I know that she was writing about New York women, but I felt like she could’ve been talking about women in any big city. While I don’t agree with everything she said in the article she did make a couple of valid points.
[1] You drink too much.
Ridley says that women need to cut back on the happy hours and drinking themselves stupid because no man wants a woman who has the smell of puke on her hair. I think part of what she said was true. No person, man or woman, wants a party animal well into adulthood. I don’t want a guy who can’t pass up a deal at every bar he sees, just like I’m sure no guy wants a girl who can’t do the same.
[2] You might as well be married to your iPhone.
Or in my case your Galaxy SIII. We’re so engrossed in our phones and other electronic devices that we often forget the world around us. I’d be lying if I said that there haven’t been times that I was more concerned with what my friends have posted on Instagram instead of what’s going on right in front of me. Now there was a part of her argument that I didn’t agree with; the whole “walk around with your head up and smile” bit. I’m so sick of being told to smile because I’m a woman. I could probably go on and on about that topic, but that’s for another post on another day.
[3] You wear too much black.
Seriously?! She recommends sticking to “bright welcoming colors” and stay away from dark colors with severe silhouettes. I love bright colors just as much as the next girl, but I have quite a bit of black in my closet too. I don’t dress like I funeral director, but I don’t walk around looking like a box of pastels spit up on me.
[4] You’re dating too many guys at work.
Now this is one I actually agree with. I don’t like mixing business with pleasure and try to steer clear of dating co-workers, especially those in senior positions.
[5] You spend too much time with your gay best friend.
I think that this could also go for spending too much time with any friend. I’m not looking for a boyfriend, but I do make sure that I’m not spending all my time with my gay male friends or straight male friends. I don’t want any future suitor to feel like I’m not approachable.
[6] You’re ignoring your biological clock.
Until recently (as in last year) I’d only considered adopting children so this was never an issue for me. Honestly it still isn’t. I don’t feel the need to give birth to my children and would be perfectly okay if both of my children were adopted.
[7] You hook up too much.
Don’t get me started on this sexist mess. I don’t see anything wrong with hookups as long as you’re being safe. Protect yourself and your partner(s). I don’t like that it’s “acceptable” and even expected for a guy to bed multiple women before settling down with a wife, but frowned upon for a woman to do the same.
[8] You over-rely on NYC conveniences.
Once again, this goes for any big city. Ridley basically said that going home directly after work and ordering food (or cooking in some cases) and curling up with a glass of wine and binge watching Netflix aren’t going to help you find a guy. She encourages women to get out into the world. I guess I sort of agree with her on that. You’re not going to meet anyone cooped up in your apartment, but that doesn’t mean that you have to completely give up your House of Cards and Orange is the New Black binge-a-thons.
So, what do you ladies think? Does Ridley have valid points or should she butt out of other people’s love lives?
