Okay..you guys do have it tougher....

I was reading the New York Times and came across this article called "Man Date" at first I thought the author was joking....As a woman I have no problem meeting other women for nights out and we don't worry about the location or leaving a seat between us at the theatre. So I started doing some minor research on this to see if it really was an issue.

I was amazed at the amount of articles/sites out there listing these types of "rules", most based on the fear of someone thinking two guys out on the town were not friends but a "couple". To me someone I don't know thinking I'm gay or not doesn't bother me. In days past when I was a wilder party type girl going to one of the local gay clubs was a fun night with both straight and gay friends. Sometimes I'd get hit on, I looked at is as a compliment and went on having a good time.

Here's a list of some of the "rules" I found while searching.....

Don't wear each other's clothes. Don't buy matching clothes unless there are at least five of you doing it. Don't admire his new pants too much, in fact, best just not to mention them. Hats and shoes are safe.

Feeling up a buzz cut is acceptable for the first week, after that, hands off!

You do not watch Oprah. You have never seen Oprah. You WILL never see Oprah. Oprah who? Exactly.

Make sure your Queer Eye For the Straight Guy DVD collection is out of sight.

Don't wear each other's clothes. Don't buy matching clothes unless there are at least five of you doing it. Don't admire his new pants too much, in fact, best just not to mention them. Hats and shoes are safe.

When using the urinals, there must be a empty one in-between men. If all that's left open is an "in-between" urinal, then choose the one closest to the exit.

Hetero males DO NOT sit next to one another at the movies. It's cool to take in movie together, but there has to be a seat in between, and you CANNOT share a jumbo popcorn.

Butt pats are only acceptable in moments of glory resulting from a sporting event victory.

There's always the guy hug. If you're a guy and the person you're hugging is another guy, you just pat them on the shoulder or the back without ever embracing. It's a guy hug!

So guys....as I laugh, I'll always say I'm very very glad I'm a woman. While I may not be able to write my name in the snow, I think I'll live....