What Women Want – XXV. Connection and Care (1 of 2)
Date Posted: October 28th, 2010
You’ve heard the “reproach” that you weren’t even standing
in line when patience (or any other quality you’re lacking) was
distributed. Well, there wasn’t even one male in the
“connection” line. The power that be having decreed that this
quality is for women only. The “care” line, on the other hand,
is open to both sexes. However, females are favored. It’s like
a help wanted ad which includes the statement, “… women
preferred.” Nature pays no heed to political correctness, or the
bill of rights!
Connection
Over the years, nothing has amazed me more than the ease
with which women can connect with each other.
Two women waiting at a bus stop will, if the wait is long
enough, engage in conversation and exchange, first some
banalities, then some facts about their lives. To the casual
onlooker, they would appear to be lifelong friends.
Two mothers in a park will swap all the knowledge and
insights they have acquired raising children. On the other hand,
two fathers, even with the great icebreaker that children are,
will barely acknowledge each other’s presence.
You may wonder whether this quality has useful applications.
Actually, such a characteristic is invaluable in the corporate
and political worlds.
Female leaders meeting to discuss difficult issues will warm
up to each other quicker than their male counterparts. In turn,
this will facilitate the resolution of the problems at hand.
This attribute is therefore priceless at the leadership
level; but what about ordinary mortals like us? It’s even more
useful for we’re talking of everyday life. Use your female
partner when you have difficulties with other people, whether
they are friends or relatives. Woman have that amazing ability
to connect with other people (men or women). They can hand an
olive branch in the form of a small gift, a note, or flowers.
With this opening, they can start peace negotiations and
hopefully calm the rough waters.
A word of warning. Not every woman can be a peacemaker. If
there is previous enmity, specially with another woman, you would
be starting a conflagration rather than a peace process.
