Am I A Man?

Stereotypes bug me. If I have to listen to one more joke about women and shopping, my frozen smile might shatter into shards.

No one likes to be pigeon-holed. We are who we are. But there is some truth to stereotypes. That’s how the labels came about in the first place.

So now I’m wondering,

Am I really a man?…

Hmm, let's have a looksie... (Image credit: Microsoft Clip Art)

Hmm, let’s have a looksie… (Image credit: Microsoft Clip Art)

Reasons I Might Be a Man:

  1. I don’t like to shop. Let me repeat, I don’t like to shop.
  2. Action movies are my preference.
  3. I am the technology person in my home. Which is scary.
  4. I possess the remote control in my home. Which is Sheldon-y.
  5. I don’t like to talk about my emotions.
  6. Driving long distance entertains me.
  7. I prefer beer to wine.
  8. I kill bugs.
  9. Diamonds are not my best friend.
  10. I read thrillers.
  11. I don’t read romance, especially if Nicholas Sparks is involved.
  12. I don’t go to the bathroom in groups.
  13. Wearing the same clothes two days in a row suits me fine.
  14. I avoid pink and glitter, and I never ♥ anything.
  15. Horses have no emotional pull over me. None. Nada. Neigh.
  16. I don’t love footwear. Ugly man shoes, boots, and Jesus sandals rotate seasonally.
Eat your heart out...

Eat your heart out…

Reasons I Might Be a Woman:

  1. The last time I looked, I had lady parts.
  2. I have low testosterone.
  3. Even though I’ll kill bugs, I make Mr. Rubin do it if he’s there.
  4. A snake sighting would do me in.
  5. Skydiving, race-car driving, and bungee jumping hold no appeal.
  6. I am a wuss. (See #4 and #5.)
  7. Mr. Rubin bought me a nice handbag once. Now I rather enjoy them.
  8. I wear makeup and don’t feel complete without it.
  9. I gave birth. Twice.
  10. I love chocolate. Let me repeat, I love chocolate.
  11. I don’t wrestle.
  12. Bodily functions—auditory or otherwise—don’t amuse me.
  13. I want to comfort anything that’s hurting.
  14. Football is as important to me as fuzz in my pockets.
  15. I’ve never mowed a lawn. (Don’t make fun. I have cleaned urinals in a fast-food restaurant.)
  16. I like The View and Dr. Phil.
  17. I smell good. I think.

Phew, it looks like the double-X list is longer. I might be a woman after all…

On second thought...

On second thought…

Any stereotypes you break? Any movie or book clichés you hate? If you’re a writer, any stereotype traps you fall into?

286 Responses to “Am I A Man?”

  1. memyselfandkids.com

    Everyone loves chocolate! If that was only for women, I would be in big trouble.
    How do you feel about football?
    Nah – the giving birth thing gives it away – MISS.

    Like

  2. ZakcHead

    What do I have cookin’? Couple buns in the oven. Speaking of which, good way to know if you’re a woman or not !

    Like

  3. PixelPole

    You are a very strange person. And that’s just because you’re very normal. A pleasant person, very feminine (at least in speech, in the way of putting problem, and the way to present yourself in front of the whole world), a person who manages to preserve her personality and femininity despite ubiquitous patterns and conventions. If your statements are absolutely true (and I believe they are), this proves an unnatural force to resist against the social pressures that pushing everyone to line with the artificial image of “men” and “women”. And all these makes you a very strange “creature”. But it says about a strangeness which is… very nice. Congratulations for having the courage to face the public opprobrium from that ones who can look at you from the alignment of accepted social conformism.

    Like

    • Carrie Rubin

      Thank you so much for your thoughtful words. I am indeed a bit strange, but like wearing the same outfit two days in a row, that doesn’t bother me. They are all true statements, but what I found fun about doing this post was learning that so many readers felt the same way. No one fit into a cookie-cutter description–neither men nor women.

      Thanks for reading and commenting. I appreciate it!

      Like

  4. cindy knoke

    Fab post and I hate shopping to. many females invite me to go shopping. I usually say, “I don’t need anything” or “I don’t like recreational shopping.” One very insistent person always says “oh lets stop here for a second.” Finally, having had enough of this, I came prepared the next time. She said lets just stop in here for the sale. I said, “Okay I need stuff.”
    I bought all my winter clothes in one swoop. Tried on like forty things. She became bored beyond belief and never asked to go shopping with me again.”
    🙂

    Like

    • Carrie Rubin

      Haha, perfect strategy! I’ll have to keep that in mind. 🙂

      The one place I don’t mind wandering the aisles is Target. I think they put something in the air there, because I never leave with just the items on my list. Always throw so many more things in my cart than I intended. Now I try to carry a basket in that store rather than push a big cart so I won’t be tempted…

      Thanks for reading and commenting!

