[Finny]

The other day I went to the groundbreaking for what will probably be the largest Lexus dealership in the U.S. The two partners in the dealership are very successful self-made men, and in their speeches, both mentioned their wives in humorous slightly self-deprecating anecdotes, in which the helpful wisdom of their wives was implied. I have a hard time imagining a female executive mentioning her husband in the same way in such a speech.

Also at this function were many dealership and municipal dignitaries, and one of the women looked like somebody's-future-ex-wife if I ever saw one! She looked in her early 40s, attractive, over-dressed, cheap and inappropriate spike-heeled shoes (we women notice things like that, I'm afraid! Meow!), and there was something of desperation about her. Out of several dozen beautifully dressed handsome men at this function, they seemed somewhat repelled by her. It was interesting, and possibly all imagined on my part!

[Mr. Jeeves]

It was interesting, and possibly all imagined on my part!

Oh no, you didn't imagine it. As described, such a creature is distilled man-repellent. ;)

Now if she were early twenties and dressed like that (sans the desperation), the men would have been much more interested...

[HitmanLV]

The two partners in the dealership are very successful self-made men, and in their speeches, both mentioned their wives in humorous slightly self-deprecating anecdotes, in which the helpful wisdom of their wives was implied. I have a hard time imagining a female executive mentioning her husband in the same way in such a speech.

This is VERY true and very insightful. There is a systemic bias that downplays the significance of men in the lives of sucessful women. No wonder men lose interest.