Sexism has to do with the social constructs around sex and gender, not the basic biological differences between the sexes. To somehow extrapolate from what I said that I think pregnancy or childbirth itself is or could be sexist is bizarre. But even if I were to accept the argument that the wellbeing of a woman has…

Yes, I know it's not customary, which is why I bring it up—it illustrates very clearly the sexism inherent in this practice, which is the reason many people have a problem with it. If it were simply a way to communicate that one values family, then symbolic permission would be required of both sides.

Ha! Wow. Was there a wedding, and were they there?

Allow me to blow your theory by saying that I value my family enormously, and I have a deep problem with it. I also value my in-laws, and didn't feel the need to ask their permission to marry their son, either.

My now-husband asked me if my dad would expect it, too. I was like "I expect you NOT to do anything of the kind!" but I also made sure to tell my dad that I was the one who put the kibosh on that idea, in case he had been expecting it and felt inclined to blame my husband for not coming through.

It's not at all a harmless ritual, though I know most people practice it harmlessly and mean well by it. But to "ask for her hand" suggests that her hand is owned by her father. As far as including her father—yes, it is partially about that, and that's part of the problem. Families play an important part in the…

Yep, I noticed that too. I think she's just expecting to hear it from some jerk, so is saying it herself, preemptively.

Ha! Awesome. I should really watch this show.

Yes—in the first minute of the video it's especially pronounced on the words "one," "pads," and "eighteen."

OMG, she has it so bad that she may die of it. Is it possible to have a terminal case? She may be the first. I wonder what that actress's normal speaking voice sounds like?

I noticed that, too. I mean, I'm glad they didn't, but I don't think that qualifies as being "nice," particularly. They were just following the law.

Michael Keaton played the same character in Out of Sight and Jackie Brown (since they were both based on Elmore Leonard books). (not biographical, though)

So, she hates Board meetings and bad breath, likes to think about sex, and is frequently distracted at work. So far, scant evidence that she is "not as boring as you think."

If this blog post purported to be a book review, you would have a point, but it doesn't. Slater's article was published as a discrete piece of work in the aforementioned credible publication, and it's appropriate to treat it as such.

S/he's at least someone close enough to him to have "READ his fucking book in it's [sic] entirety," although said book is not available to the general public yet.

You might be overestimating the risk of that happening. Or maybe you have a very unpredictable urine stream—in which case, yes, please do concentrate.

This doesn't make a bit of sense, starting with the premise that peeing requires such super-intense levels of concentration.

I know. Or the other girls. Though maybe they're not interested in him for anything long-term, either.

I like how "He worries that, with so many alternatives available, he won't be willing to wait." As if he's standing somewhere outside himself, watching his own behavior with detached curiosity, unsure what he may or may not be willing to do next.

Are you talking about Dan Slater's new book about dating that isn't scheduled for release until the end of the month?