onday • April 3, 1995
VFhat makes women tick?
(AP)
in a ma;
n edict
ng rai
asketbil
inedict;
feasor, ts
isee
natior,;
skies (|
2 theft,
ireepfe
g by *
md half
i hasp
ithoutb
of NCi
exas f
•Orecor.
Ti'ticah
eld Te:
it a fiei:
ohnsoc
the Lac
4:09 left
a doubt
core at 6:
Jenniff:
^Stopfe
id 63-6:
apped a;
le at tk
player
) makit:
id Can
:d
/in 1
Jereni
all spet f
line;
tant lai
khawfc
lotions:
thing it
collide:
I tars (
her wit
cond pe
.vas tal
Hospita
wks did-
ow tb'
jl, to i
lost t:
David
Hill
Guest
Columnist
W hat makes women tick? Now,
lest you think that I’m some
great authority on women, let
me state that I’m not. My last few rela
tionships are ample evidence of that, but
they are stories for another time. How
ever, my experiences with a recent con
ference have left me with a few insights on this subject.
I had the distinct honor and pleasure of sharing a suite
with six women who are in the same graduate program that
I’m in. The communication student in me could not help but
sit back and watch and listen most of the time.
What I’ve learned is hardly earth-shattering, but it might
come in handy. Let me state that much of what you will read
here is a generalization based on these six women and the
other five or six who we did things with, and-thus it is not the
gospel truth.
Observation #1: Women use different communication
patterns than men do.
I can hear some of you saying “No kidding, Sherlock.” As
one member of the group explained, “Four women can carry
on two separate conversations, and all four of them will know
everything that is being said.”
Several times, I found myself deep in a conversation
with one of them, and I would suddenly have to backtrack
15 minutes or more to figure out what she was talking
about. Among themselves, however, they could keep track
of several seemingly irrelevant tangents at once to main
tain the conversation.
Think of it as conversational multi-tasking. These women
could share and sort an astonishing amount of information.
Although it may seem chaotic, it is a very efficient means of
information exchange.
Observation #2: Women talk about us as much as we talk
about them, if not more so. A number of women in the group —
especially one who will be referred to as “Scam Queen”— could
be heard to make any number of ... oh, let’s call them “apprais
ing” comments about several men who walked past our group.
The main difference between the way men an women
make these comments is that women don’t appear to have the
chromosome that makes men yell these comments out at in
opportune moments.
Observation #3: If women forget a man is listening, he can
learn things he never would have known about otherwise. I’m
not going to go into detail, as even I’m too smart for that.
Let’s just say that I now know more about the mechanics
and logistics of breast implants — and other, more delicate
subjects — than I ever wanted to know.
More than once, the conversation would suddenly get quiet
and someone would say “Oh! Ummm ... we’re not making you
uncomfortable, are we Dave?” I’ve just filed it all under
“Things Man Was Not Meant To Know.”
Observation #4: It’s absolutely amazing what can hap
pen when you speak with a woman as a person and not a
stereotype. There is one member of our group who has always
been viewed as something of an outsider. She’s one of the few
people in our program who isn’t from A&M, and she often
feels somewhat left out.
This woman is also very attractive and has had to deal
with the stereotypes of the “dumb blonde” type. I was lucky
enough to spend some time with her, during which I learned
that she is an engaging conversationalist and an acute ob
server of human nature and behavior.
However, before this time I had always spoken with her on
a surface level. She would respond on a surface level. I would
leave after a shallow conversation.
When I spoke with her as an equal, I was pleasantly sur
prised to learn that she’s got a lot more to offer than a pret
ty face. As I said, she’s got a lot of good insights, and she’s
probably a good bit smarter than I am.
Well, that’s it in a nutshell.
My four insights into the communication styles of women.
As I said before, these are based on a specific group and may
not hold true in every situation.
Each woman, like each man, is an individual. Let’s face it,
men, if we could predict everything they were going to say or
do, all the fun would be gone.
Granted, our blood pressures would be lower, but it would
not be nearly as interesting.
David Hill is a graduate student in
educational administration
maWW'-’- onsuttofoib
wtti staA icoRie^ta!
'AWtiie wo WrAJG
To KlbU.?'
vt'it mu exftiUHG
yoo\
i with' 1
there.'
and L
ran in*
rythiri
m ««!
,ut I«
, play CI
as def
Y0O THllJk Wietf
50 ToWAU /
Mail
I, my
just
varifl
ek of
is mo
dy f°
t As-
- fed-
sally
Sure
;tros
; -d in
:ares
;tros,
I, but
even
r for
,hing
solo-
( reak
stros
hem
and
otb-
tuck
itch
id ol
the
jmm
lore
vvith
free
I my
ful- I
h a s
Think about the history
of injustice in America
On March 28, while reading The Bat
talion, I came across the story of O. G.
