One of the writers of The Rules got married…
The groom Lance Houpt on one of his first dates with Ellen Fein:
He added: “When you go to these singles weekends, some people are a little too intense, a little too desperate. Ellen was light and breezy.” (She was following one of her books’ directives that women should emulate a summer breeze, not a tornado, when they are around men they like.)
Sounds positively dreamy.
On their engagement:
“By the time we got engaged, we’d been together three years,” she said. “He did take me to a restaurant and get down on one knee. I was really embarrassed. We’re really old.”
I thought the point was to have the whole huge proposal and wedding. I’m so confused.
All snippets via the NYTimes.
From the NYTimes, The Feminine Critique discusses a report by Catalyst, an organization that does studies on women in the workplace, that examined gender stereotypes in different cultures. It sounds like its a real drag for women in the workplace in any country. The report claims that women are considered lacking when it comes to leadership roles and that “the default mental image of a leader is still male.”
Rules to live by:
Don’t get angry. But do take charge. Be nice. But not too nice. Speak up. But don’t seem like you talk too much. Never, ever dress sexy. Make sure to inspire your colleagues — unless you work in Norway, in which case, focus on delegating instead.
All I can is 
Something about this NYTimes piece rubbed me the odd way. (Yes, I meant it that way.) My friend sent me this link to the latest Salon Broadsheet in which Rebecca Traister basically sets it all right out there.
OK. So for those of you following along: Selecting a food to eat on a date because you have calculated that ordering it (provided that you are thin) will give the impression that you do not have food issues? That’s a food issue.
Since when is it so lame to order a salad. And if someone is not going to date you because you’re a vegetarian then move on. Of course, this is all easy for me to say, perhaps, but I have not heard of any broken up relationships over someone’s reluctance to order a burger, let alone a gourmet burger.
Or maybe it’s just August and there ain’t much to write about. Because, you know, it summer and all and I’m busy trying to be dainty yet not picky at the same time.
Maybe I should reread The Rules.
The overlying point here seems to be if you want a date, you can’t be yourself. Because what if you really, really want chicken? Then what the eff do you do?
And getting what she wants…
I found myself accepting his Friday invitation for a Saturday brunch date (against Rule 7) and his last-minute invitations for two more dates that same weekend (a clear violation of Rule 13). We split the bill every time (there goes Rule 4). I got into the habit of phoning him regularly (so much for Rule 5).
I even brought up the topic of marriage (bye-bye, Rule 17) after we had been together for close to a year. “I’m afraid to say the M word to you,” I said, spurred on by a friend’s recent engagement. “I’ve been taught that it’s supposed to come from the guy.”
He smiled sheepishly and said. “I’ve been trying to wait until your birthday to propose, which hasn’t been easy, but …”
From here. Go click before the NYTimes makes it TimesSelect…damn them!
It’s good to know that making fun of and a fool out of The Rules is still considered fun!
Don’t talk to a man first (and don’t ask him to dance)
Never? Not even “lets have a coffee,” or “Do you come here often?” Right, not even these seemingly harmless openers. Otherwise, how will know if spotted you first, was smitten by you and had to have you, or is just being polite?
Seriously!?! Seriously.
Tonight in Barnes & Nobles, I found what the book I have been looking for awhile. I’ve wanted to dissect for SOME TIME ever since it debuted in 1996.
The Rules: Time-Tested Secrets for Capturing the Heart of Mr. Right
Obviously, I never followed these rules.
Expect many funny posts to come!