In the eight plus years that I have known Eric, he has often employed a certain line of argument that I have had to learn to allow for the sake of conversation. A lot of people like to think that they are unique in their way of thinking, but Eric likes to consider himself the “everyman” of most debates and assumes that any man on the street would give him a “Right on, brother” to whatever his stated side may be. In the early years I would pick at his reasoning.
“Everyone in the world loves Jazz, Amy. Everyone.”
“Really? So you took a survey of the WHOLE world and discovered not one dissenter? Amazing.”
As the years have passed on, I have learned to simply let it go and leave it without a challenge. But then last night happened. Last night he laid out one of his “the whole world agrees with me” arguments and I just couldn’t let it go. I’ll start with the end of our discussion and end with the beginning.
“Seriously, Eric? The whole world agrees with you on that?”
“Well, all the men at least.”
“That’s interesting, because I have never heard such a thing. The first part makes sense to me, but that last bit is too much to swallow.”
“I doubt there is a man in the world who would disagree with me on this one.”
“You know what? I’ll ask them. Not that the whole world reads my blog, but between the friends, family, and lurkers, I bet I have a fair amount.”
“Go ahead, but I bet none of the men will tell the truth. No man would ever tell a woman how he really feels about this.”
“I’ll take that challenge. I’m going to ask the world at large if they really do agree with you on this one and we can finally put your world wide survey argument to rest.”
The whole debate began when he commented to me on some of the pictures I have posted of myself on this blog. (Exhibit A, Exhibit B)
“Those are funny, but they are not at all attractive. Funny is never attractive on a woman. Men don’t like that.”
“All men, or just you?”
“All men.”
He went on to tell me that, in fact, the only people who find women funny are other women and that men don’t typically find women funny.
I generally thought that my genius sense of humor added a good deal to my attractiveness, but Eric disagrees and I don’t argue that point. It stung a bit to hear, but I don’t disagree. The point we are stuck on is whether or not men find women to be funny or if it is only women who find women funny. I just can’t buy that. I think there are plenty of men who find women to be funny.
And now, it is up to the world to decide. I really do want answers. If you are a man, and you agree with Eric, please respond. He will appreciate the support. If you actually find women capable of humor that reaches beyond their own gender, please also respond and debunk this whole “world survey” bit of Eric’s.
*edit
Eric says that he does find me funny (for a woman), it just isn’t attractive when I am.
*reminder
The “Your Mama” joke contest is still going. All jokes must be in by August 1. Mom will decide the winner then.
Oh No He Didn’t…
July 29, 2007
Joel often tells me he loves the fact that I make him laugh. I don’t know if it’s propaganda or not but I choose to believe it. And I love that picture of you being a southern belle.
Well, I have to agree that the picture of you with the glasses isn’t entirely “hot” the ones that were taken recently are pretty good.
I wanted to give another example of how women can be hot, while being funny:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1126
/951338922_d1eec63a2b.jpg
Check it out!
Ok, so my link won’t work! Darn it!
I will be back with my proof another way as well!
First I asked Matthew if he found women funny … “I find women attractive” Then I asked if women can be funny and attractive … “I find women attractive” Interpret as you will. =P
A woman’s beauty is neither in her appearance nor her humor for unfortunately these are two ways in which a woman (or man) masks a beauty that is too deep for words. A truly attractive woman is sure, honest, considerate and loves herself. If that confidence is seen in humor with consideration and love then that is attractive.
It is not trying but being that is attractive.
Yoda
Just a reminder:
The question is, “Are women funny?”
Women are no doubt funny. The better question is are we laughing with them or at them? But the world will never know the answer to that question because at the secret men’s club meetings we have a vow never to reveal the answer.
Tell Eric it could be worse. You could look like this.
As far as attractiveness I like a woman that is both funny and strong.
It is also nice to find a woman that is a little exotic and different in addition to having a sense of humor.
But to answer your original question, women are certainly funny, just in ways that men have a difficult time understanding.
P.S. Susan’s picture is here.
Ok, this is eric and anyone who sees this is offically seeing the first time i’ve really looked at my wife’s blog. I feel i need to set some things straight. I did not say women aren’t funny. i said that most women aren’t funny and that it is not weather a woman is funny that determines if a man is attracted to them. I’ve never heard a man say “ya, i know she doesn’t look that great but you should see her sense of humor” i know i’ll be argued with on this too but i feel i have a responsibility to speak the truth, and hey, you can’t argue with the truth.
Sometimes, a wise man knows when to just keep his mouth shut…for the sake of family harmony.