Why are men so damn competitive??

[Shy Tall Guy]

I just wasted half a dozen emails on a motorcycle mailing list arguing with someone about a detail of an engine design. Of course I was right - but men are just so competitive that they can't stand being proved wrong about the most minor detail of some arcane subject.

I know all the reasons; it is in our culture, alpha-male, etc. - but it never ceases to amaze me how much more this aspect of human behavior is apparent in males than in females.

I am not that competitive when it comes to sports and other "macho" type things, but when it comes to something tech or (to a lesser degree) political, I can be as competitive as the next person.

 

[Saint Peter]

Aint testosterone a great thing?

 

[cg_allstar]

Testosterone! Grrr!

 

[SimGuy]

I've begun revising my opinion about what is "being too competitive" and what is "taking yourself far toooo seriously".

I'm reaching the opinion that most male behavior falls under the latter category.

 

[amelia]

men are competitive?

 

[Never]

Yet another bit of evidence to suggest I was born the wrong sex.

 

[ScarlettRose]

ah yes, women are so non competitive try raising sisters, or working for a company that employs mostly women.

 

[SleepingWarrior]

Being competitive isn't a good thing but it isn't really being competitive if you know you are right about something the other person is wrong about.

 

[Shy Tall Guy]

Aint testosterone a great thing?

Okay, so if the cause is testosterone, and excess testosterone causes balding, then why am I balding but not so competitive?

 

[Mischka]

...I can be as competitive as the next person.

I like how you started off with a gender generalization, but ended on this note. It saved you an ass-ripping on unfounded stereotypes.

 

[Never]

Mischka:
"I like how you started off with a gender generalization, but ended on this note. It saved you an ass-ripping on unfounded stereotypes. "

You were going to give him an ass-rippin'? Dang, I haven't seen one in so long.

 

[deliciously_naughty]

As a woman, I'm offended by the title...I can be just as competitive as a man and as stubborn as a man. I'm just more subtle about it. (or maybe not...see the thread where I beat my head against the wall called "matriarchal societies)

 

[Saint Peter]

Okay, so if the cause is testosterone, and excess testosterone causes balding, then why am I balding but not so competitive?

Damn helmet laws.

 

[Shy Tall Guy]

Being competitive isn't a good thing but it isn't really being competitive if you know you are right about something the other person is wrong about.

I think a certain amount of competition is good, but it can get ridiculous at times.

Most of the time I don't push it as far as this time unless I am absolutely sure I am right, but that doesn't mean it is about being right, it just means I have made a fool of myself enough times to know to pick and choose my fights.

There is as certain satisfaction in proving someone wrong when they question your assertions. I don't enjoy making people look like fools when they are wrong, although I am anal enough to correct them if I think they are wrong - but if they try to correct me, that gets me going!

 

[Never]

deliciously_naughty:
"As a woman, I'm offended by the title...I can be just as competitive as a man and as stubborn as a man. I'm just more subtle about it. (or maybe not...see the thread where I beat my head against the wall called "matriarchal societies)"

Odd how I knew you were going to post to this thread the moment I saw the title.

But do you do ass-rippin's? That's what I want to know.

 

[Shy Tall Guy]

ah yes, women are so non competitive try raising sisters, or working for a company that employs mostly women.

So do women argue about little nit picking details like the design of an engine? When the resolution has no real bearing on anything whatsoever except to prove who is right and who is wrong?

I know women can be competitive about things that are important to them - but are they competitive about trivial details just to improve their place in the pecking order?

 

[Shy Tall Guy]

As a woman, I'm offended by the title...I can be just as competitive as a man and as stubborn as a man. I'm just more subtle about it. (or maybe not...see the thread where I beat my head against the wall called "matriarchal societies)

I didn't say that women weren't competitive, I just said men, in general, are damn competitive - to the point of being ridiculous.

 

[morninggirl5]

ah yes, women are so non competitive try raising sisters, or working for a company that employs mostly women.

that would definitely change the men to women in his thread title

 

[Shy Tall Guy]

Re: Re: Why are men so damn competitive??

I like how you started off with a gender generalization, but ended on this note. It saved you an ass-ripping on unfounded stereotypes.

It may be a stereotype and generalization, but I believe it is nonetheless true. Shall I bend over now so you can rip my ass?