He Just Said What He’s Saying

Hello folks, let’s chat… This just in. Scientists have located the area of the brain responsible for interpreting sarcasm. It’s on the right side and it’s called the sagittal stratum. There was no evidence to suggest the majority of men are missing this sarcasm section. At least, no conclusive evidence.

Still, I think we girls can agree that we use our sagittal stratums far more frequently. As I told an audience of women recently, it’s easier to understand men when you realize that what they say is usually what they mean. Rolling your eyes at your Sweet Thang and asking, “What are you saying?” rarely advances the conversations and usually confuses him because he just said what he’s saying. What’s interesting here is that the article said this sarcasm section is the same area of the brain responsible for logic. Really? Are we talking male logic or female logic? In my experience, there can be a great gulf between the two.

For illustration, I give you a story I picked up while road-tripping in the Big D. I witnessed the following exchange in one of those big box decorating stores between a couple who were clearly operating from different ends of the male/female logic spectrum. Our test subjects were thirty-somethings, she stylishly underdressed in a “I just threw this on and I’m adorable” kind of way. Her man, looking like he was set for a day of golfing with his buds, which may explain his impatience with how long it was taking her to select a wicker basket.

“I don’t want to be late,” Mr. Golfer said to Cutie Patootie.

“You have time,” she replied as she continued browsing.

Mr. Golfer held up a basket. “How about this one?”

She shook her head, “No.”

“It’s got leather handles,” he told her. She shook her head, again.

“You like leather,” he insisted.

“I said no.”

Desperate now, Mr. Golfer resorted to reading the label, “But, it’s approved for residential use in California.”

“Honey,” Cutie Patootie said slowly. “We live in Texas.”

Is it just me, or was there a hint of sarcasm there?

Hugs, Shellie