Apologies back to you, too, Freda: I only included your name in my defence of my post because you had said "I am the opposite, Jeanie" (I wanted to clarify to you that I do have female friends). My main defence of my statements was directed to the other two people, who appear to have mis-read what I wrote.

I agree with you about your Points (1) and (2) ! I've also experienced both of these phenomena !   LOL !!! I'm going to stick my neck out here (and, like Dianavan, I have a feeling I'm putting myself in the firing line here, good and proper, from a different perspective): The sum and substance of your Rules (1) and (2) is that some men find it very difficult to relate to intelligent women. If a woman is bright, knowledgeable, articulate and witty, she is simply being herself. She isn't "showing off" or "trying to be one better". Unfortunately, some men (and some women) appear to interpret it that way.

Please note: I am talking about "SOME men" and "SOME women." Yes, folks, it's Venn Diagramm Time again !

- jeanie