Living

Right back at you, Toots!

There are some familiar refrains from men on their particular peeves about their female counterparts.

By Robert N. Jenkins
Published May 29, 2007

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I don't know, guys: Maybe all that psychological theory about women being more nurturing and men being more aggressive is just New Age baloney.

We gave you fellows a couple of months to vent after we published dozens of complaints from women about older men. But you reacted like a bunch of kids on the playground. In fact, for this compilation of your typical replies, we could have written a headline that just said, "Oh yeah?"

That's because a large number of your letters sounded like "Same to you!" There was neither as much wit nor as much venom as the women had hurled.

So here is a representative sample of what we received. And frankly, we here at Life Times feel better, believing that so many of you men are in touch with your feminine side.

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It's skin deep

First women are concerned about their appearance: cosmetics and diets . . .

Giving birth and mothering, while not an easy job, is an entrance to the next phase of being concerned about their appearance: cosmetics and diets.

Later comes the ultimate: "bad hair" days when rinses, dyes and tints accompany the perms, so "they won't look their age."

Stanley Kaden, 79 (I know whereof I speak), Brooksville

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When advanced years come calling, women have important physical advantages over men. As excess pounds interrupt a mature lady's being attractive, fashions are waiting to cover nature's unkindness. Men have little or none.

Most men face their final years with unwelcome heads of skin. Women can head to a "hair house" and remake their image . . . length, color, style!

Why do so many older women ignore the blessings of camouflaging fashions, and cling to ill-kept hairdos that erode their femininity? Come on, ladies, spruce up in your latter years!

Robert W. Swanson, 79, Largo

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Sinking to our level

American women are so determined to equalize with men they borrow male traits that were never meant to be used by them! A woman is far more advanced than a man without ever reading or studying any books.

God made them with a perfectly balanced group of tools such as emotions, multitasking abilities and wisdom, to be used in their roles as mother and wife. I believe a woman would have to come down to be equal with a man. . . .

My dear wife is a very lovely 65-year-old RN who works at the VA hospital in Tampa.

Curtis Morelock, 79, Lakeland

 

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I find the same (objectionable) traits in women as they did in men, but I can put those aside and give every eligible woman a chance on having a great relationship or friendship.

At 60 and older, we ALL have baggage and need to deal with it.

David Parsons, 68, Largo

 

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People of my age, because they went through the Depression and World War II, have been called the "greatest generation." Most of the men back then did not regard women as their equal: They considered women their superior. We tipped our hats to women, opened doors for them, gave up our seats to them. . . .

Women who are 10 to 20 years younger than I fought for - and who became equal to men - today are just as bad and just as good as most men.

Al Maduri, 86, New Port Richey

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There are differences

Why is it that every flat surface in the house has to be completely covered with pictures, pottery, flowers and candles?

Yes, candles. . . . Why are there little fires all over the house?

I can be making a peanut butter sandwich and get called away. When I get back the peanut butter is in the pantry, the bread is gone and the knife is in the dishwasher. What's wrong with leaving things out for a while?

Did you ever notice women only have "ingredients"? There's never anything in the refrigerator that you can grab and put in your mouth.

George Goodenough, 62, Largo

 

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I am a retired Air Force officer, 158 IQ, divorced. . . . I have found, in the main, that women do not permit/accept from men those gestures, touches of care and understanding that they willingly grant and give their own gender. "He just wants sex!"

Women seem preoccupied with fashion and seem to need a wardrobe permitting three or four changes per day. . . .

When I am with a woman, I am interested in her. I want to know her thoughts, dreams, hopes, what makes her laugh or cry, her opinions on this world.

What I get is a litany of the trials and tribulations of children, grand- and great-grandchildren, friends and relatives . . .

Arnold Larson, 72, Sun City Center

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Will you be my friend?

Please, ladies, judge us as individuals.

At 66, I crave the company of a single, attractive, intelligent woman in my life. I loathe TV and don't care much about professional sports. I consider myself neat as a pin, clean as a hound's tooth. My fashion accessories include French-cuffed shirts and a tuxedo.

