Betwixt and between

Your comment the other day that "I don't like women" is not true. I can be as fascinated by women as the next man, its just the fact that, like the next man I don't really understand them.

Apart from physiological differences men and women resemble each other to the extent that we are lured into the belief that were are the same. But of course we are not.

Culturally we are raised in a different way and this, predicts the way we think and act. 

Different societies have different norms. In the West we apply "sugar and spice and all things nice" to girls as they grow up into women whilst the boys are relegated to "puppy dogs tails" and a strong dose of "don't cry"

In 'societies' willingness  to put the girl on a  pedestal we damage both sexes. 

It's only the inherent  'good disposition' that men accrue (😛) by being formally made the "underdog" as they advance through the formative stages of forming their personalities within the family, that we must defer to their "weaknesses" since we are told they are in some way (not defined) fragile.

The surety of their special place in the hierarchy of the human social structure, their "princess stage" lives with many of them throughout their lives and makes them, unless one is prepared to continue the myth, a challenge to live with.

They are fascinating but different and it's the length one is prepared to go to worship at the artificial contrivance, as well as understand the drive that sex has in the relationship which makes the merry go round of cohabitation the often, not so merry, business it can become.

Men like women are always trying to square the circle when it comes to understanding and complying with the 'others' definition of the "good life". 

Our drives are different, our objectives often different and whilst we use that infamous term "compromise" to achieve a subjective harmony there can be growing resentment in both camps at the lack of understanding "my" needs.

Fundamentally I remain open on the proposition that a good, 'give and take' relationship between men and women can be achieved, (much more than just a friendship). But not only 'give and take', it's more, an ability that when a proposition to do something is mooted, the question of the other persons "rooted proclivity" has to be evaluated and the question asked,"Is my position on this matter important or is it becoming a reason, (in its self), to oppose, based on the understanding of the instinctive roles we play, which spring from our upbringing".

No I would say I am "intrigued  by women", mesmerised by the difference and a little at sea without them.