Conference quark::mennotes-v1

473.0. "The many faces of Eve/Adam" by MCIS2::WALTON () Tue Jul 10 1990 12:03

    The last topic on nails got me to thinking last night.  I was thinking
    about men and women, masculinity and femininity, and all kinds of other
    stuff.  
    
    I cam to the conclusion that women express their femininity in many
    different ways.  Men express their masculinity in many diffent ways. 
    Not all the ways are right for all the folks.  But just because *my*
    (generic me) way doesn't appeal to you (generic you), or is driven by
    cultural/media/environmental reasons doesn't make it any less an
    expression of my feminity/masculinity.
    
    Personally, I like "groomed" nails on women.  I do not dislike short,
    unpolished "naked" nails, I just appreciate female hands that are
    groomed.  I don't particularly like 2 inch long squared off talons that
    are a quarter inch thick, but that doesn't mean that they are not right
    for the women who choose to wear them.  I also don't like beards, but
    it doesn't mean that they aren't right for some people.  Lots of guys
    adopted the "Don Johnson" stubble a few years back, and on some men it
    was incredible sexy.  When my husband doesn't shave, he looks like a
    bum.  But he grows the nicest mustache I have ever kissed!  ;-)
    
    These are the reasons that I wear some makeup every day, do my nails
    with acryllics, dye my hair, and all sorts of other little things. 
    They make up the myraid of my femininity.
    
    These are the reasons why Ken shaves his face every day, drives an old
    Jeep, and takes my son fishing every Saturday morning.  These make up
    the myriad of his masculinity.
    
    For he and I, we wouldn't have it any other way.

    I feel like I should add a bit, as the first reply, to forestall any
    firestorms.  
    
    This past weekend, I saw a woman who was driving a Jeep just like
    Ken's. She was in jeans, boots, big white shirt tucked in, large
    western style belt, and a hat.  She was incredible sexy driving down
    the road, and I believe that she knew it.
    
    My ex-boss (another company) used to wear suits every day.  He had his
    nails done (no polish, just manicure and buff).  He had the most
    gorgeous shoes you could buy.  And he was incredibly sexy
    (unfortunately he knew it all to well).
    
    So as I said, the expressions of femininity and masculinity are very
    individual.  And it is not the actions themselves which define the
    gender, it is the person underneath.