[kupoartist]

Originally Posted by Spank-A-Thon

... it would be dishonourable to address a man as "love" like women here 'Oop North do.

Ah yes, a valid point this one. Social attitudes change between societies. Incidently, I don't think the whole getting called "babe", "darlin'" and the rest applies Do'n South. Probably something to do with us being emotionless southern types ^^

Originally Posted by Spank-A-Thon

But I do think your statement could be construted as insulting to women by suggesting their beauty regime is dictated to them because of men. Maybe some women simply like to feel good for themselves?

Well, I was kind of copying your exact words (sorry about that, imitation is pretty lame ^^) so I suppose I could say that your original statement could have the same implication for men... and to be honest I stand by my original statement. The "femanine need" that some girls have to spend so much time and money is, to me, a product of social conditioning. Or perhaps it's the other way round and therefore these things are humanly innate but repressed in males by society. I guess that's part of my weird idea that the human gender gap is self-constructed and that naturally, men and women have far more in common than society allows them... whatever. It's probably best if I just shut up and let people's eyebrows lower a bit ^^

Originally Posted by Spank-A-Thon

Okay, this is a really far-fetched situation but as the "most powerful man in the world" do I really have power? I may be able to determine the lifestyle of millions of people, but my wife has the power to make me happy - or even worse, make me sad.

I guess the reality is that there are many types of power. I still personally believe that good old fashioned Frankie Goes to Hollywood Brand "Power of Love" has only finite, small scale effects though. It's the kind of stuff in the foundations that has very little effect on the larger picture. Perhaps that just shows a lot about my values or my apparent inability to form relationships or something. Meh.