What I learnt this weekend #6

On this 41^st weekend of the year, I’ve been in a very introspective mood.

Perhaps my past week’s ritual of thinking of what I’ve learnt that day puts me in that frame of mind. It is worthwhile to ask yourself the question “What have I learnt today?” If you ask a 5 year old what they learnt for the day, you better be in a comfortable position. But if you ask an adult, you may have to prod and probe a little more to solicit an answer. It is something I ask myself now at least once a day, which is one time more than I used to before the blog.

So even though my blog doesn’t really have a following, maybe that’s not the point.

This weekend I was invited to a gathering to bid a friend farewell. She is about to leave our shores in a bid to find gainful employment in the land of our ancestral rulers. On the one hand I am happy to see her pursue her dreams and will always and without exception support someone who goes after what they truly want in life. On the other hand, I am saddened that T&T will stand to lose another bright young mind. Either way, at least one of the countries stands to benefit greatly from the young lady’s contributions.

The invitation was an open one, and being a friend, I accepted the invitation. Upon my arrival I quickly realised that this was a gathering of the female variety. Of the nine people present, I was the only one with a Y chromosome. Since this was not a rap video, or a wet t-shirt competition, the appeal of being surrounded by females must then, take another form. Now, I am supremely comfortable around groups of women having grown up with three sisters. Having 31 years experience with this has taught me how to properly zone out. On my best days I consider myself an OK conversationalist, but even on these days I cannot contribute to a discussion about the coating one puts on fingernails, or what chemical makes hair less frizzy. I’m not suggesting that males have conversations that delve into the origins of the cosmos, just that I can relate to the topics. I felt like I was watching a documentary of the hidden lives of women and the reporter had a concealed camera during a secret town hall woman meeting. I felt as though I was part of a social experiment, and as such, I was keen to observe.

My encounter with this flock of majestic birds over the weekend has taught me the following:

• I’ve always found women somewhat intimidating individually, but I am able to engage one on one. In a pack however, they have the potential to be all consuming. Reminds me of a line from “The Walking Dead” series on AMC.
• Women speak about work a lot more than men do. This is obviously a generalisation, but a notable personal observation nonetheless. Men seldom speak about work in a male dominated gathering. Men seldom speak about work at work.
• It is much easier for a woman to join a man’s conversation, however crass it might be, than a man to join even the most refined conversation that women may have. I have no idea of how to contribute to a discussion about what type of lip balm is preferred. I’ve always found that spit has quite moisturising properties actually.
• Women, as with all of nature’s splendid creatures, are an absolute marvel to observe in their natural habitat. Natural habitat can be defined as an arena in which ladies are not directly or indirectly involved in the search for a mate.
• Women are not meek and gentle creatures, especially in groups.

It is sometimes worthwhile to pause being an active participant and be a passive observer. We can learn a thing or two.

Have you ever observed something new about the opposite sex in your passive observations or active engagement?

What myths have you busted, confirmed or found plausible?

Guys, next time you inadvertently stumble upon a group of women in natural mode, instead of trying to tackle the weakest of the bunch, pause and try to learn something. Unless they are hot. In that case then go for it son.