Brief Interviews with Hideous Men
No, today’s post title is not related to my dating misadventures! Thankfully, the phase of dating hideous boys ended in my 20s. Brief Interviews with Hideous Men, written by David Foster Wallace (RIP), was a collection of short stories in which men were interviewed about their attitudes and behaviors with women.
The book was adapted into a film of the same name, directed by The Office actor, John Krasinski. I should have read the book first because I would be interested to see more of how David Foster Wallace drew conclusions about masculinity, what it means to be a man, and fatherhood.
A few of the interviews were meant to be humorous, but some were thought-provoking. The film explores the sometimes “dark” male interactions with women. What struck me most was the kind of emotions that actually drove their behavior. I know some men like to proclaim that they are simple in their wants and needs. I can’t argue that point much, but I would take it further and say that the things that shape a man’s desires, attitudes, and behavior can be quite complex. Would you agree?
Do you think women should put more effort in exploring the character of the men they date? We can figure out what he likes to eat, what makes him get turned on, or what his favorite sports teams are; but what about what drives him? How can a woman get closer to someone if he is emotionally guarded to the point that he doesn’t find it easy to let people in? Should she give up or be patient?
Guys, can you tell when a woman is looking to really get to know you? Are you generally guarded with women that you date in the beginning? Do you find ways to show her who you truly are? How would she know it?
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362 comments Add your comment
lurker
January 26th, 2010
3:38 pm
Thanks for all the congrats…ya’ll know I ain’t been in my seat. How about I forgot to eat lunch. I’m just sooo shocked! I interviewed yesterday, with a panel and actually my manager (located in another state) missed her flight but called this mornin and said “I HEARD ABOUT THE INTERVIEW AND JUST WANTED TO TALK” Few hours later, bam called to make an offer! I told them walking in, I’m going to onl give answers but pop in my head first, that way you I can’t say what I think you want to hear and that way, you’ll hire the real me. Yep, you can borrow a dollar!!!
kimmie
January 26th, 2010
3:40 pm
Thanks Sassy!
Okay Raqi, I’m SOLD!
Melo
January 26th, 2010
3:40 pm
I am along with my husband.
Ok.if u say that…
(no child spt payments to cover for school fees i guees??) hmmmmmmm
Leggs
January 26th, 2010
3:40 pm
I’m going home…nite!
M. (pronouced M dot)
January 26th, 2010
3:41 pm
@Voice of Reason
Is this your guy? http://valuelinkfze.com/luster.htm
Where do you find S curl products anyway? Or does he use Soul Glo? I am asking because I heard the Flashback festival is coming and I am trying to get activator discounts for Johnny Gill, Keith Sweat, and Guy.
DreamsMaterialize
January 26th, 2010
3:43 pm
But wait, M battles back with the “house arrest” body blows, and he lunges forward with the “Chaka” prison punch in the throat.
This is turning out to be one heck of a match up. We’d like to take time out to thank our sponsors “Perms by Chaka” and “Grady Hospital”. Also, make sure you stop by WillieD’s Snack Delights for some mouthwatering
stale, I mean vintage, popcone.kimmie
January 26th, 2010
3:44 pm
What’s another word for stale? Vintage!
You got me rolling over here, Dreams!LOL!!
Professor
January 26th, 2010
3:45 pm
This blog is crazy
Alexander O’ Neal, Easy E, 3 mph, Picadilly, Hooveraround…I feel like I am in my 8th grade homeroom.
On top of that you got Melo liking the way whitebread pay child support, but W8…baby daddy #3 will not be out done he pays for private school, too! smdh and lmao
Willie Dynamite
January 26th, 2010
3:46 pm
Popcone FRESH Popcone got that Fresh Popcone. Get it while it lasts.
THE INFAMOUS DK aka THE KING
January 26th, 2010
3:47 pm
Its been a knock out since I’m happily married, which is probably why I’m never at this blog and just barely in my 30’s
Leggs
January 26th, 2010
3:50 pm
Awww, my boss won’t let me leave. I’ve been at the hotel all night and on the floor early this morning. He usually lets me leave shortly after returning to the office. Now, I have to stay here and watch you guys fight…..WillieD, pls throw me a bag of that popcorn.
