A Conversation Between Venus And Mars

Three weeks ago.

Mr. Fix-it: I guess my company does a nice holiday party at a hotel downtown.

Me: When is it?

Mr. Fix-it: I'll find out.

Me: What's the attire?

Mr. Fix-it: I'll find out.

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Two weeks ago.

Me: When is that party?

Mr. Fix-it: I'll find out.

Me: What's the attire?

Mr. Fix-it: I'll find out.

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10 days ago:

Mr. Fix-it: The party's on the 13th.

Me: Great, what's the attire?

Mr. Fix-it: I don't know.

Me: I need to know.

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7 days ago:

Me: What the hell is the attire for the party?

Mr. Fix-it: I'll find out--I'll see if there any pictures from last year.

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December 10

I'm sitting in the parking lot of an outlet mall (Loehmann's, Nordstrom Rack and Marshalls) near my college.

Me (on the phone): What. Is. The. Attire. For. The. Party?

Mr. Fix-it (to another guy): My wife wants to know what type of dress to wear to the party.

Other guy: Just whatever.

Mr. Fix-it: He says whatever.

Me (through clenched teeth): I heard him. I doubt that's true. I NEED to know what kind of dress to get.

Mr. Fix-it: I'll ask Shannon tomorrow.

Me: You do realize we're talking about a party that is happening 3 days from now? I don't think you realize what buying a dress entails. I need to know. NOW.

Mr. Fix-it: Hmmm. The receptionist is still here--do you want to talk to her?

And so I did, and the answer was that the President of the company usually wears a tux and his wife does a long dress, but most of the women do cocktail dresses, and a few even do dressy slacks. Now hard was that?

Comments

[kcinnova]

MEN!!!!

[mrs. g.]

I hope you found something you like.

[Little Miss Sunshine State]

Why women should just be in charge of everything.

[San Diego Momma]

If there is not a picture of what you bought, this whole thing will be very anti-climatic for me.

[Gina]

Holy crap. At that point I would freak out and refuse to attend...

Did you find something nice to wear?

[Nora Bee]

Indeed. Jeff's work party is "festive casual" this year, whatever the heck that is.

[Casdok]

Hope you had enough time to find something?!

[The hen]

Typical!

[Professor J]

This is why I have an unnatural fear of office parties--aren't parties supposed to be fun?

[Mary Alice]

I am impressed, you didn't scream. I would have...and also rolled my eyes.

[Shelley]

Men! They just don't get it, do they?

[Suzanne]

They just don't get it do they? geeze!!!!

[Shelley]

Men! They just don't get it, do they?

[Cheri @ Blog This Mom!]

Frick. That conversation is the same one Tom and I have had repeatedly over the last thirteen years. Very funny, Jenn.

This year I was Girl Scout camping (and cleaning latrines) and missed Tom's office party. You know where I'm going with this, right? What do you think I was wearing on the night of Tom's office party? So? Now post a picture of the dress you wore that night so I can take it apart point by point.

[jenrantsraves]

So ridiculously true! I really think that men should live a lot longer than us, because they don't sweat the details. Any of them!

[gary]

if it was me? my usual jeans and flannel shirt (same outfit I have worn since grunge was big in 1992) ;^)

[gary]

I'd just wear a flannel shirt and jeans, per usual
;^)

[phd in yogurtry]

You are remarkably calm and composed, three days before a party where "the boss wears a tux" Ay yi yiiiiiiiiii! You are better equipped at these things than I would be.

Signed,
Glad my husband doesn't have a boss, or a work party, and works with construction dudes.

[Smalltown Mom]

Aaaargh.

I've been to many of these...a little black dress is always appropriate. But then everyone is wearing black. So I've started wearing red.

Have fun tonight and be sure to post a picture.

[Karen]

Oh this is priceless! I think that every married woman could do a daily column, consisting of pure dialogue with the hubby, and never lack for something to write.

[Manic Mommy]

I've trained Andy to go directly to his paralegal for any and all questions of this type. I've also fielded calls from male co-workers' wives.

I *love* that he asked another guy.

[Green Girl]

Oh the cluelessness of men. At least he had the date a week ahead of time. We're usually a day out--until I instituted the "Calendar Law" which means whatever is written on a day takes precedence NO MATTER WHAT. Only took a few "major occasions missed" before we adhered to the rule.

