Martian

So what do you take issue with? I'm a bit confused by that. Is it that we're not ashamed to express it? Surely you don't think all men intend on acting on such thoughts, so I can't imagine it's that. And not all men see women as only a pair of tits and an ass. There are men out there like that, but there are idiotic women too; that's certainly not a phenomenon that's tied to the Y chromosome.

Objectification occurs. It's natural and it's a part of life and there's nothing wrong with it. If I see an attractive woman walking down the street I'm certainly not going to think 'wow, she has a big, sexy brain.' I don't even know her name, and am therefore certainly not appreciating whatever intellectual merits she may or may not have. It's a purely physical response. How is it wrong, then, if I express this to my friends in the appropriate context? I would argue that for the vast majority of men in the vast majority of situations it has to be said at least partially in jest; after all, we're not intending to actively pursue a sexual relationship with every attractive woman we see. All other concerns aside, I simply wouldn't have the energy to do so. Therefore, when I say it there is almost by definition a sense of irony involved; I know it's not going to happen, but it's a way for me to express in an amusing way my appreciation for that particular woman's physical attractiveness.

I've never understood why it should be wrong for me to admire a beautiful woman. In the same sense, I've also never understood why it should be wrong for me to express an appreciation of that woman's beauty. I may recognize the necessity of repressing such sentiments in certain social contexts, but that doesn't mean I understand it.

Oh, but I would hit that.

(Had to be said.)

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame