group getting a better education, but I can see certain classes being segregated (like high school level) for certain subjects. I think it important to lay the foundation of confidence and rid the gender burden of expected failure.

I feel the same way about english as a second language students. Math is math and a lot of times learning math AND proficiency in English creates a burden that could be dispelled by early math (up to grade 4) being taught in the primary language -and intergration later when language has caught up.

Big Cheese - a joke told to me by a female friend's mother:

What's the difference between a porcupine and a corvette?

With the porcupine, the pricks are on the outside.

LOTS of women look a men who drive a sports and are less impressed by that man than they would be if they didn't know what he drove. Superficial? Yeah. But there are a lot of young-mid-aged men who think a sports car does make them more attractive to women.

And to be frank - they do attract a type of woman who equates a sports car with disposable money. They can be identified by their attempts to barbify themselves.

Just because a stereotype exists, doesn't mean there is no basis!

(oh - and I've heard lamentations from a couple of my sports car driving male friends that women are SO superficial! Maybe they would attract a higher quality of female with a Corolla?)

Asehpe - I've wondered if the real reason women don't seem to make passes or are too passive lies more in women have a different communication style than men. Whether it is inherent, or cultural, I am not sure.

I know that I have made overtures to a man, only to find out later, he totally did not pick up on it. Over his head, or under his wire, he totally missed it! I've seen different communication styles at work - at work as well. I've had to modify my style to be heard (when I work with mainly men). And that style does not work well in groups of mainly women.

It would be interesting to see taught how to recognise communication styles - the way there are classes in working with the Japan, and now, working with India classes are offered in the corporate world. Women working with men seem to be more (overtly) successful when they adopt a male style. And I have noticed that men who have a lot of female friends, have adopted some female communication techniques. Curiously, the typical "man's man" only seems to attract a bevy of beta men! (and women who like sports cars :)

But this is far off topic . . . . okay $26 for unprotected sex with a London hooker? Is that US or Euro. Times are tough I guess.

Brightstar said, in reference to his past girlfriends "Yet still, each one of them had a passel of 'deal breaker' behaviors, attitudes, conditions, etc etc that they could not tolerate in their boyfriend. Stupid stuff like I had to be liberal and eat all that crap up or else. I kept quiet. It was quite clear what the alternative was."

Okay, Brightstar, if you were nice enough to get them and then started spouting the stuff you do here - NO WONDER THEY RAN!

No "good" woman will stay with a man who obviously disrespects them - especially if they are only dating. The women who would stay with a man who dispises their 'group' have some other issues going on.

The problem with women Brightstar is all in your head.