[Arthur McGowan]

I think that the desperate need to pay a prostitute, not just for sex, but "for company"--i.e., for companionship, someone to talk to about the stress, etc.--is a sign of just how shallow so many male/male friendships are. These guys go through war together, but they are so incapable of supporting one another that they need to find a prostitute to relieve "stress."

[StriperSniper]

These guys go through war together, but they are so incapable of supporting one another

Hey! They are in the same boat.

Bad one liner aside, would you go to a crazy shrink?

[Fred Mertz]

You're correct, it's not really "stress" Arthur, we called it a bad case of white-out.

[Joe Driscoll]

is a sign of just how shallow so many male/male friendships are. These guys go through war together, but they are so incapable of supporting one another that they need to find a prostitute to relieve "stress."

They are both necessary and totally different support systems.

[Ohioan]

I think that what is "shallow" are your comments. Most men in the service do not seek recreational or therapeutic sex because they have some sort of personality deficit, as your comments seem to imply, but as a needed outlet. It is not a substitute for deeper commitment, but rather a way to get relief without making commitment to the wrong person out of a desperate need.

Would you suggest the sailor going ashore marry the first love starved girl he meets, or do what military men have done for centuries? Even the sanctimonious Roundhead Army under Cromwell had camp followers.

[Sorry to any gals, dropping by, for having to go public with what is usually male talk. But I thought someone should put in a good word for the fleet.]

William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site

[Britton J Wingfield]

These guys go through war together, but they are so incapable of supporting one another that they need to find a prostitute to relieve "stress."

I forged deep relationships with the men I served with, but I sure as hell don't want to f*** or cuddle with them. Apples and oranges, man.

[#3Fan]

I think that the desperate need to pay a prostitute, not just for sex, but "for company"--i.e., for companionship, someone to talk to about the stress, etc.--is a sign of just how shallow so many male/male friendships are. These guys go through war together, but they are so incapable of supporting one another that they need to find a prostitute to relieve "stress."

Um, there's a difference between normal male to male companionship and normal male to female companionship. Your father must have missed explaining this to you. :^)

[PJ-Comix]

These guys go through war together, but they are so incapable of supporting one another that they need to find a prostitute to relieve "stress."

There is a name for sailors who support each other in such a way as to relieve this type of stress---"homos."

[Don Myers]

"I think that the desperate need to pay a prostitute, not just for sex, but "for company"--i.e., for companionship, someone to talk to about the stress, etc.--is a sign of just how shallow so many male/male friendships are. "

Do you really think the sailors were looking for a shrink when they went to the prostitutes?