Thursday, September 24, 2009

'Things to teach your sons about women'

I remember reading an email (years ago) by a friend who said that people must all opt for the gender detection test during pregnancy and abort the foetus if it is male, to set off the female foeticide guilt, and I remember telling her (no, I did not tell her she was off her rocker, because I know she din't mean it as it seemed, and she's a very kind woman, thankyouverymuch), that I would be glad to have a son, so that I can hopeful make sure he's a sensitive and non-chauvinistic male.

Well, so I got one. And now CNN's telling me the 18 things that mothers must teach theirs sons about women, and while it's a very trendy (read superficial, but very feel-good) read, they have a couple of good points:

1. Pick your battles. - Oh SO true.

2. Walk on the outside (closer to the street) of your female companion.

3. Saying "You're being crazy" is never an appropriate response, unless you want her to go postal on you.

4. Cooking, cleaning, and taking care of kids are things men can actually do as well as women. - Ditto

5. Keep backup supplies of quality chocolate in the house for her to raid.

6. Buying tampons and other feminine products shouldn't embarrass you: everyone knows they're not for you.

7. Women like compliments and gifts.

8. Earning less than her shouldn't be emasculating. - You know this seems like the simplest thing, but its a complex so deeply hardwired into their brains that it almost seems like part of their DNA.

9. Be on time, even if she usually isn't.

10. Don't be a pouty puppy when shopping with her.

11. Find out what her favorite flower is. - Mine's Daisy. What's yours?

12. If you like her, then don't buy her shoes; it's bad luck. - Damn. Nino's Dad's bought me tons and tons and tons of shoes. Seriously, how difficult is it to say Red, Size 5, Heels everytime there's an occasion to celebrate? Nino's learning this one for sure ;)

13. Smiling and nodding aren't the same as listening.

14. It's OK to cry in front of her, but keep the blubbering to a minimum.

15. Personality goes a long way.

16. At some point she'll be more important than your mother.

17. You will never completely understand women.

18. Oh yeah, and no woman will ever be good enough for my baby! - no way
--

I'd add a couple more, but right now they'd be pretty morose, so instead why don't you tell me which ones work for you and which ones don't.

9 comments:

Solilo said...

"11. Find out what her favorite flower is. - Mine's Daisy. What's yours?"

Mine is Daisy too and I have mentioned it many times on my blog too. So same pinch.

Check first one here.

http://mesoliloquy.wordpress.com/2009/03/30/a-certain-smile-a-certain-sadness/

Like you list. :D

Broom said...

11 - Sunflowers & Gerberas!

And I don't agree with the leaving chocolate around bit. I'd be really mad if TG left me chocolates and enabled my bad habits!

Anonymous said...

Quite a few of these points I like. I am going to email them to my husband.

And my fanourite flower is the rose. Also tube roses and jasmines and lilies:)

Best wishes,
Anjali

Anonymous said...

and all the ladies would be so much happier if the men were more like ladies.

ladies = good
men = bad

that's the message i hear these days. one thing i have learnt very late in life is that men and women are very different. no use denying it.

i have a son, and am jolly well going to make sure he's not ashamed to be a man.

- maya

nitya said...

And what about complimenting the food we cook? Verrry important! :-)

Nino's Mum said...

Solilo - yeah! I remember!

Broom - awww... you know I kinda associated you with the flowers? lol about the chocolate! what about me? Its the last thing I'm ever tempted to eat!

Anjali - :) nice. Love lilies too. And my mum always smells of jasmine in the winter: she puts little vases all over her house.

Maya - good on you. you should raise a child to be proud of whoever he/she is - because only someone who is proud of who they are, can take pride in someone else. Chauvinism - is basically having a preconceived notion and both men and women can have it. This was just one way to working on it. And no, no one is saying the ladies are good and men are bad. You've just met me, haven't you?

Nitya - oh so true! although I don't cook as well, so I kinda don't expect it :D

Anonymous said...

This is a good list. I remember the first time my husband gave me flowers and they were something exotic. I was disappointed and he couldn't figure it out. He thought roses were cliched but they are still my favourite.
I can think of plenty more in an Indian context (most of it dealing with extended family) but I'd rather not go there now :)
- Uma

Choxbox said...

hmm. looks like the MIL has done an okay jobs with her son :)

fwding this to the sibs, both of who have boys.

ra said...

http://punarjanman.wordpress.com/2007/04/04/letter-to-parents-of-sons/