      Like

  5. butimbeautiful

    Had exactly the same thought myself. Maybe there’s a whole lot of mixed-up men-women out there! Scary! (not really) I do sometimes get attracted to a shoe (bright-coloured, strappy). Then I look at my Monster Big Toe and think, nah – back to the Jesus sandals.

    Like

    • Carrie Rubin

      Haha, love the ‘Monster Big Toe.’ I suspected you wouldn’t fall nicely into one camp or the other because you are such a fun mix of unconventional (at least that’s how I perceive you from your posts). 🙂

      Like

  6. Kourtney Heintz

    You’ve got excellent points on each category. I loved the Woman #14. And man #12 almost made me spray coffee on my computer screen. 😉

    Like

    • Carrie Rubin

      Thank you! Never once in my life have I asked another woman to join me in the bathroom (for example, if we’re out as a group). I don’t suspect I’m missing out on much either… 😉

      Like

      • Kourtney Heintz

        LOL. I think it’s good if you get lost easily you have a guide to and from the table. Oh and if you want to gossip about the men at the table. Otherwise quite silly. 🙂

        Like

  9. daniheart21

    So you never ❤ anything accept chocolate eh? 😉 Well if you don't find bodily functions funny you are definitely a girl… little things like giving birth aside.. lol This was really cute. It made me smile.

    Like

    • Carrie Rubin

      Thank you. Glad to make you smile. And I suppose I do find bodily functions funny SOME times. Like in Dumb and Dumber. Much as I know I shouldn’t, I love that movie. The Jeff Daniels potty scene makes me laugh every time…

      Like

      • Dave

        Ha ha … so does that make me a girl since I don’t general find bodily functions humorous? I just had to reply when you brought up a favorite funny move of mine … Dumb and Dumber. That potty scene is hilarious. Can you believe they are currently making a sequel? Not sure what to make of that. Dumb and Dumber twenty years later.

        Anyway, I could go on about how I just might be a girl, but then again am a man. But I’ll leave that alone for now.

        Good luck on the re-certification. You’ll do great. My son — the one currently in his internship — will be taking his step 3 exam in a couple of weeks. Just one more stop in the journey. Looking forward to your return from that chasm known as studying 🙂

        Like

        • Carrie Rubin

          Thank you. I’ve never had any problems with my past board tests–I do so much reading on a regular basis–but it’s always a relief to get the thing done with.

          I love that they’re making a sequel to Dumb and Dumber. I’ll be there with popcorn in hand. 🙂

          Like

  10. philosophermouseofthehedge

    Actually comment on next post.
    People don’t realize what docs have to do.
    You’ve got an intense time ahead.
    (My daughter is tutoring help prepare colleagues/friends. Such stress all around)
    Good luck! (Post a “HEY SEND ME POSITIVE THOUGHTS ON THIS DAY!)
    No response needed…and I’ll tip toe quietly away…

    Like

    • Carrie Rubin

      Ah, you’re sweet to comment. Every field has its maintenance requirements. It’s all part of the job, right? Public health recently started a certification process, too, and I was one of the early ones to take their new board exam, so that will be another thing to keep up. But given I’m in limbo, ready to transition into nonclinical/research work but having a blast spending some time writing, I best stay on the top of my game.

      Thank you for your thoughtfulness!

      Like

  11. writerwendyreid

    I agree with you on the stereotypes for men and women. I hate shopping too and the only “shoes” I go crazy for are pumas, nike or adidas. I don’t like bugs (spiders in particular) so I call my husband when he’s there but can do it myself when I’m left with no choice. The only things I am afraid of are big spiders and bears. Almost everyone who’s met me is afraid of me to some extent. My husband says that I am intimidating (although I am not aware of anything that I seem to be doing – or some vibe that I throw out there) and although most of the time that works to my advantage, sometimes it gets me into deep trouble. I love pink but you’ll never catch me in a dress or in heels. (jeans and cute tops, all the way). Sorry…I’ve somehow made this comment all about me…my bad. I don’t think you’re a guy at all (and I’m ALSO very Sheldon-like. 🙂 xo

    Like

    • Carrie Rubin

      Don’t apologize–I love learning these things about everyone! Shows me how much we all have in common. I too have been told on occasion that I’m intimidating, which I always find amusing because I’m so socially awkward. That’s probably what gives people that impression–I’m quiet and keep to myself. If they only knew that intimidation was the furthest thing from my mind. I’m too busy hoping I don’t say something stupid. 🙂

      Like

  12. Arlene

    Wow Carrie, you are a superstar!! Took me so long to read through all of the replies on this post. The post itself was pretty funny, but the comments were HILARIOUS!!!! Had me laughing out loud several times 🙂 🙂

