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Years later, I'd hear some man, who ought to be smarter, say, "I've seen her in tears because...blah blah blah." If you tried to explain, he'd look at you like you were Jack the Ripper or somebody.

Needless to say, this woman was extremely manipulative and wound up very rich.

Another of her ruses was to do some good deed--donating money or some other deed--and swear everybody involved to secrecy, knowing full well that somebody would leak news of her benevolence. Somebody always did. So she got credit for generosity and humility--neither of which was deserved and both of which were calculated.

She was a real pro.

People have different talents. Hers was manipulation. I don't exactly begrudge her this. But it was amazing how few people could comprehend what was going on.

This movie Body Heat was very good--for many reasons. It showed, very well, how manipulative it is possible to be. Most people do not understand, and many refuse to believe, that anyone could be manipulative--and successfully manipulative--to that extent.

Like denial, there is no limit to how successfully manipulative it is possible to be.

But I digress...

Exactly. I once knew a woman physician who was tough and aggressive as a Mac truck. When cornered, or severely criticized, or caught in a mistake, she consistently burst into tears. It's amazing how many people--mostly men--some of them otherwise quite intelligent--fell for it. Years later, I'd hear some man, who ought to be smarter, say, "I've seen her in tears because...blah blah blah." If you tried to explain, he'd look at you like you were Jack the Ripper or somebody.
Needless to say, this woman was extremely manipulative and wound up very rich.

An interesting phenomena is occurring (or has occurred) in the business world. Back when I was at IBM and the corporate world, where the place was run by sexist old geezers, but transitioning to full affirmative action policies on the backs of younger generations NOT guilty of THEIR transgressions, the women cleaned up with the choice positions and immunity from failure (particularly the pretty ones). Because whether women want to admit it or not, they have two power centers, beauty and competence, whereas men have one. Men better be competent or they just aren't worth crap.

But through the universal application of these policies, it was inevitable that women ended up working for other women, and that kinda strategery doesn't play very well in that scenario. And I have had many a woman tell me that it is absolute HELL to work for a woman, particularly if that underling is prettier than her boss. The more things change...the more they get fouled up.