Gender Bias

I've noticed lately, somewhat frustratingly, that I seem to be getting two different responses to what's going on with Smith and I and what I should do, or how I should feel.

What's most noticeable to me is that of these two, basically opposing views, one typically comes from women and one, typically, comes from men.

Most men seem to tell me that it's obvious this guy's not interested and sounds like he hasn't ever really been and that's too bad. Must be sad for you, but, well.... Move on.

Most women seem to tell me that it sounds very difficult and they've been through something similar and that hopefully it will work out. Some women tell me that it will work out if it's meant to and that I just need to hang in there.

I'm generalizing here, of course, but women seem to be somewhat hopeful while men seem to say "oh, it's over and he sounds like he was never in it anyway."

I know I'm only telling my, admittedly female, side of the story, so maybe women relate more to what I'm saying, or maybe we women are less realistic than men, or maybe men have an understanding of the male psyche and can see what Smith is doing. Maybe they've done it themselves?

I guess what bothers me is when I hear what the guys have to say about Smith not being interested. When I hear that it makes me angry. Angry with myself for being naive. I guess I tend to think that if the guys around me see it this way, and some women see it this way, then that's likely what Smith's thinking too seeing as he's a man and men must understand each other better than a woman could.

It's hard, when faced with these thoughts, to maintain a sense of peaceful acceptance of what might happen. It's hard to be neutral, even. I want to be somewhere in the middle. I want to believe it will work out if it's supposed to, while still being ok if it doesn't.

I suppose I'll be able to look back on this years from now and know who had a better read on the situation.

No offense, guys, but right now I'm rooting for the ladies.