DEAR ABBY: The other day, a female co-worker and I were talking about friendship. She informed me that she prefers the company of men. When I asked her why, she said that women were small-minded and boring.
It saddened me to realize she has so little insight into human nature. The characteristics she shuns are individual personality traits, not qualities of gender.
Abby, I am profoundly pleased that during the past 50 years so many things have changed for the better for women. Nevertheless, when I consider how in the past mankind lost the contributions of an untold number of brilliant and wise women, it fills me with regret. Who knows what advances could have been made in this world of ours if half of the population hadn't been left out of the process?
My workmate's perception of her own gender may be understandable, given how few women have had the chance to contribute much outside their own homes -- but I caution her and others who share her opinion to realize how small-minded these perceptions sound to those who have the wisdom to know better. -- TENNESSEE (MALE) FEMINIST
DEAR FEMINIST: From the tone of your co-worker's comments, she must be living in the 1950s. Women who make blanket accusations about their own gender to men in this day and age often do it to be manipulative. Watch out for that one.