McClain. O. G. McClain made good on a
debt that was over 160 years old. On debt
that his Great-great-grandfather had in
curred. I found this a most interesting
story 7 . It demonstrated a strong sense of
family honor and pride. I thought to my
self, “if only America had half a much
Honor as one O.G. McClain ...”
The reason I say this is simple. Amer
ica has a large debt that hasn’t been
paid. In fact, it doesn’t seem like it will
ever pay it back. I’m not talking about
the national debt, this one is a bit more
personal. It is the debt that America
owes the descendants of those slaugh
tered and victimized in the great expan
sion that was the building of America. O.
G. McClain demonstrated a sense of re
sponsibility that is lacking in America.
Now as I watch the news to see the
“backlash” against affirmative action, I
am reminded of what Martin Luther
King Jr. said 30 years ago — that
America had given the African Ameri
cans a check, and when they went to
make due on it, it came back insuffi
cient funds. Once again, America turns
its head away from its responsibilities
and its debt. It does not even acknowl
edge that the debts exist.
I think that until Americans face up
to these debts, they cannot even begin
to think of themselves as a moral and
honorable. We need to recognize that
the playing field isn’t level and that the
statute of limitations on the evils of the
past has not yet come. I think El Malik
El Shabazz — better known to most as
Malcolm X — said it best when he said.
“If one stabs a person nine inches deep
in the back, then pull it out six inches,
it is not progress. There is no progress
until we start the healing process.”
So the next time you feel you are the
victim of reverse racism and discrimina
tion, I want you to imagine living in
slavery and the Jim Crow period as an
African American. Think, who picked
the cotton and tobacco that economical
ly fed America in its infancy.
Think about whose land that cotton
was on. Think how the land found its
way into European hands. Think of
whose blood, sweat and tears went into
building this country. Think, who never
got their due for these duties.
Most of all fellow Texas A&M stu
dents ... I want you to just think.
D.rJ. Harris
Class of ’96
Yell leader candidate
was true A&M 'cadet'
I take it that Matt Barbour is a mem
ber of our Fightin’ Texas Aggie Corps of
Cadets. The Corps has some fine, out
standing qualities such as honor, integri
ty and leadership. Unfortunately, none of
these were shown in the yell leader elec
tions this year. I am highly disappointed
in the Corps for shooting down the most
motivated candidate for the office. Any
person who attended the student body
president forum on March 27, would
have seen who the deserving candidate
for the position was.
Barbour stated “Any cadet who wish
es to run for any political position may
do so” and that “one thing that will nev
er change about the Corps is that we
will always support our own.”
Now we have two Jr. Yell Leaders,
both from the corps, neither of whom
has shown that they truly wanted the
position. One candidate who lost proved
his honor and integrity and leadership
by standing for only what he saw within
the ranks. This man embodies the
essence of the Corps, but the Corps
went for name recognition and shot this
man in the back. Not once did this, as
Barbour so eloquently put it, “... selfish
individual that pouts and whines ...”
say anything derogatory about our
beloved Corps, but every cadet I spoke
to lambasted him as a troublemaker.
I believe that our beloved corps
needs to re-examine its policies on
supporting its own so that next time,
it can bring forth qualified candidates
and not coat-tail riders.
Clayton D. McKinnis
Class of ’96
Explanation of action
of Corps was pitiful
I hope Matt Barbour is not represen
tative of the entire Corps. His sad at
tempt to explain the actions of a victim
of Corps politics is pitiful.
Whether or not he admits it, the yell
leader position is extremely political.
Barbour states, “any cadet that wishes to
run for any political position may do so.”
He then continues with, “I do not see how
this kind of person could call himself an
Aggie or expect others to do so.” This per
son ran for a political position, which
Barbour states is alright, and now is not
an Aggie? I smell irony here.
If only more people would shake up
the system. Maybe then, a cadet who
does not receive the Corps endorsement
will remain an Aggie in the eyes of his
fellow cadets.
Tina Denena
Class of ’94
Accompanied by 2 signatures
The Battalion encourages letters to the editor and will
print as many as space allows. Letters must be 300
words or less and include the author's name, class and
phone number. We reserve the right to edit letters for
length, style, clarity and accuracy. Letters may be sub
mitted in person at 013 Reed McDonald. A valid
student I.D. is required. Letters may also be mailed to:
The Battalion - Mail Call Fax: (409) 845-2647
01 3 Reed McDonald E-mail:
Texas A&M University Batt@tamvm1.tamu.edu
College Station, TX 77843-1111
The Battalion
Mark Smith
Editor in chief
Established in 1893
Editorials appearing in The Battalion reflect the views of
the editorial board. They do not necessarily reflect the
opinions of other Battalion staff members, the Texas A&M
student body, regents, administration, faculty or staff.
Columns, guest columns, cartoons and letters express
the opinions of the authors. Contact the opinion editor
for information on submitting guest columns.
jay Robbins Heather Winch
Senior Managing Managing editor
editor for Business
Sterling Hayman
Opinion editor
Erin Hill
Asst, opinion editor
Editorial
Lower Costs
Legislation designed to reduce insurance
rates for students would be beneficial.
