Last week I was coming back from an outstation trip and being driven home by a guy friend, with his brother and another gal in the same car. As I had just recently moved and they weren't familiar with where my new place was (not that they were really familiar with where my old place was either...), I had to give them directions. At one point we came to a junction, and I said something along the lines of "Ok, you came keep to this (the middle) lane, but it would be better to keep left coz' you have to turn left right after you make this right turn". My guy friend who wasn't driving, and also happens to be particularly blunt person, promptly turned around and asked me if he could ask me a question. And since his question on whether he could ask me a question was rather unexpected but suspicious, I didn't have time to come up with a witty reply other than a wary "Yeeesss?".
"Why is it women always have to give choices when they are giving directions?" he asked. Then he went on to explain that whenever women gave directions, they almost always give choices like "You can turn left or turn right here", which men find really annoying. He said that he would appreciate it if a person giving him directions only gave him ONE route and simple directions, without the driver having to make any decisions. "Turn right here. Turn left there. Keep to this lane. Don't go on any other lane til I say so..." etc, etc. My friend's brother who was driving supported his brother's comments by adding, "Yeah, if you tell me that I can either turn left or right, I'd stay in the middle and bang into the divider!".
I, being a woman, was of course rather intrigued by this line of thought. I mean, to me, if someone tells me I can either turn left or right, I simply make a choice and turn either left or right. I don't get all hung up over having to make a decision while driving! But after some thought, I realized (or should I say, had a revelation?) that this is probably significant evidence of one of the most fundamental differences between males and females. My revelation is... men HATE making choices.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that men are incapable of making choices, or that they tend to make bad choices. When they have to make a choice, by all means, they can do it, and they are just as likely to make bad choices as, well, women (although some people might differ on opinion on that aspect, but that's another debate!). However, I believe, men would prefer never to have to make a choice if possible. And if they have no choice but to make a choice, they will choose the most convenient option available.
Think about it ladies! Why do you think guys don't like shopping? Well, it could be partially because they hate sitting around for half an hour waiting for their wife/ girlfriend / daughter to decide between the pink top and the blue one. Or it could be partially because they hate having to carry around all your shopping bags, including your handbag (which will immediately be termed the 'man-bag' by any friends of the poor man who happens to see him in that predicament). But even with any females out of the picture, men STILL don't like shopping. Because when it comes to shopping, there are TOO MANY choices. Which brand to buy? How does the price of one brand compare to another? What about the quality? Most women would happily scout around to see what are the options available and make a decision from there. But for men, the more options they have, the more it drives them nuts. As long as they find an item that meets their needs, no matter what the price, they can't be bothered to go hunting for other options anymore... they just buy it. And this is why there is a saying that a woman can spend RM10 on an item that she doesn't need why a man can spend RM50 on the same item that he does need.
(Note: The only time this does not apply is when is comes to purchasing electronice devices or gadgets such as mobile phone, computers, tv's, etc. Only for these will men find out everything itty bitty piece of information about the device they want to buy and similar models, and compare all the specs of each model before deciding which one to buy. It is truly anomalous among the decision-making processes of the male species...)
Unfortunately for men, we all know that life is made up of choices, so making decisions is a rather unavoidable task for you guys. But I had a funny thought about what would a man's (almost) ideal world be like if my revelation was true and men could do away with having to make choices completely....
Scenario 1 - At the supermarket:
Sam: Hi, I need to buy some coffee. What do you have here?
Store clerk: We sell only Brand A coffee here, sir. And they come only in 25 kg bags and extra caffeine.
Sam: Extra caffeine. Sounds fun! I need some sugar to go with that too...
Store clerk: Oh, we sell only Brand B sugar here, which comes in boxes of 60 extra large sugar cubes.
Sam: Sugar cubes. Great! Good way to ensure consistency in my morning coffee. Right... and where can I find a new toothbrush here?
Store clerk: Those are on Aisle 2. We sell all large size, medium-soft brushes toothbrushes, with those flexible bendy necks, in fluorescent green. And pictures of Barney the dinosaur on them.
Sam: I love this place! Are you open 24 hours?
Scenario 2: Naming a pet
Mrs. Jones just bought a dog for her teenage son, Mike)
Mrs. Jones: Look at what I got you for your birthday! Isn't he adorable?
Mike: Alright! I've always wanted a dog!
Mrs. Jones: So what are you going to name him?
Mike: Hmm.... err... I'll get back to you on that....
(15 minutes later...)
Mike: I'm gonna name him Rufus Terminatrix!
Mrs. Jones: What?? Where on earth did you come up with a name like that
Mike: I got it online from the Most Awesome Pet Name Generator website! Don't you just love modern technology, mum?
Mrs. Jones: .....
Scenario 3: Getting married
Priest: Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the holy matrimony of Bob and Mary.... (*insert long speech here*)... and finally for the moment we've all been waiting for! Bob, you may now kiss the bride!
Mary: Wait! Wait! Aren't you supposed to ask Bob whether he takes me to be his beloved wedded wife, to love and cherish til' death do us part, or something like that? And ask me the same thing too??
Priest: Hmm...well, Bob has already asked you to marry him before during the proposal, and you agreed to his proposal. So assuming throughout the time of engagement and preparation of this wonderfully elaborate wedding, paid mostly by the groom, that the agreement is still valid, I hence fail to see the need to ask redundant questions. Go along, kissy kiss now!
Mary: But... but...!
Bob: I love this priest! But now as much as I love you! *smooooch*
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