From the Guys' Side: What Women Should Have and Know by Age 30
The male viewpoint nobody asked for
An article from Glamour that first appeared in 1997 is making the rounds on the web this week. 30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She’s 30 became a chain letter fifteen years ago, and reemerges now as a full-blown hardcover. The book edition augments the original list, which was penned by Pamela Redmond Satran, with essays by the likes of Maya Angelou, Katie Couric, and Taylor Swift.
Conspicuously missing, though, is any perspective from the male side — a problem we seek to remedy here. Because men are helpful like that.
By 30 you should have…
A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra.
If you would please, please use them all at the same time on at least one occasion, that would be awesome.
Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.
Do you know what you absolutely deserve? Season tickets, preferably in a sky box. Seriously, you deserve it!
One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
Why do you like to cry again? If you want, we can be the friend who makes you laugh and then we can find the person who makes you cry and punch them in the face.
Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
Just for the record, we really can’t tell if the fashions you wear are ten years behind the times, whether the shoes are right, or if the colors match.
One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.
Totally can see why you’d want to come back. Don’t quite get where you’re going with the second part there.
By 30, you should know…
How to fall in love without losing yourself.
What?
How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.
News Alert: There are two kinds of kisses. The kind that holds great promise for the very near future, and the kind that comes from an elderly aunt. If it can’t be the former, have a little mercy and just make it the latter.
Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.
Of course but c’mon, it wasn’t entirely MY fault, right? I mean, it wasn’t not your fault. Listen, just apologize.
That you can’t change the length of your legs, the width of your hips, or the nature of your parents.
Or us.
Photo: Image Source/Image Source/Getty Images
Really? By 30 you should have
a man who has a screwdriver and a cordless drill and knows how to use them. Preferably while I'm shopping for the black lace bra.
Something expensive I bought for myself? 2012 Harley Davidson. If you keep the chrome shiny, I'll take you a ride.
If you can't tell the difference in a kiss' promise, you haven't kissed enough, go practice.
It's never my fault, and if it is, I'll convince you it isn't.
Legs and hips just fine, really, parents good, you, well....not so much based on this article.
Oh, we'd like you to have a job and fairly mature friends who's wives/girlfriends we like. Or can at least stand.
And put the seat back down will you?
Are you kidding? I am sorry to say that most boys these days don't even know how to use a cordless screwdriver.
I have noticed that amongst the sea of mama's boys in this country. there are more girls who have the spirit of independence and the drive to learn to take care of themselves than boys.
Sorry guys, The old men were saying this when I was a kid too. Because it was true. Every generation since WW2 has progressively demasculated our boys and empowered women.
I am not double standard however, I hold both to the same. Sadly, there are not enough jobs and oportunities to go around and it leaves many young men dependent on girls, or mother replacements. It also made many girls step up to the plate and do whatever it takes to survive, who really wish they could just stay at home and manage their families.
Long gone are the days that one income could afford to do that.
I'm the only woman I know who has a set of screwdrivers and knows how to use them. I'm also the only woman I know who can hammer a nail, change a flat, check the oil, put air in tires, do my own heavy lifting, handle my own money and pay my bills on time... and my women friends think I'm strange because I just do these things on my own without looking for someone to rescue me. I don't stand there whimpering and crying, I just do it, whatever needs to be done.
I get yelled at for being independent and capable. They say, "That's what men are for!" What if all the men suddenly disappeared from the planet tomorrow? What would they do? They would never survive on their own.
I'm confused and it does not take much to make me confused. Where is the male perspective in this article or in this video? This has nothing to do with relationships. It is just women supporting each other to be comfortable in their unique circumstances when they turn 30. It may be petty, but I get tired of misleading headlines and links.
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