To think you often get a better discussion with men?

[splendidisolation]

I've been noticing this fairly often recently.

It seems easier to get into debates/quite in depth discussion about politics or ideas, more conceptual/abstract stuff with men than it does women.

Obviously my female friends are like this, that's why we're friends! I'm talking about casual encounters, random people you meet through events or friends of friends.

At least, it seems more frequent or easier to go down the path of having those more "pondering" discussions with a lot of the men I come across, whereas with women it tends to focus on their families, or past relationships, music, books, clothes, travel etc. More "real life" stuff.

Have you noticed this, and if you have, why is it?

Nope, not found this. I spend a portion of most days shooting the shit with care workers (all women) and we have loads of political, wide ranging, free wheeling discussions about all kinds of stuff. Last night we took in post imperialism and the effects on Kashmir, military strategies of Alexander the Great, unisex toilets in nightclubs, Kant's observation on how changing thoughts instead of changing ways of thinking is just "meet the new bossery", whether Haribo jelly men actually had different flavours or just different colours, and whether 90s Bill Clinton would win now.

Small talk is small talk. Those people aren't really like that. They're just being polite.

I wouldn’t start talking politics as small talk, because why would you?!

I am happy to discuss anything with friends... but if you’re not my friend, we’ll be sticking to the weather, thanks.

I think it depends on the location. My female friends will happily discuss those things, but a random mum at a party that I happen to chat to? No chance, half the time - I have had a lot of looks of polite disinterest. Husbands, imo, would be more likely to express interest. This is of course assuming the men don't refuse to talk to me on such topics because I'm female but happily engage with DH (this has also happened and makes me ).

So.... sometimes I'd agree with the op and sometimes not.

God no. DH refuses to have any conversations like that, whereas his sister is awesome at it and will deeply analyse and ponder any topic you care to introduce.

It’s confirmation bias. Any woman you meet who talks small talk is taken as proof of your rule. All the many that don’t (yourself, your friends) are a special exception.

Also women probably sense you think they are superficial and boring and so don’t bother engaging with you.

No. HTH.

2/10

Just noticed the opposite with DP.
Does that help?

Oh God no talking to a booze crazed sofa shitting ex is boring and futile

Maybe all women become a self fulfilling prophecy for your odd view of them as you don't initiate those types of conversations with them and you do with men? What you have described in your OP is utterly bizarre, and not something I have come across.

Have you by any chance read that quote about thick people discussing people, middling people discussing things and intelligent people discussing ideas? I mangled that btw, CBA to Google.

Firmly planting yourself in the last group there.

I actively avoid getting into political/philosophical discussions with men

No, can't say I have.

Depends what you want to talk about really. I don’t have children, I don’t want children, I don’t want to talk about children. I find if I socialise with a group my age which is made up of only women that’s where the conversation ends up. So in that case I prefer the company of men.

However if I want to discuss the state of women’s rights then a group of women is my choice.

No, I haven't experienced this

I speak about all sorts of subjects with all sorts of people

Nope. Can't stand talking (listening) to men. They just tell me things. It's not a discussion.

Boring.

For fuck's sake

Perhaps that is why they get paid so much more eh?

No.

Not noticed that.

Nope

No.

So many of this joke threads look superficially serious

Bit like OP.

Do you mean men who will happily have a deep and meaningful discussion with women who make clear they're enthralled by men and flattered by male attention, a la ooooh there's a chance to get into her knickers she's well into me? There are men who'll talk with you for ages about any and everything, if there's a chance of action in their eyes

Or is it that men are simply entranced by your discourse on politics and every other subject under the sun including the price of chips?

Only I've never noticed, amongst male and female friends, that men are any better at engaging, debating, listening and understanding. Then again I quite like women. & male validation doesn't much interest me.

It's likely as Im not a man magnet like you, you lucky lady. One of the special women that just stand out, obviously.