A family meal. Men, women, kids. Smiles, chat.
Adult male turns to adult woman and asks for the salt cellar. (No, it’s not Mr Imp, before you start to wonder. He doesn’t have a salt cellar. And we’re not adults). Adult woman passes the salt. And when he’s used it, he holds it out for her, for her to take back and put down, rather than putting it back down on the table himself.
Now stop, replay that in your mind. Watch that transaction and think about it. Sound familiar? If you’re a woman, bet you’ve just smiled. Male? Less likely. Sorry, but it’s true. The first time I saw this happen, I just looked at the hovering hand, the salt cellar dangling over the tablecloth. I looked up the arm, to the man – my supposed beau – and he wasn’t even looking at me. I half expected to hear the words, “Here, Mummy,” dribble from his mouth.
Since then, I’ve watched lots of adult men do this (or an equivalent, “unconscious” action) to the women they’re partnered up with. They don’t do it to friends, male (can you imagine?!) or female: only established Other Halves. What do I think it means? You may well differ in your interpretation, but I think it suggests several things:
- He was a typical boy and regularly pandered to
- As a result of being given such an emotional foundation, he expects people who love him always to “do things for me”; it equates to love and is only what he deserves
- And he was at the stage in this relationship where he expected his partner to play the role his mother played, viz:
- he doesn’t need to do things for himself that he can’t be bothered to (like put the salt back on the table, lower the loo seat, or offer to help her…)
- he expects his needs to be anticipated without needing to give thanks
- she doesn’t need to be thanked or spoken to, because she’s just there.
Yes, it happens even today. Yes, even for men born in the ’80s. Perhaps if I were a lesbian or boy imp, I’d say the same thing about women. And there’s no doubt that women do or say things which men see as unfathomable or mad. (I don’t really think that. I’m just being nice).
But lots of guys do this one (not all, by any means; I mean, really – some of my best friends are men!), and they say they don’t mean to. And if their own fathers behave/d like this, you can see why they find it acceptable, if they give it any thought.
So what is it about – this phenomenon where an adult male accepts his partner to the point where she becomes the equivalent of the infantile “mother-as-ego-extension”? (I say “she” because I’ve not heard of this being an issue in gay relationships, which ain’t to say it don’t happen, of course). Why don’t these men realise what they are doing, understand how well they have been treated in the past and become conscious that kindliness is not a right, but an act of love which needs to be acknowledged and reciprocated?
If you wouldn’t treat your best mate that way, why is it alright to do it to your partner? Not to say thanks for random acts of kindness? Not to make eye contact when speaking to one another, or to think it’s alright to be late or always look like a scarecrow unless there’s someone else there?
I like that question and think it is a fair way to look at how you treat people who are special to you. The “best mate” test is a great one, because we can have best mates throughout our lives. Those relationships are often longer-lived than romances, even those romances that were most soul-stirring, most deep. Best mates are often (by men and women) treated with more care than loved ones, and that is so sad, ‘cos the kind-givers eventually give up and bugger off, splinters in their hearts (sob).
So, be conscious, all of us! Say thank you and make eye contact, give a smile to all you come into contact with – particularly the ones you love!
😉
March 30, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Reminds me of the movie “Shirley Valentine”. Before she takes off she has to explain to the hubby (in a note, IIRC) about the washing machine and the stove, and not to mix them up. Granted it came out a lot of years ago, but I’m sure there are plenty of relationships like that even today.
I’m willing to bet you set Supposed Beau straight, or set Supposed Beau free to find someone else who would replace the salt on the table for him.
March 30, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Oh, Digital Dame, you make me laugh out loud! you win your bet! And anyway, too much salt’s bad for you…
😉
March 30, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Mmm, I’m not sure re best mates. Surely a best mate is someone who will look past all this stuff and let you behave as you are (especially the part about not dressing up). The point is, you don’t _have_ to make an effort for them and they won’t mind.
March 31, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Yup, dead right that best mates take you as you are – but you still treat them right, don’t you? If you’re always a bit rubbish with ’em, they probably won’t want you as a best mate for too long – are we agreeing & seeing the same thing from different viewpoints, John? Or I am treating you badly? 😉
March 31, 2009 at 7:56 pm
It’s complicated 😉