[Lisa@verybusymomwith4]

I am giggling because we had the exact same conversations except I didn't get to talk to the receptionist. I went with a cocktail black dress--thank goodness for the little black dress--and I stashed two sets of jewelry in the car along with two hand bags--one set very glittery with a sparkling clutch and the other a bit more casual. I made hubby sit in the car with my a few moments while we watched people walk in an opted for the casual because it was a bit laid back ;)

[Annie]

My husband would have me underdressed for every party or event we would attend, if I were ever to take his advice on what he thought would be dressy enough. My husband thinks comfort is somehow related to party attire, and my Carhart boots are never going to show up on "Top 10 party looks this holiday season"

When it isn't MY husband, it's kind of cute. When it's MY husband, I wanna brain him!

[debbie]

~~sigh~~
Yes, men will never change. But...why do we (yes, I'm including myself in this!) keep giving the men in our lives the chance to fix this?? We give them the benefit of the doubt that they will give us the answers we need....when, deep down in our heart of hearts, don't we really know that it would be oh so very much easier to just call the secretary to begin with?!?!?!
It's like a ritual here at our house....the situations are different, but it's all the same!!
Somewhere in another galaxy, humans are being shown on TV programs much like we watch National Geographic..."see how the human female patiently listens to the short answers of the human male. Watch how the eye rolling will soon be followed by a heavy sigh."
Amazing!!

[debbie]

~~sigh~~
Yes, men will never change. But...why do we (yes, I'm including myself in this!) keep giving the men in our lives the chance to fix this?? We give them the benefit of the doubt that they will give us the answers we need....when, deep down in our heart of hearts, don't we really know that it would be oh so very much easier to just call the secretary to begin with?!?!?!
It's like a ritual here at our house....the situations are different, but it's all the same!!
Somewhere in another galaxy, humans are being shown on TV programs much like we watch National Geographic..."see how the human female patiently listens to the short answers of the human male. Watch how the eye rolling will soon be followed by a heavy sigh."
Amazing!!

Hope you found something absolutely gorgeous!!

[debbie]

~~sigh~~
Yes, men will never change. But...why do we (yes, I'm including myself in this!) keep giving the men in our lives the chance to fix this?? We give them the benefit of the doubt that they will give us the answers we need....when, deep down in our heart of hearts, don't we really know that it would be oh so very much easier to just call the secretary to begin with?!?!?!
It's like a ritual here at our house....the situations are different, but it's all the same!!
Somewhere in another galaxy, humans are being shown on TV programs much like we watch National Geographic..."see how the human female patiently listens to the short answers of the human male. Watch how the eye rolling will soon be followed by a heavy sigh."
Amazing!!
Hope you found something pretty!!
Have fun!!

[JCK]

Pictures of the flirty dress please...

[Kimberly]

Too funny! It's just not quite as important to them as it is to us, is it? I'm sure you pulled it off great, even with short notice...we usually do.

[Kimberly]

It's just not as important to them as it is to us, is it? I'm sure you pulled it off great in short notice...we usually do. Great story!

[Suzy]

For the last 25 years I have 'dressed up' wherever I go. I have not once asked a man (unless he was gay) Do I Look Okay? or What's the attire? Why?

Because I just love to be the best dressed anywhere. I've been asked over the years why:
1. Why are you overdressed? Nice version is Because I always look this way.
2. Why are you overdressed? (Usually from some biotch looking to take me down) I say, "I always look good, what happeed to you?

[Suzy]

For the last 25 years I have 'dressed up' wherever I go. I have not once asked a man (unless he was gay) Do I Look Okay? or What's the attire? Why?

Because I just love to be the best dressed anywhere. I've been asked over the years why:
1. Why are you overdressed? Nice version is Because I always look this way.
2. Why are you overdressed? (Usually from some biotch looking to take me down) I say, "I always look good, what happened to you?

[Suzy]

For the last 25 years I have 'dressed up' wherever I go. I have not once asked a man (unless he was gay) Do I Look Okay? or What's the attire? Why?

Because I just love to be the best dressed anywhere. I've been asked over the years:
1. Why are you overdressed? Nice version is Because I always look this way.
2. Why are you overdressed? (Usually from some biotch looking to take me down) I say, "I always look good, what happened to you?

[Laural Out Loud]

Men can be infuriating. The first time I was told, "Whatever will be fine," I actually wore whatever, and will never forget how horribly out of place I felt the whole night long. I never accepted a whatever answer again. But working for the non-whatever answer is going to give me a stroke one of these days.

Glad you got your answer!!

[Angie @ KEEP BELIEVING]

I LOVE THIS POST! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!

KEEP BELIEVING

[Angie @ KEEP BELIEVING]

Forgot to mention that this is probably why Brian's office admin assist. sends an email explaining all details like this and all the guys forward it home immediately.

KEEP BELIEVING

[bipolarlawyercook]

Yep. I get it. I bought my christmas party dress for work a month ago because I was told it's a full on velvet dress add 67 grandkids and puppies affair. Yikes.