I just have to powder my nose

Despite the understandably concerted drive by feminist legions a couple of decades ago to neutralize the differences between the sexes by various means -- changing the language by getting rid of words like actress, waitress, fireman, policeman, paperboy, etc; discouraging gender oriented play among children by getting 'Barbies' as gifts for boys, and dump-trucks for girls, and trying to kill all competition in school sports (seen as an aggressive male attitude), by encouraging mixed endeavors that are just for fun -- the differences remain. Viva that, I say.

I think most would agree that attitudes, especially of males, have improved and become more inclusive -- sorta, kinda. But, probably the differences between the sexes that remain will always remain because they are ingrained in the DNA, and therefore have to be honored.

Anyway, a lot of old beliefs about those elements that were deemed gender-specific have been put to the lie. Such misapprehensions that wars are caused by men, because men are more aggressive and belligerent. Ha! Tell that to Margaret Thatcher or the adolescent thugettes who roam the streets and beat the snot of some unfortunate girl who doesn't meet whatever preordained grade she was supposed to meet. Unfortunately, at certain basic levels the sexes are pretty much the same. But, in others, no amount of psychological re-education will ever bring about complete change. As a male I will always be charmed by visible panty lines, for example, and nothing will nullify that attitude within me. And perhaps that is for the best. I love the differences between the sexes, and since I love the company of women, I would hate for them to become more like men. I suspect women feel the same about men.

I suspect, at the end of the day, there is one area in which the two sexes will never be of accord. That is to do with what goes on behind the closed doors of a bathroom, either private or public restroom. No, don't get concerned. I am not about to get all vulgar and unpleasant here. What I want to talk about is washing the hands.

From the time they are little girls, females are taught that they must always wash after they have finished doing whatever it was they went in there to do. And, for the most part, females all there lives always apply soap and water to accomplish that task. Males don't. Oh, they pretend they do, but really they don't. It's something about control, I think.

Often in men's rooms there are actual signs suggesting that users of the facilities wash after using the porcelain facilities. Most don't. Sorry, but it's true. I mean, after one particular function, males do, but post-urination. Nah. A survey done a few years ago, however, suggests that sometimes men are a bit self-conscious about this, and they don't want any other male to think they are slobs, or unsanitary. If a man is alone in a restroom, about 75 percent of the time he will not bother to wash after urination. But, if another male is in the room about 75 percent of the time, he 'will' wash, so the other guy won't be creeped out by his behavior. Even though the other guy likely wouldn't wash if he was in there alone. At home, of course, a man is scot-free. Who's to know. Maybe just before a meal or food preparation, certainly. But, if he is going out to cut the grass, why bother?

Old story from World War Two. Sailor is standing at urinal. Finishes the task and walks away. There was also an army sergeant at the urinal. Sergeant says to the departing sailor who is heading for the door. "Army washes after using the head, sailor!" Sailor turns and says, "Navy doesn't piss on its hands, soldier."

Anyway, I could tell you that I always wash my hands. You would really have no way of knowing, however.