Posted on 03/28/2008 3:56:43 PM PDT by WFTR
The last thread I hosted was called "The Bucket List" and was based loosely on a movie that I'd never seen. I'm repeating the idea of threads about movies I've never seen again this week. In my defense, this one wasn't my idea. Someone else suggested a discussion of platonic friendships between men and women and the idea from the "Harry met Sally" movie that those friendships can't exist. I'm going to add an idea from a news story this week in part because the story seemed amusing and in part because I wonder whether there is a connection.
From what I've heard, the idea behind the movie When Harry Met Sally is that men, or at least Bill Crystal's character, believe that they can never have a truly platonic relationship with a woman because they'll eventually want to have sex with that woman. I don't remember whether this idea applies only to situations where the man feels a strong physical attraction to a woman or whether any man will eventually want to have sex with any woman. Apparently, "Harry" claims that this desire will eventually doom the friendship because the man won't be able to endure the stress of the unfulfilled desire.
The second part of the topic is a short article that was published this week claiming that the happiest marriages are those where the woman is more physically attractive than the man. The whole article is only a few sentences and can be found at http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,340869,00.html. Important points in the article include the fact that only 82 couples were included in the study and that they had been married only six months. The study that led to the article requires a subscription to read, so I don't know whether the details of the study strengthen the idea.
Combining these topics leads to several points of discussion.
First, do you agree with the idea that men and women cannot form platonic friendships? Are those friendships destined to be disrupted by sexual desire on one side or the other? If so, does that desire generally come from the man? If those friendships are possible, what are the factors that lead to those friendships and what are the factors that make them impossible? Is appearance a big part of the equation?
Secondly, do you agree with the idea that marriages will generally be better if the woman is more attractive than the man? Obviously, if you're a guy, you're going to look at any couple and find the woman more attractive, but in a more objective sense, will the relationship be stronger if the woman is more attractive? If you're a gal, you're likely to see things just the opposite, but the same question applies.
I have a longtime (since preschool) female friend who we’ve agreed to marry if we’re single once we’re too old for sex. It would just be too wierd otherwise.
Bonus Questions
1. Have you been following the NCAA basketball tournament? How are your teams doing?
2. What are you doing with your extra hour of daylight in the evenings?
3. What will you do with your tax rebate check?
So you have a perfect platonic friendship but no sexual desire on either side? If you reached that point of marrying, what would be the advantage in being married?
I have no choice: the college I work for is in the playoffs - all I get is phone call after phone call from sports junkies and school-fools...
2. What are you doing with your extra hour of daylight in the evenings?
Working...
3. What will you do with your tax rebate check?
We're headed for Londod for a week.
And that’s SUPPOSED to read “London”...
I need a date...
I’ve always had lots of platonic male friends. The only thing is, when one or the other gets married, you have to be friends with the spouse too.
There’s the saying “Men grow to love women that they are attracted to, while women grow to become attracted to the men they love.”
Damn it, you beat me to posting the thread!!
Do you mean my normal tax return (which I got back in February) or the economic stimulus check--which I've actually considering donating the full amount to either the NRA or the Gun Owners of America. :)
I can think of plenty of advantages. Just for the record, advantages to me do not necessarily mean they are advantages, logical or desirable to others. ;~)
I know that feeling.
Do you believe that saying?
You can have next week!
1. Have you been following the NCAA basketball tournament? How are your teams doing?
Don’t care for b-ball
2. What are you doing with your extra hour of daylight in the evenings?
Gardening
3. What will you do with your tax rebate check?
Pay bills.
I was thinking primarily of the stimulus check, but either would work. The donation idea is interesting.
Do you want to describe some of these advantages?
1. - Yes. Rather unfortunately, my team was not in the NCAA tournament.
2. - Nothing special. I wake up and go to bed at the same times regardless. I’m thinking that as the weather gets nicer, some games of ultimate frisbee, capture the flag, etc., may be in order.
3. - Fortunately, I don’t have to pay income tax as of yet. If I did, it would go towards tuition or an xbox 360.
Gardening is good. I have a few flowers, but I’m not taking good care of them.
“Gardening is good. I have a few flowers, but I’m not taking good care of them.”
Flowers are ok but I like to eat what I grow so we’re talking carrots, taters, onions and zuccini
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