Chicks, flicks and.....

So, one of my co-workers decided I needed to get acquainted with what he considers one of the best work related movies ever: “The Office”. I watched it and easily related to its content. It had moments of absolute hilarity yet it had some slow points. Not something I would be inclined to watch again though. This led me to think that perhaps I had lost my touch when it comes to watching movies.

But then “Sleepless in Seattle” came on. After watching it, I felt giddy and totally in awe with that idea of some woman (or man) finding love in some super-cosmic-totally-predestined manner. Which brings me here, posting about why chicks dig chick flicks.

Every woman has seen “Sleepless in Seattle” at least twice in their life time. Most men have tolerated it maybe once, usually because they had to for the benefit of their significant other. So, why do women love chick flicks while men avoid them? Here’s my hypothesis.

Women are sold on the idea from an early age that there is such a thing as love at first sight. They are raised on stories of prince charming-type men who gallantly sweep them off their feet at precisely the right moment. Our knights in shining armor protect, provide and preserve our womanly integrity while doting over us constantly with adoration. We dream of the fantasy wedding day and the ever so romantic honeymoon. And don’t forget happily-ever-after....

So naturally, when we get into the real world, we realize that happily-ever-after is more like a typhoon hitting a small island in the tropics someplace. Sure, love can be a slice of heaven on Earth so long as you don’t mind the torrential downpours. We meet Mr. Right (or so we hope) and then shortly after, we go through the stressful wedding planning phase (which really isn’t all that stressful if you ask me), the brief honeymoon stint and then you work on careers, maybe kids, buying a house, paying bills, shuttling kids to sports practices, worrying about the economy, paying more bills, the grumpy bosses, the idiot’s that drive in the same damn commuter lane as you (going tremendously too slow) WITHOUT a passenger.

It’s no wonder we enjoy chick flicks!!! We get to go back into a place within our hearts where those stories hold a glimmer of hope to all the things we were told that were suppose to happen. If only the real world really was that way....

Meanwhile, guys dig guy movies. And why wouldn’t they? From a young age, they are taught to be tough, non-emotional, beer-swilling studs committed to the integrity of their sorority of friends, sports and libido. THAT’S ROMANTIC TO THEM! Seriously, ask any guy how many times they’ve seen Rambo, Rocky, Platoon, Field of Dreams, or Die Hard (1-4) and you’ll get an answer similar to this: “Dude, that movie kicked ass! I saw it like 5 times in one summer!” This list doesn’t include any number of different pornos they’ve seen throughout their lifetime. Let me tell you, heaven help the girl who dares to ask about that – not something for the faint of heart to do. Most guys can quote the sport stats of their favorite team and/or player without even blinking. Some can fix cars in their sleep or tell you exactly how far a .22 rifle will shoot a bullet (PLUS what a sawed-off shot gun could do to a person in close range).

But after watching “Sleepless in Seattle”, I realized that chicks and guys really aren’t very different at all. If you ask a guy how many times he’s watched “Field of Dreams”, follow it up with, “Do you still cry when you see it?” You’ll be surprised by the answer. Some will say “Uh....yeah” while others will says, “I totally cried the first time” or puff up their chest and say “Guys don’t cry at movies”. But believe it or not, guys do have a softer side and they do relate to love like us chicks. Men actually do think of love in the same terms but through different means of expression.

Here is my suggestion: Girl’s – go rent a couple of great manly movies (as mentioned above). Sit down and analyze the hell out of them. And for this year’s Valentine’s Day, I want you girls to get out there and take your man to the shooting range (or whatever manly thing he enjoys – Hooters, a batting cage, an opportunity to meet one of his favorite sport players...). Sit back and try to appreciate their LOVE for guy things; analyze it a bit more (because we all know chicks are really good at this) and then apply their enthusiasm for manly stuff to what we get excited about (shopping, the latest trends, shoes) and you’ll begin to really understand the heart of a man. (HINT for the extremely slow: Their intrigued with people/things that embody extraordinary accomplishment, honor and loyalty).

Guys – Uhm yeah, girls are a little slow when it comes to understanding the importance of putting air in the tires or how Joe Montana’s “throw” has any significance in relation to the real world. But since chicks find those things so very trifling, just smile and nod, take us to the top of the Empire State Building and plop a little green box from Tiffany’s in our lap....you’ll get a nice BJ everyday for months. Or, if you’re thinking a little bit outside of the box and can’t quite make it to New York right now, go watch 9 ½ weeks and remember, we like chocolate covered fruit.

I’m just me and I still believe in love at first sight.