Maybe "Cooties" is just a synonym for "Gross"

The day I looked around and realized I was the only woman in my freshman-level introductory engineering course, I knew I was stepping into a world of men.  It was evident I would be one of the few women in the field (and school in general), but I didn’t really stop to think how that would effect me when it came to my ability to relate with others.  Today I find myself very naturally fitting in with the guys, but completely incapable of creating friendships with women.

Admittedly, it is kind of nice.  Perhaps I’m bias after 5 years of “guy time”, but I’m drawn to the fun-loving and goofy attitudes of men.  I appreciate their tendency to move toward on-the-surface conversation because I am someone who doesn’t like to share much about herself in casual conversation.  And, should I ever feel like sharing, men really aren’t bad listeners.  They tend to base decisions on logic rather than emotion, so their opinions are worthwhile to hear (so long as I don’t mind a jab at my feelings once in awhile).  Not to mention they can open jars and move heavy things — a Godsend for a scrawny lady like myself.

Unfortunately, the good also must come with the bad.  Sometimes A lot of the time, lunch conversation is a discussion over WHICH ACTION MOVIE IS THE BEST ACTION MOVIE EVER?!!? while I sit quietly poking at my food with my fork.  Car talk is also a snooze-fest for me.  I also have a tendency to be over-emotional at times (thanks, lady parts) and while it’s kind of funny watching them figure out how best to approach me in fear of setting me over the edge, it also can make me very angry for a reason I’m not really sure of.

And then there are days like today.  Days when I am shown a piece of paper with a penis faintly drawn on it… or they are openly and gleefully playing fart audio loudly on their computers nearby… or I open my inbox and discover a forward all about anal leakage…

… these are the days I realize I should never forget what I got myself into.  They might try to class it up once in awhile for the lady, but deep down men are still pretty gross.

I don’t think I would have it any other way.