Earlier today I was having a discussion with a friend about stereotypes and one of my favorites came up, so I thought I would share it with you to consider. There are four scenarios to examine and comment on. Asssume for each that you are out in public and see a couple walking along. It is clear they are friends or co workers. Not especially close but good friends.
In scenario one the couple is two women and as they walk along a good looking woman walks past. One turns to the other and comments on the fact that the woman was quite good looking. Nothing more is said. In scenario two the situation is the same but it is a man and a woman and the woman comments to her male friend on the good looking woman.
In all likelihood you would not think much of the situation. We recognize that a person can observe that another person is good looking without any particular sexual or sensual aspect to it. We just know what pretty or attractive is.
But, change the scenario to two men, or a man and a woman who see a good looking man walk by. If the male in either situation comments on the fact that the man is good looking many people would find it to be odd and would question whether or not the male is gay.
I’ve run this scenario by a number of people and many agree that this is what would happen even though there does not seem to be any logical reason for it. Perhaps it is because the male is supposed to be the aggressor in romantic relationships so there is an assumption there. Perhaps it is just because men are supposed to be men and thus cannot have any non sexual feelings.
I’d be curious to know what people think both in terms of how they would react and how they think others would react.