Men at the sales

I have not a husband now, however I do still like a man who has more sense of independence than to trail around after his spouse all the time.

But a man can accompany his wife on a buying expedition without being judged to have "trailed round after her" He is just as likely to benefit from using what she has bought, after all.

Years ago when sewing pattern catalogues were the norm, as I was browsing one, there was a man looking through one with his wife telling her (on every page) she would look amazing, wonderful . He then turned to me and started to tell me how they would suit me. Yuk ! Thank goodness my DH stays at home on my shopping trips.

I never took to the New Man image and I still prefer the sort of man who has more serious or more practical interests than clothes shopping. I cannot imagine Mr Darcy helping to choose knickers.

So how does the man who’s too independent, serious and practical to shop get any clothes then?

His wife buys them!

Speaking as a man who is too independent, serious and practical to shop my routine would be to take my wife shopping, dropping her off wherever she desires with a promise to collect her on demand.

I then proceed to the nearest Matalan, 5 minutes later pay for all my purchases which will see me through for 12 months then off to such premises that allow me to view various contraptions that allow me to do manly, important and technical things at my leisure.

Oh go back to your shed Prestbury!!

Only joking

I think my OH is posting on here under the alias of Prestbury. Better be careful what I say.

Grannyticktock: My sister's husband died in June and she feels as you do, missing him all the time, but particularly when she returns from shopping. She opens the front door and calls 'Hello, I'm home!'

Don’t see why it is assumed the man is trailing.

Why can’t the couple be assumed to be out shopping/having chat and coffee together just like a group of ladies?

saggi and sodapop, I have been considering your helpful suggestion that I should "grow a pair". It had not occurred to me before that a couple's shopping habits might be some kind of virility indicator, or on a different interpretation rhat you were referring to horns and I should encourage Mrs. Grumppa to take a lover and make me a cuckold (I obviously spend too much time dipping into 16rh and 17th century drama).

This set me wondering what equivalent light-hearted banter it would be permissible for a man on Gransnet to apply to a woman.

Suggestions welcome. I promise not to use them!

I don't recall saying that grumppa but of course I bow to your superior memory.
I think you would fit into our French life style very well, over here man is still king.

Someone said it, because I remember thinking "How rude!"

It was Saggi Sat 29-Dec-18 18:15:10

permissible for a man on Gransnet to apply to a woman
Grumppa; Apart from "light-hearted banter", being something of a tautology, why would we need permission to say something nice about the ladies? I'm sure they'd give a "Like!"
They might even tap you on your head, ruffle your hair (if you have any), say "there, there" and even give you a kiss if you can look sheepish enough! Half your luck! Much nicer than shouting "Charge" and committing Hari-Kari.

Grumppa:

"This set me wondering what equivalent light-hearted banter it would be permissible for a man on Gransnet to apply to a woman."

Shrewishness comes and goes and sometimes dwells with the man