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The Secret Language of Women?
BY TARIQ KHONJI |
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I've always been puzzled by how girls seem to be obsessed with other girls. They seem to look at other women even more than men do. And I'm talking about some serious checking out here, from top to bottom, from the way they dress to how confident they appear. It's true...you see it all the time in restaurants, clubs, cafes, the mall, parking lots, everywhere! I think that it is a worldwide phenomenon, but I haven't noticed it as much outside the Gulf.
When a girl walks into a room with a guy, the eyes of all the other women dart straight towards her. After they've finished analyzing her, judging her, categorizing her and making up stories about her in their minds, then their attention turns to the man with her...maybe. For about two seconds. Or less. Then it's back to the girl again. I've asked around to discover what exactly goes through their minds and it seems that there are as many answers as there are women: jealousy, inferiority complex, an acknowledgement that the other person looks good and so on.
But primarily women are comparing themselves to each other and perhaps work out the pecking order. They try to figure out who's thinner or fatter, younger or older, wearing the best clothes and more attractive to men. Women have some kind of secret language through which they can tell things about each other from the subtlest of qualities or movements, such as the tossing of hair or twirling of necklaces. They claim to know instinctively when another woman is being intentionally flirtatious or whether it's just innocent allure.
Some women even appear to hate other women simply for being other women, especially in a competitive environment. Some of the looks of disgust I've seen complete strangers give each other speak volumes.
"Tramp, tart, stupid slut, silly cow!"
"What've you got that I haven't?"
"Who does she think she is?"
"Drop dead!"
"You first!," they seem to say to each other in a moment's glance. I tell you, it's a catfight out there!
It's unfortunate that society requires women to look beautiful in a way that it doesn't expect males to because this fosters an unhealthy obsession with appearances. Even the most superficial of men don't look at other guys as much. Not even close. I think most of us just check out the girls checking out the other girls and pretend the other guys aren't there.
(for large attatchments)