This blog item is inappropriate on at least two levels: One, it doesn't have anything to do with speechwriting or rhetoric. Two, it comes on a Monday, a day when it's important to be on point.
But this question just won't wait. Of my predominantly female audience of speechwriters and corporate communication professionals, I must ask today:
Why do women act like girls when they are together?
(The same question could be asked of men, I know, but that's not the topic at the moment.)
Late last week my wife got an invitation to a party, from our new neighbor Nancy:
Pardon the informal lack of pen and ink,
But I wanted to send this a quick as a blink . . .The move in December pushed me to the brink,
But since then all has gone smoothly, nary a kink
So, please come over and see what you think
At a chicks only celebration for a nosh and a drink,Saturday, June 25th, 2:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m.
Oh! and please,
Come looking "Pretty in Pink!"
Lest you dismiss this as the shallowness of a recently graduated sorority sister, let me inform you that this woman is 45 years old, highly educated mid-level executive at a health care institution. She is normally very sober and serious, and one of the most conscientious members of our condo association.
I think it's fair to assume she chooses friends from in or around her own station in life. Here are some of their responses to the "pretty in pink" invite:
What a cute invite. Love the wording and will be there! I'll be there! I'll round up something pink by then!
Wow! A pink shopping oportunity! I'll be there with pink bells on! I'm tickled pink that you invited me.
I would not think of missing a chance to wear pink.
I'll be there. And I have a very pink outfit to wear!
Heidi in pink is a rare occasion indeed, But come to the party I shall and with glee!
How did my own educated professional wife respond to the invitation? She shouted, "Holy crap! Honey, check out this crazy-ass invitation from Nancy!"
Highly educated professional women, if I promise to someday try to answer why highly educated professional men act like boys when they are together, please answer my question: Why do women act like girls?
Comments (4)
O_o I really can't fathom a guess. Your wife's reaction sounds like it was exactly what mine would have been. Followed, of course, by racous laughter, none-too-quiet mocking, a non-rhyming reply, and an appearance in as little pink as possible (or possibly in fucshia, just to be a pain). I've never reacted well to that kind of froth and nonsense.
Then again, I generally hang out "with the guys," and have since high school (back in the pre-Cambrian era). So I'm probably not well-equipped to answer the question.
I think what's more interesting, though, is what you describe as a seemingly jarring discontinuity between her professional mein and her private one. It had to come from somewhere, so the effusive schoolgirl has presumably been there all along. Is she viciously suppressed during daily life as a survival mechanism, and has been allowed a rare moment of freedom? Is she the usual resident of the body, with the sober, serious executive a 9-5 professional pod person? Does Miss Pink appear for all social functions, or only those that are orchestrated to ...
... Ive run out of gas. I still can't fathom *why* ... which is, again, probably because I'd sooner spend an afternoon with friends gaming or mocking movies.
Posted by DeAnna | June 13, 2005 12:20 PM
Posted on June 13, 2005 12:20
"Gaming?" You graduated high school in the pre-Cambrian (I graduated the same year), and you call playing video games "gaming"?
You, Sister, are keeping up with the lingo!
Posted by David Murray | June 14, 2005 9:30 AM
Posted on June 14, 2005 09:30
:X Actually, when I said "gaming," I meant PnP (paper and pencil) games, e.g. AD&D. Because having company implies being social, and video games aren't really company fare. (Also note the pre-Cambrian reference. <g>) But since most of my online gaming friends are somewhat younger (distressingly so, from time to time), they keep me up on the lingo.
Also, I can spell raucous. Really I can. Just not before coffee.
But you never answered the $64,000 question: Is your wife going to wear pink?
Posted by DeAnna | June 14, 2005 10:06 AM
Posted on June 14, 2005 10:06
Cristie is a teacher, and I think she has a professional development exam that afternoon.
That's her story, anyway.
Posted by David Murray | June 14, 2005 10:12 AM
Posted on June 14, 2005 10:12