Why does the presence of women cause men to not have male friends?
Women tend to behave very differently in all-female group compared to when even a single man is present.
And if that man is charismatic or handsome its completely different dynamics and resulting behavior again.
Never thought about it myself but one female friend mentioned this once (how toxic their work environment becomes when there is no man), so started noticing it around.
As a married man I can understand these clubs fully. A man is never so relaxed, open and honest as when with other men, only men. I would expect the same among women, while accepting they always play their little games also just among themselves (which are very tiring for most men in long run and thus those clubs' popularity)
In my experience (as a man) men tend to behave quite differently when there’s no women present too.
Generally I much prefer mixed gender socialising!
All sorts of weird hazing and one up manship happened when I was a young man in these groups. That’s how you get these crazy Dubai guy videos of people skiing in sandals on a highway or driving on 2 tires.
> A man is never so relaxed, open and honest as when with other men, only men.
That's not been the the case in my experience, as a man.
You're more open and honest with any man than with your wife?
I'm more open with many men than my wife, who famously laughed reminiscing on one of her exes who opened up to her and cried.
I've yet to see the clam closing up than I did on the day. Sadly it happened way too late for some things.
So yeah, don't be vulnerable around women. That's the warning my wife gave me.
In some topics yes (not just any man, male close friends), but not in some others.
All in all, I am most open to her from whole mankind, but thats also due to the fact she is not same as typical women are in these aspects. It took me some time (and painful breakups with other women) to realize who I am, what and whom I want next to me and then find her.
Still, some topics are simply not built for women, and thats fine, some are not built for men.
Is it really so hard to understand this?
I am very different around my wife than random women.
We aren't talking about spouses.
The group dynamic changes the moment it is not single sex anymore.
Yes, it basically changes to men complaining about women. The people with a good sex life end up becoming therapists for the group.
Mixed groups on the other hand turn into a soap opera.
What is needed is a strong common interest that binds the group beyond these tendencies to stave off the soap opera entropy. The soap opera entropy will always increase with time though until the group dissolves.
It is still more stable though than the misogynist entropy.
>Yes, it basically changes to men complaining about women. The people with a good sex life end up becoming therapists for the group.
Just not true. Men only groups are rarely misogynist, more often they are homophobic in the sense that everyone is trying to imply that everyone else is secretly gay.
There is also various forms of dick measuring contests - who can grill better, who caught bigger fish and so on. Also for hobbies. And a lot of stories. You have no idea the acts of bravery worthy of medal of honor you will hear.
Bitching about women is minor.
On the other hand being able to overhear what my roommate and her girlfriends (early 20s) talk about - on some evenings they don't pass the Bechdel test in real life. On other evenings it usually evenly split between men, fashion, professional.
> There is also various forms of dick measuring contests - who can grill better, who caught bigger fish and so on. Also for hobbies. And a lot of stories. You have no idea the acts of bravery worthy of medal of honor you will hear.
This is exactly what I do not want to be part of.