Is sex important? Yes, just after breathing. . . . Don't blame us guys; it's the survival of the species instinct.

Joe King, 66, New Port Richey

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I am 88, active physically and mentally. I play tennis weekly with men in their 50s to 80s and am also active in arts and crafts.

I have been trying to start a serious relationship but . . . ladies my age are, for the most part, set in their ways, not very active. They play bridge, watch TV, etc.

Sex is important, but first in line is building a mutual feeling of togetherness, enjoying each other's company and activities.

Art Davis, 88, Largo

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I have read a study that said 60 percent of women would rather have a brownie than have sex. Why, then, do women spend hours with hairdos, makeup and shopping to look attractive and often sexy, only to say no! . . .

Yes, males have a higher sex drive (but) look at the animal world: Males are almost always chasing and females running!

Come on, ladies, let's love, embrace and let the brownies go stale.

Alex Mackenzie, 67, Palm Harbor

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I don't need another "female friend" telling me how to live, where to eat, and how to spend my money, all the while acting like me asking for a kiss is going to get her a social disease . . .

I have never enjoyed myself more than when I was in the company of a Great Woman. (But) finding an intelligent, fun, reasonably attractive lady who is not jaded by her past . . . is like finding a good parking space: All the good ones are taken.

Michael Dewitt Allen, 65, St. Petersburg

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One of these days, Alice

The bulk of the (March) article was how men are messed up and we cannot cater to the whims of the female population. . . .

It seems like our only function is to be walking bank accounts and emotional crutches. Gee, the very idea that men might desire sex is way off base. . . .

Psychologist Albert Ellis described (how) the American woman seems to be driving the male off the deep end with her dependency syndrome and constant whining. Then they complain that they can't find male companionship. No wonder.

Leonard Martino, 57, Tampa

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Many older women possess a "know-what's-best" attitude as if men have never given it a thought. They make statements such as "You don't need that Escalade; it uses too much gas"; "You don't need that boat; you only fish once or twice a week"; "Let's not have sex; you may have a cardiac arrest, " etc.

We're not little boys, and we've earned the right and financial means to make choices. Allow us the opportunity to take joy in our decisionmaking.

Joe Ballard, 64, Palm Harbor

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I consider male and female faults about equal, including smells. . . . Witness the billions spent on perfume and deodorant.

Complaint: When young, I paid for all dating, etc. Now many women still expect that. People of equal circumstance should share equally, dating, committed, or living together. . . .

She shares the fun; she should share the cost.

Allan Benson, 73, Lecanto

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Many ladies (also) suffer bowel and bladder control problems. . . . Some have offered me their Beano, for which I have NO need.

A great percentage are sloppily overweight. The oft-mentioned "body odor" and "musty old man smell" appears in ladies, too, even in younger ladies. . . .

As for my habits, behavior and activities: not perfect, but pretty damn good.

Brett Johnson, 76, Hernando

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Nothing wrong at all

Many older women mistakenly concentrate on "older" and ignore that they are still women, the most delightful creatures God or Darwin ever produced. The word awesome was invented for an older woman equipped with a bright scarf, some lipstick, a friendly and unafraid gaze, a confident way of walking, a memory adorned with both triumphs and screw-ups, and an attitude of "What do we have here, another wide-open, unused day? Hot damn!"

My awesome lady is 72. I call her Liz. I call myself lucky.

Bob Driver, 76, Gulfport

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I have to agree with the women.

Men both young and old do not know about hygiene, dressing, etc. Just one look at any restaurant or shopping plaza will tell the whole story. There is no pride in one's appearance. There are no Cary Grants.

Vail Hayes, 53, Spring Hill

About the cartoons

A name familiar to longtime readers of this paper, and of the defunct Evening Independent, appears with today's cover story.

More than a few of you are likely to get a jolt of deja vu as you view the cartoons by Don Addis. That's because Don was a regular contributor with these "Sex Symbols" in Playboy for about 20 years, starting just after he graduated from the University of Florida in 1962.

These are new cartoons, created just for our article.

 

[Last modified May 28, 2007, 14:01:23]