Not the same one as these people, certainly.
Thinking it was from someone else, I followed Erica's link in her comment on Heather and Jon's blog, which eventually led me to this supposedly funny story about the differences between the way men and women prepare dinner. I realize it's intended to be hyperbolic, but there's enough seriousness in the post and responses to make me believe there's another world out there that has nothing to do with anyone I know.
First of all, who brought this man up that he is surprised to learn that it's rude to ask someone to make you (and some friends) dinner (big faux pas), then call her up an hour before mealtime to tell her you've eaten a big lunch and aren't hungry, so she needn't bother cooking (enormously huge faux pas)? C'mon—there can't really be anyone so clueless on the planet, can there?
Secondly, the characterization of a man's approach to a meal might have been credible 50 years ago, though even for that time I have my doubts. In any case, many of the men I know are good cooks who frequently exercise their talents, and the rest can do so in a pinch. Sure, we all—male and female—have been known to "just grab something" when feeding only ourselves. But for guests?
Nor is his picture of a woman preparing a meal much more reasonable, though at least it helps him grasp the idea that planning and work are involved. But no one I know, of any sex, prepares meals that way—even allowng for the hyperbole—except for very special occasions.
Not being able to respond on the blogs I encountered while discovering this other planet, I resort to venting on my own forum. Do YOU know people like this?
Still, I give him lots of credit for realizing he was a boor, and wanting to do better. We need more people like that on our planet.
