h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

To be honest though, until some researcher overcomes all the ethical and logistical hurdles, injects the entire male population with a truth serum and actually does a survey of their 'amourosity', we'll never know who is right. I can only go by personal experience and observing the behaviour of those around me, as can you.

<>

Wait until you are 50 and see if you feel the same..

I should point out that my friend isn't *only* physically attractive. But if I said she wasn't I'd be lying.

I do sometimes feel there should be an age limit for wearing the colour pink.

*Nods* Also for wearing leather trousers.

One word:


























Flares.

Is there ever a right age to be wearing flares?

There is a taste limit for wearing the colour pink.

A little goes a long way.

"Is there ever a right age to be wearing flares?"

I'm finding that 32 is a pretty good age for it...

Would I be way off the mark in guessing that you aren't a cyclist?

Well, there are flares and there are flares.

When I was a fashion-conscious teenager, any trouser leg with any room in it whatsoever was classified as 'flares'. This would have ruled out about 90% of the trousers currently available in the shops (none of which is called 'flares' - they are boot cut or wide leg or even straight leg).

I wouldn't personally go for *real* flares (ie a generous skirt for each leg) but boot cut are really comfy.

And comfy + fashion = adult.

Hey ho.

Mol

Show me a thin girl with long hair in a tight skinny t-shirt and flares and I'll... be fine sitting here for a few moments, thanks.

> This wasn't about you.< EdtB

Referring back to post 56.

I know. It's about the assumption that getting old for a woman is all about feeling she is still attractive to the opposite sex. That is the first thing to be considered.


It's simple thinking. If you actually *talk* to a variety of women you'll find that often they are simply not bothered at all about that and it can be a nuisance in fact. In the second half of lifewhat is always important though is that you are still taken seriously and respected in *all* areas of life. If you are perceived as 'unattractive' by others these other areas can be badly affected. And society in this culture puts a lot of pressure on women in particular to 'look' a certain way..call it 'elegant' or whatever..it's all tied up with the idea that a woman should still look attractive to a man.

Glad to hear your friend is happy with being elegant so that lots of men still find her desirable as a sex object though. You've obviously spoken to her about it.

Effers, the only person I can see making assumptions here is you.

Turns out that just because a man finds a woman attractive it doesn't mean he is objectifiying her. And 'studies show' that sex-positivity and feminism are not incompatible; if she *likes* being found attractive then more power to her. All the feminists I know personally are also very sex-positive (as opposed to just going through the motions as it were) and don't see being found attractive as a negative.

Oh sorry if I make assumptions based on what someone actually posts.

Ed's post 50>>

>>People get old, full stop. There's no shame in it, and there's no reason to pretend it isn't happening.

I have a friend, a couple of years older than me, who's one of the most attractive women I've ever seen. Maaaaaan she is gorgeous. But in an age appropriate way. 'Elegant' is the word. She believes strongly in keeping the company of younger people, just because they're interesting.

And she has to beat off younger guys with a stick.

As well as older ones.
<<

KB has posted something general about aging...In the post above I give some input specifically to do with women in this society.

Ed's first thought and instinct is to respond to KB's general point with a lot of stuff entirely to do with sexual attractiveness. He says she 'attractive' and the inference is because she *looks* elegant.

Fair enough most women are used to that being the first thing that would occur as an example. We are also used to when challenging that, men get defensive.

But I know both you and Ed are two pro women and feminist men...

I wouldn't need to have this conversation with other women I know though.

My first example would have nothing to do with looks...but would be to do with peers still taking your mind seriously, and you wouldn't need to look elegant for that.

My example.

I've recently got friendly with some youngsters moved in next door..there's not a hint of anything sexual in my relationships with them...it's all about talking about things, sharing fun things...ie them treating me like an equal because of what sort of person I am. Not elegant. Casual eccentric. I think that appeals to them more than 'elegant' though.

Beating men off with a stick is a age at any time though. You want to just be respected as a whole person.

*is a pain*

Also don't misrepresent my arguments.

I never said sexual attractiveness wasn't something women would want. You have to talk to the woman and bloody ask her. For some older women yes..for others its an irrelevence.

But obviously Ed will have talked to her about it. It's just in my experience men rarely do talk to women about it...they assume.

<>

The ugly ones I presume.

I'd say Ed's point was the woman was acting and dressing her age, and considered attractive. Unlike some older women, who will dress like teenagers to try and feel attractive.

>The ugly ones I presume.<

Come now swl, you can be less predictible than that.

Marylyn Monroe was tormented by it. She married the brilliant playwright Arthur Miller because he took her seriously for something other than her looks and perceived sexual attractiveness.

But she was utterly caught up in being perceived as pure sex object by the media.

Extreme example admittedly.