Science Report by Robert Lewis

Have you seen this study? While I’m always a sucker for a scientific examination of this sort of topic — in this case, do men misinterpret women’s friendliness for sexual interest — I have to question the methodology here. Male subjects of the experiment were shown photos of women and asked to rank the pictures on scales of friendliness, attractiveness and sexual interest, among other factors. The results of those surveys were then compared to a 50-50 coed control group who set the standard for those pictures; that is, if the control group agreed on the qualities of a woman’s pic, that was its “true value”. (The short answer from the study: Yes, we do.)

But this was all so cold-blooded! They didn’t truly measure if guys were mixing up the signals. I’d rather see researchers following a subject around town, asking every woman he came into contact with, “What did you think about him?” and comparing those answers to the guy’s responses to, “Which of those chicks wanted you?” Maybe this violates some sort of Milgram Experiment Unwitting-Participant law, but I still feel this would provide a more accurate and compelling set of results.

I would even be willing to participate in the study myself. I actually think I would make an excellent subject, as I have observed in the past week alone sexy vibes from the grocery store cashier, four coworkers and a Senior Director, my dentist’s receptionist, two high school classmates, a cat owner at the vet, and I’m pretty sure even the telemarketer from the credit card company. Those chicks all want me.

Robert Lewis is pleased to offer a masculine perspective to Pink Nighties’ readers. He likes red Italian wine with dinner, coffee and the newspaper on Sunday mornings and hot, sweaty lovemaking just about anytime. Luckily for him, his wife likes those things, too.