I’m open minded, not sure I’m this open minded though
Thankfully this statement, generally delivered in a disapproving tone is rarely directed at me. Well it may well be directed at me when I’m not around but I sincerely hope not. The statement with its disapproving tone is generally uttered by a female friend or family member. What’s surprising when it’s uttered by the family members is that my family is internationalized to say the least, there are French, Welsh, English, Black, American members of the family as well as someone who I think is a Czechoslovakian, though I could be mistaken with religions ranging from Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant, Born Again (my personal favourites because of the utter craziness exhibited) and even a Muslim.
But for all this UN-like multiculturalism, there appears one thing the ladies in the family have an aversion to and that’s Sri Lankan guys. This is especially true for the Sri Lankan girls who were born in Sri Lanka but have lived here for some time. And the aversion is also shared by a number of female acquaintances I have of Sri Lankan origin. I think it’s almost subconscious on some of their parts because they start bitching out the species in front of me and appear quite surprised when I, naturally, put my hand up and protest.
The sad truth is though, the reasons they give for their dislike seem to be true, that they are insecure and controlling. I personally have my doubts that this is a solely Sri Lankan attribute but I have seen a number of Sri Lankan guys who do fit the bill of controlling. They don’t like their girls dressing nice, going out by themselves, working, making more money than them or on some memorable occasions they attempt to hit you over the head with a pool cue for talking to them.
I’m a bit peeved with this though, both the generalization and the behaviour of the said chaps. For one thing the former means that a lot of brown girls simply dismiss me out of hand because I’m brown. Sure tell me to fuck off because I’m arrogant, cocky and have an inappropriate sense of humour (though this list is far from exhaustive) but at least let me piss you off with my attitude as opposed to the colour of my skin and the expectations that arise from it.
Also I’m pissed with the guys, they need to chill out for one. I personally like an independent woman, one who works, has friends to hang out with and does her own thing. Primarily because I have so much crap going on in my life and don’t foresee that changing for the next couple of decades that I don’t have a lot of time to devote to a relationship. Also if she goes out with her mates then I can go out with my friends and I don’t really mind the gf flirting a bit, because then I can.
The key element in a relationship is trust, she has to know that even though I may flirt (lets be honest, sometimes it helps getting stuff done, from getting tickets changed to real estate records recorded) I would never, ever do anything more (unless I run into Jessica Alba, then all bets are off), and I would expect the same for her. Else I wouldn’t be (hypothetically speaking) in the relationship. Also I prefer the girls I’m with looking sexy, for one thing I’m easily bored and the better she dresses the less I have to drink (I’m kidding, no I really am) and she can dance, flirt with anyone she wants, because at the end of the day she’d be coming home with me, while all the poor sods who thought they were getting some have to go home to their cold, lonely beds. The best part of course is that while she dances with some other guys that leaves me to have a chat with the buddies and try and deplete the national reserves of Reserve.
So in short I have two appeals, one is to the anal retentive guys (Sri Lankan and others), chill out…you’re giving guys like me a bad name and reducing my chances of getting hitched (or laid for that matter) to a nice brown girl. And to the girls, give a brown guy a break, I’m chill, I really am. Also I have absolutely, absolutely no problem with you making more money than I do…if you’re worried about that.

From my limited experience, many Sri Lankan guys are intimidated by independent, high-achieving Sri Lankan girls. Although I guess my comparison of Sri Lankan guys v. non-Sri Lankan guys is quite biased…the majority of non-Sri Lankans I’ve met are at university with me, and hence they’re not (seemingly) intimidated by a girl doing a PhD in Engineering. Tell a Sri Lankan guy (for instance someone you meet at a party) that you’re doing a PhD, and that’s enough for him to run away and hide.
That said, I do know some relatively broad minded Sri Lankan guys…but again, they’re at university with me, and they’ve been forced to accept that Sri Lankan girls are as capable as anyone else.
In the end, I don’t think it’s a question of cultural background though - an English friend of mine mentioned the other day that (English) guys run away from her when she says that she’s doing a PhD.
Why are so many guys threatened by women who are possibly smarter than they are?
Comment by PseudoRandom — June 3, 2007 @ 10:43 am
The intimidation ain’t only with Sri Lankan guys, but with MOST guys all over the world. They either get the bright spark to compete with you, pull you down and stop your progress or critisize you in the face for being fearless and independant. I’m inexperienced with the Whites but em Middle Easterns and the Afros are surely no better at playing the intimidation game
The fact that the girl can fix her car/gizmos on her own, negotiate and voice her opinion all fall into the catogory of things that can set a man’s ego on fire;)
Comment by Judy — June 3, 2007 @ 1:31 pm
finger-printnig is a terrible thing, but some don’t have another choice. girls being smart and independent are fine alright. I’m thinkin where does chivalry fit in, in today’s terms ?? (just a thought that crossed)
Comment by dogfight — June 3, 2007 @ 6:47 pm
Interesting q, dogfight. Personally, I think it’s still possible to be chivalrous…although it’s more difficult, because the guy has to be chivalrous without being patronising or overbearing. And he has to be OK with the girl refusing his help, for whatever reason.
I do know a few guys who achieve the balance perfectly…surely it’s not that difficult?
Comment by PseudoRandom — June 3, 2007 @ 8:46 pm
Good one. I love the bit where you say “but at least let me piss you off with my attitude as opposed to the colour of my skin”.
Btw, you meant to say “unless I run into Jessica Alba while she’s really really really drunk” didnt you?
Comment by SpectralCentroid — June 4, 2007 @ 4:00 am
Oh and, black latex pants and high heels… grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr…
Comment by SpectralCentroid — June 4, 2007 @ 4:02 am
Pseudorandom – not me! I like girls who do PhD’s…yes I may make a few geek jokes here and there but then I’m a geek as well…personally attitude and being smart are huge turn-ons to me…that’s probably why I’ve lost my chat-up ability because all the girls I meet in clubs are so, so vapid!
Judy – yeah I figured as much, but thanks for the confirmation…but it’s still ridiculous that I get the short shift because of that (yes I’m a bit bitter
)
dogfight – (fingerprinting?) ooh, now that’s a tough question…I pose it less as chivalry and more being polite…but Pseudo it is tough because girls react so differently…some think it’s demeaning while others don’t mind…so in turn I get my head bit off or err…something else for my actions
Spectral – hehe…thanks….come on now be nice…I don’t think Jessica need be that drunk!
…what you didn’t like the whip?
Comment by childof25 — June 4, 2007 @ 4:08 am
Hmmmm… i feel i must not say anything about this
Comment by Mr. Evil — June 5, 2007 @ 6:23 am