Oh, I read that. I concluded that a) life is too short to read Times Women Comment pieces (yet I still do so, hating myself...) and b) the guy does admit somewhere near the end that it's more fun to go down t'pub with a British (normal-eating, heavy-drinking) woman. Since Fun eventually beats Beautiful in most matters of the heart, I decided fair was fair, and that it's such a decidedly backhanded compliment to high-maintenance American women, that it's probably meant to be backhanded.
I did think he was missing the point of Bridget Jones though (perhaps deliberately). She definitely doesn't get lucky because she's changed. She gets lucky despite it - or, to put it another way, her neuroses about her appearance (and by extension, those of many normal women) is quite unjustified.
I'd also defend the 'lost two fingers' anecdote. It would be a bit of a surprise to anyone, and he doesn't say "and so I quickly made my excuses and left". I think his point there is that the girl who'd lost two fingers couldn't help it, while horsey girl could. His point is that women can make themselves attractive with sufficient investment, and should do so - not that those who are just ugly should stay in. I don't agree, but I don't think that borders on discrimination on grounds of disability.
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Date: 2008-01-11 01:17 pm (UTC)I did think he was missing the point of Bridget Jones though (perhaps deliberately). She definitely doesn't get lucky because she's changed. She gets lucky despite it - or, to put it another way, her neuroses about her appearance (and by extension, those of many normal women) is quite unjustified.
I'd also defend the 'lost two fingers' anecdote. It would be a bit of a surprise to anyone, and he doesn't say "and so I quickly made my excuses and left". I think his point there is that the girl who'd lost two fingers couldn't help it, while horsey girl could. His point is that women can make themselves attractive with sufficient investment, and should do so - not that those who are just ugly should stay in. I don't agree, but I don't think that borders on discrimination on grounds of disability.