A bill in the Texas legislature may
provide a reward for high school, col
lege and vocational school students
who maintain good grades. This re
ward will take the form of lower au
tomobile insurance rates.
This bill, sponsored by Rep. Tony
Goolsby, R-Dallas, would allov. insur
ance companies to offer discounts on
automobile insurance to
students who are in the
top 20 percent of their
class or who maintain a
B average.
Similar plans have al
ready been implemented
by State (Farm and.
Farmers Insurance
Company in other
states. They have offered discounts
ranging from 5 to 10 percent for stu
dents who maintain good grades.
These companies support a dis
count in Texas, although under this
bill the amount of the discount
would have to be decided by the
state insurance commissioner.
Goolsby stated that the bill will
give students “the opportunity to ex
cel and to reward themselves for
their hard work.” The bill is current
ly in a subcommittee where it will be
studied more closely.
This bill is beneficial for several
reasons. First, it will help lower ex
penses for a population that typicallj'
has high insurance rates. It will also
prompt students to excel in their
scholastics. As it is not uncommon for
parents to help pay for
students’ insurance, it
will also give them a
reason to stay involved
with their children’s
academic progress.
If passed, this bill will
have a major impact on
college students. It offers
a financial boost to recog
nize and reward scholastic excellence.
Undoubtedly, this group often has
trouble with expenses as it is.
Although opponents might be ar
gued that students should strive for
academic excellence regardless of
outside rewards, the fact remains
that auto insurance rates are very
high for everyone under the age of
25. This bill would help alleviate
some of this financial drain.
A&M transportation needs
numerous improvements
O ne might think
that students liv
ing off-campus
have so many options
to get to class that
there would be no rea
son to ever be late.
While it’s true that
there are numerous
transportation options,
those of us who live off-campus know
that none are reliable enough to consis
tently get anyone to class on time.
Option one — the TAMU bus system.
I’m not putting down the buses, but
they’re not all they’re cracked up to be.
Every morning, I arrive at the bus stop
35 to 40 minutes before my class starts.
Five or so minutes later, full bus number
one passes me by. In another 10 minutes,
full bus number two passes me by.
By now, at least two buses going “the
other way” — the dreaded counter-clock
wise route — have passed me by. When
the third “other bus” pulls up, several of
us who have reached our breaking point
hop on, only to see the bus we wanted fly
past us, almost empty. Meanwhile, we
are embarking on a tour of suburban Col
lege Station on the “other bus.”
Option two — driving to campus. This
is a nightmare, to say the least. The clos
est lot to my first class is Zachry lot —
home of one of the less famous of the Ag
gie traditions: the Fightin’ Texas Aggie
Parking Ritual — this is definitely not
followed by a whoop, guys.
For those of you who are unfamiliar
with the parking ritual, let me give you a
brief summary. You must arrive approxi
mately 30 minutes before your class, pick
a row in the lot, park at the end of it and
wait for people to give up a space.
Unless you arrive at 7 a.m., there will
be at least three cars lined up at the end
of each row, on both ends. So if you go
with this option, be sure you have a good
tape in your car — you’ll probably listen
to all of it.
West campus used to be the last resort
of parking until the Wehner building
came along. Now, every business student
and their brother parks in Fish Lot. I
hear the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Parking
Ritual is practiced out there now, too.
There are a few renegade
students who park illegally,
in hopes that PITS won’t
catch them
I do know one guy that
successfully moved his car
from various 30-minute
parking spots all day
without getting ticketed.
His noble victory in the
never-ending battle between students
and PTTS officers will go down in the
annals of Aggie legends.
I thought I had mastered the art of
driving to school when a friend of mine
gave me her Northside parking garage
spot. That was great for about three
days, until it was found out that she did
not live on campus anymore and my con
trol card was invalidated.
The third transportation option is the
one that I fear the most — riding a bike.
Besides the fact that I live pretty far
from campus. I’ve seen too many bicy
clists wipe out on George Bush Drive
amidst morning traffic to ever consider
this option.
Those of you dorm kids who are excit
ed about living off campus next year have
this constant nightmare to look forward
to. Cherish your short walk from the
dorms — it’s an underrated blessing.
One would think that a University of
this size would have this problem worked
out by now.
There are many needed improvements
that I’m willing to pay for. More buses
and more parking garages would be a
welcomed option on my fee statement if it
would mean that I would be able to get to
class on time.
I hear that a new parking garage is in
the planning stages for West campus,
and that’s great for some of you.
But I’m out of here in a year.
At least future generations of Aggies
will possibly go their entire four (or more)
years here without ever having to experi
ence the transportation nightmare.
I hope, for their sake, that the Fightin’
Texas Aggie Parking Ritual is a tradition
that will die with my generation.
Amy Uptmor is a junior
journalism major
Amy
Uptmor
Columnist