Okay, so, I’m online reading an AskMen.com article titled Be The Cockblocker. “[If] another guy comes in and crowds your play, you’ll likely become frustrated and irritated,” says Gary Jackson. “Have no fear though, there is a last-ditch effort you can employ if you really don’t want to give up and find another target: You can become the cockblocker.” Man, I don’t even know where to start with this article. It’s a HILARIOUS read. Quite comical. Basically, the crux of the article seems to be this: If you wait too long to approach a woman, another man might beat you to the punch. But, don’t let this spoil your night — just go ahead and still make a move anyway. And how, pray tell, does the article suggest that a guy do that? Well, for example, just walk up and offer to buy the pair a round of drinks. The article’s author suggests: “a cosmo for her and a glass of milk for him.” (Maybe I like assholes, but I actually think that would be pretty funny.)
Anyway, the article does make me wonder: When it comes to dating, are men more competitive than women? My curiosity about this very question compelled me to ask Mystery Man (MM) to share his thoughts. MM tells me that he has (unfortunately for me) started dating this woman, right? Well, MM’s really close guy friend is a *total* flirt. So, MM tells his guy friend that he doesn’t want him to flirt with his woman when he meets her, right? What does the guy friend say? “I can’t promise anything. What if I take one look at her and discover that she’s the love of my life?!?!” I tell MM, “Your friend is a jackass. You’d never hit on *his* girlfriend, would you?” MM’s response? “Depends. I mean … you know … What if she’s *really* hot?”
Men. Can’t date em without heartbreak. Can’t stab em without going to jail. But, anyway, back to my original question: When it comes to dating, do you think men are more competitive with each other than women are? Or, do you think it’s the other way around?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
i personally think that we’re both equally competitive, but that women can be more sneaky about it than men. Men seem to love that overt competition, they have no problems having a pissing contest in plain sight of everyone. With women, I think it’s more subtle and underhanded. I’ve had women just slip and in and steal a man from me before I even knew what was going on.
Ahaha! GREAT post! :o)
Personally, I think men who know each other are more competitive with one another, whereas women are more competitive with other women they DON’T know. Generally, when a woman is dating someone, their friends know he is Off Limits, plain and simple. Men, on the other hand, tend to play the field more (please forgive me if I’m being archaic here…), so if a friend finds his “girl” hot and he doesn’t care too much either way if he’s with her, well, he probably wouldn’t care nearly as much if his friend hit on her as a woman would be in the same situation.
I think both are equally competitive. Although, I think men are more likely to do something about it, while most girls will sulk when things don’t go their way.
Over the age of 21, it’s definitely women (let’s not even near the 35+ bracket). I’ve seen girls ‘compete’ over ‘dogs’ they wouldn’t usually date… just because another girl in the crowd shows interest. ;-)
tara: Subtle and underhanded is a good phrase to use; I totally know what you mean. I had the whole “woman sneaks in to steal your man” thing happen to me once. Many many many many years ago. I learned my lesson. Well. Very well. So, now, I’m a total b!tch about that stuff. I spot the signs quickly, and I have **zero** tolerance.
AmyD: That’s a *really* good observation. Men do seem to be a bit more competive with each other than they are with strangers.
ChiGirl: Wow. Another very good observation!
ErrorBoy: I think it has more to do with a level of desperation & insecurity than it does with age. The more desperate & insecure the woman is, the more likely she is to be competitive with other women (friend or foe) when it comes to men.
I think women are more competitive with one another in general. We always want to be the prettiest in the room, even if men aren’t present.