    I had (what I thought was) a witty comment, but after reading through these it just won’t compare. I do want to say I’m very glad your list helped you figure out you were a woman afterall. I would’ve thought the giving birth twice thing would have been a dead giveaway 😉

    Like

    • Carrie Rubin

      Yes, I guess that birth thing was a pretty good hint…

      And good on you for reading through the comments. Wow. But they really were funny. I had so much fun on Monday reading and responding to them. Thanks for joining in! Have a great night. 🙂

      Like

  13. raeme67

    Romances, phooey! Oh, and I like the facial hair it looks good on you. 😉

    Like

  14. Brigitte

    Carrie, pardon my lateness. But I’m very much like a man in some of the ways you are. I’ll put off shopping for clothes until I simply don’t have anything to wear. I HATE IT. The dragging them in the dressing room, trying them on and putting them back on the hangars. I wish I had someone on call that could bring me things. I HATE SHOPPING. And grocery shopping. I like jeans and tee-shirts most of the time and comfortable shoes as well. If I wear heels out, within an hour, I’m thinking to myself — how the hell did I ever do this and WHY? I too wear clothes two days in a row and if someone shows up somewhere wearing the same thing as me, I don’t care. I have mowed lawns and actually enjoyed it. I prefer wine over beer though and HATE watching sports of any kind on television. I don’t have anything glittery and I keep my nails short and unpainted. But I do smell like a girl because I’m a big Aveda hair and lotion kind of woman. This was funny — thanks for sharing and the pic of you and hubby is great.

    Like

    • Carrie Rubin

      Thank you. 🙂

      It’s fun to learn these things about other bloggers, and I’m discovering what I already suspected: we all have a lot in common, which is probably why we follow each other in the first place. We instinctively knew based on the content perhaps.

      I get most of my clothes from The Gap or Banana Republic, and sometimes Old Navy. Given I’ve worn their stuff for years, I can order online and for the most part, everything fits. I rarely go into a clothing store anymore unless I have to get something for a special occasion. Plus, those three stores are brother companies online, so I can shop from all three at once and save time. Win win for me!

      Like

  15. Sandee

    Reading that you want to comfort anything hurting made me think, awwww… I’m so ‘maternal’ that way, though I never wanted children. While I have no shame in my love for pink, I don’t like talking too much, and it only takes me :09 seconds to pee and wash my hands in the public toilet — go figure! I hate hate hatey hate hate shopping and gladly wear the same outfit over a period of a couple of days. Also, at one time, I had been considered somewhat of a player, and I’m not proud to say that I left a couple of men in tears. Cliches definitely suck because as we’ve illustrated, one can be a mixture of things.

    Like

    • Carrie Rubin

      You are a wonderful mixture. And for the record, if the pink comes in the form of a cake, then I’m all for it…

      Every time I read something from you, Sandee, I find a new reason to adore you. The fact that you can pee and wash your hands in “:09 seconds” makes you a god in my book. Now, if only we could get all those other women to do that so the lines wouldn’t stretch outside the door!

      Like

      • Sandee

        Thanks Carrie! ~hugs~

        If only we could get other women to comply with a :09 limit! Once I saw a line of men outside the bathroom, while the women’s room was free — I thought I was dreaming — hahaha!

        Like

  16. sheilapierson

    That’s funny…I guess I am definitely more feminine and feel like I have to ‘represent’ since I’m in a house filled with guys! Confession: I LOVE a good pair of heels but they don’t always love me 🙂

    Like

    • Carrie Rubin

      At least you do yoga to counter the calf-muscle shortening that comes with wearing heels too much 🙂

      Compared to the guys in my house, I’m girly. I suppose it’s all on a spectrum. If there were little girls in princess costumes running around my home, I fear I’d be ‘butch’…

      Like

  17. 4amWriter

    I’m a little of both, too. I love sports, and I prefer beer to wine. I save all kinds of creatures from certain death (i.e., my cats, my dog, or humans). I don’t like high heels and will wear slippers at all times possible. I like thriller-type movies, but I am squeamish with blood and mutilated bodies.

    Which brings me to my womanly ways: I don’t like anything to do with engines or loud noises and I like to shop–but for other people, namely my kids. I want to comfort anything that’s hurting too, especially animals and children. And chocolate is extremely important for my overall well-being.

    Love the pic of you and the hubs!

    Like

    • Carrie Rubin

      Thank you!

      We sound very similar. I, too, love wearing slippers. I’m not sure when it happened that my feet got cold without them, but they do. Unfortunately, I love wearing slippers so much that on many occasions, I’ve started out the door still wearing them. One time I was actually driving my kids to school before I realized I had them on. Was really, really glad not to get pulled over that day…

      Like

  18. Katie

    And THAT is why you can see the world from all your characters’ POV. 8)
    I do prefer function to frilly.

    Like

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