Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Joanne--Are Women ruled by their emotions?--Dave Barry

I’m sharing another great blog by Dave Barry, because this month he comments on a woman’s emotions. Are we ruled by our emotions? Or--What does a man know? 

Here goes:

“Every man knows he needs a bigger TV. But you-know-who is standing in his way. The same “Negative Nelly” who always tried to hold him back when he has a visionary household idea, such as washing underwear in the dishwasher or installing a urinal in the bedroom

His wife.

The instant he tells her he needs a new TV, she’s going to start coming up with nitpicky legalistic arguments like: ‘But our current TV works fine!’ Or: ‘But we bought a new TV yesterday!’ Or: ‘But we’re broke and we live in a homeless shelter!’

Women! Always ruled by their emotions.”



Me again. Hah! Do you agree?

23 comments:

Terry Spear said...

All I have to say is his wife needs to get a more responsibly-inclined husband. No emotion involved!

Men and women both can get emotional. Weepy, angry, loving, excited, joyful. Some men more than others. Some women more than others. We're all different! What will trigger an emotion for anyone will be different than what will trigger an emotion for someone else. It's based on our prior history, beliefs, the way we were raised.

A student of mine once said she found dissolving into tears allowed her to get her way. So her heroine always dissolved into tears to get her way. And since I write about strong women who did not dissolve into tears at the drop of a hat, I couldn't understand the thinking. But, her thinking was based on her own personal history.

So some emotions are definitely learned. If we get excited about something and are knocked down for it, will we continue to be excited? If we cry and are punished for it, will we continue to vent that emotion?

My father rarely cried, but when he couldn't find a job after being laid off at the Cape in Florida, he broke down. I felt so bad for him. He didn't want anyone to see him like that. He was taught that men don't cry. But guess what? He was only human.

Emotions are human. For both men and women. Not to feel any emotion is being un-human. :)

Dawn Marie Hamilron said...

In this scenario, it seems to me, the wife is being logical and the husband emotional. I agree with Terry, both men and woman are emotional, just depends on the circumstances.

Beth Trissel said...

I love Dave Barry. Thanks for the day brightener. There's a book called "Emotions, Can You Trust Them?" A thoughtful take on all of this. Either men or women can be overly emotional and if ruled accordingly, will make bad choices.

Judith Keim said...

Dave Barry is so outrageously funny. Both men and women have emotions which are shown in very different ways. In this scenario, the woman is being practical. Frankly, I'd like to see a woman at the helm of the government's finances...a plain, honest housewife who could handle the task of taking control of the budget!LOL!

Barbara Monajem said...

Thanks for the laugh. EVERYBODY is ruled by their emotions. (I'm taking a course on plotting by motivation right now, LOL.)

Toni V.S. said...

To get cynical on a subject meant to be funny (and it is--Mr. Barry is being ironic, I hope), if women are so emotional, how can they plot for weeks, months, years, to get back at someone? That's emotion in slow motion!

Mary Marvella said...

Loved it, Joanne!

Writers who critique often expect a character to react the way they would. Break the mold or cliche and some folks are confused. Emotions include anger and fear, as well as other elements. Sometimes we don't show how we feel!

Autumn Jordon said...

LOL. If I was this guy's wife I'd show an emotion or two. Anger and rage come to mind. Maybe follow up with a bit of action, like whimp slapping.

Jill James said...

Thanks for my laugh for the day. Reminds me of my husband at the Sears tool section. He has to stop every time. Although he has two giant tool chests and lots of misc. tools. LOL

Josie said...

Terry,
Thanks for sharing such a beautiful post. My Dad was the same way as yours. I don't think I ever saw him cry.

Josie said...

Dawn,
You brought up a good point. Of course, Dave Barry writes fun blogs, but in this case his wife was the logical one.

Josie said...

Beth,
I've never heard of the Emotions book you mentioned, but it seems a good one to add to my writing library. Thanks!

Josie said...

Judy,
Here,here! Women would be wonderfully wise rulers. Sometimes I feel sorry for Dave's wife. He uses her reactions as material for his writing a lot.

Josie said...

Barbara,
Your course sounds fascinating. Please let us know who's teaching it. Is the course offered online?

Josie said...

Toni,
Yes, I believe that Dave was being ironic in his post. Thanks for your interesting "take" on this subject.

Josie said...

Mary M.,
Yes, some people are able to hide their emotions. I've been watching the old Star Trek series. What made Mr. Spock so appealing? His inability to show emotion---even though he did on occasion. Made for a great show.

Josie said...

Autumn,
Yes, Dave's wife is the brunt of much of his material. I think most comedians play off their personal situations. Kind of hits home with everyone.

Josie said...

Jill,
Too funny about your DH. My husband has a thing for electronics and could spend hours in Radio Shack.

Mona Risk said...

This so good and so realistic. I could hear my husband saying: why throw money on a new dress, you have enough of them. And a moment later: I think I'm going to buy a new stereo. And me going: what for!!!

Josie said...

Mona,
LOL! You are so right. My husband is the same way.

L.A. Lopez said...

Absolutely, that's why men don't let us run wars. We'd get them over with really quick, but their just so awful and draining...

Josie said...

L.A.,
True. Women are very efficient and practical, IMHO>

Clarissa Southwick said...

I'm sure my sons all feel the same way :)