I tend to think that most women are much more competitive than they let on and know my share who revel in schadenfreude. And with regard to Chris Rock -- I can hear him in my head - and I think I know these jokes so well because for me they rang true.
The only women I feel competitive with are those who I consider hypercritical -- a little judgmental on my part, but not uncommon for women, I'm afraid -- those who've come up with some killer idea or traveled somewhere I've always wanted to go. The looks, the clothes, the cars, the whatever, doesn't really get to me.
On the plus side, my strongest relationships are with women who share my (tomboy) values and overdeveloped sense of adventure. To me, I've found a partner in crime.
I also like to think of myself as a compassionate person and experience genuine sorrow when I think someone else is going through something that's even mildly unsettling or uncomfortable.
With regard to men, I'm not sure. I know some men who are very jealous and very competitive. Men do seem to embrace each others' 'flaws' better than women. It seems to the quest for perfection among women has driven us to choose one another as a target to bolster our status in the totem. Not sure if I see this as much among men.
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I tend to think that most women are much more competitive than they let on and know my share who revel in schadenfreude. And with regard to Chris Rock -- I can hear him in my head - and I think I know these jokes so well because for me they rang true.
The only women I feel competitive with are those who I consider hypercritical -- a little judgmental on my part, but not uncommon for women, I'm afraid -- those who've come up with some killer idea or traveled somewhere I've always wanted to go. The looks, the clothes, the cars, the whatever, doesn't really get to me.
On the plus side, my strongest relationships are with women who share my (tomboy) values and overdeveloped sense of adventure. To me, I've found a partner in crime.
I also like to think of myself as a compassionate person and experience genuine sorrow when I think someone else is going through something that's even mildly unsettling or uncomfortable.
With regard to men, I'm not sure. I know some men who are very jealous and very competitive. Men do seem to embrace each others' 'flaws' better than women. It seems to the quest for perfection among women has driven us to choose one another as a target to bolster our status in the totem. Not sure if I see this as much among men.
July 5, 2008 - 3:56pmThis Comment
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