Sassy Me....Soldier of Love :-)
January 26th, 2010
3:51 pm
No problem Kimmie..I hope you find one that you like and join….this sounds like it’s gonna be fun.
THE INFAMOUS DK aka THE KING
January 26th, 2010
3:51 pm
Eventhough Voice got the Age all wrong..
Raqi
January 26th, 2010
3:52 pm
Are you people serious? Really?
M. (pronouced M dot)
January 26th, 2010
3:52 pm
@DreamsMaterialize
LOL where is the bar around this piece? I need a victory drink…tanquerary and freca with lime.
@Professor
You know Voice talking greasy because she is in the big city. I know she probably still wear slips where she from.
Professor
January 26th, 2010
3:52 pm
Willie I will take some of that popCONE, and I am going to steal Mo’s last Pepsi…this is good!
Sassy Me....Soldier of Love :-)
January 26th, 2010
3:53 pm
I know she probably still wear slips where she from.
well dayum…
DreamsMaterialize
January 26th, 2010
3:53 pm
Now a “Eazy E”, then “Soul Glo”, wait “Picadilly”…the exchanges are furious and too rapid for me to convey. Jheri Curl juice flying everywhere, but don’t worry. WillieD said that just adds flavor to the FRESH popcone. The price just went up to 1 and a half for $5
Professor
January 26th, 2010
3:55 pm
M.dot y’all are going to have to do a time out or something, because I am LMAOROTFL…
How did this mess start anyway…I feel like we have a sub in my 8th grade science class.
Raqi
January 26th, 2010
3:56 pm
Oh yeah Kimmie, have you seen that new egg cracker. My son wants me to get that for him because he always get a piece of egg shell in his eggs when he makes them.
Leggs
January 26th, 2010
3:56 pm
@SassyM ~ my exact sentiments cuz I occasionally wear them!
VoiceOf Reason
January 26th, 2010
3:56 pm
@ M. (pronouced M dot)
(…..or since she is so young…he look like a broke Easy E.)
Try again Pops, Easy E. died while I was a freshman in high school.
For those keeping count, Pops has now referenced:
Al B. Sure
Chaka Khan
Easy E.
Patra
Alexander O’Neal
That bag o’ tricks sure must be getting empty. Poke around in there and see if you can a joke that would be funny and/or relevant sometime after the Gulf War, also known as ‘That Sissy War’ to you Vietnamers.
Raqi
January 26th, 2010
3:57 pm
Leggs, you mentioned hotel. Do you travel for your job?
DreamsMaterialize
January 26th, 2010
3:59 pm
Prof I’m in charge of Mo’s last Pepsi until she comes back from her hiatus. You can have it though…I only took a couple sips out of it.
VoiceOf Reason
January 26th, 2010
4:00 pm
@ M. (pronouced M dot)
Keith Sweat
Johnny Gill
Guy
…so the answer is No. Nothing left in the bag. Well, at least you’re using this opportunity to stay active I suppose….keeps the soul young.
Raqi
January 26th, 2010
4:03 pm
There is a saying that my sister taught me long time ago.
“If that’s what you need to believe to make yourself feel better about yourself, then go ahead and be my guest. I am all for people being happy.”
THE INFAMOUS DK aka THE KING
January 26th, 2010
4:03 pm
is throwing in the towel….. Its ovah guys Its Ovah.. Yellin like Sharif in menace to Society “It aint Right, It aint right..” After Cousin Harold got Blasted on.
Mr. Lurker ( B.K.A. 007)
January 26th, 2010
4:04 pm
I witness a pimp move from IDK in this piece! Who’s got next?
A pimp nod to the IDK! izzle for shizzle!
THE INFAMOUS DK aka THE KING
January 26th, 2010
4:06 pm
Aww I see Willie has started selling Rib Sandwiches.. And Lurker(BKA) bought one..
kimmie
January 26th, 2010
4:06 pm
Raqi – I have not seen the egg cracker.
Luckily most of these little gadgets I see & have to get are not that costly!LOL!
Leggs
January 26th, 2010
4:08 pm
@Raqi ~ no I don’t travel. The Board that fights over the water wars between Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina hold quarterly meetings at hotels in the airport area. I’m the meeting manager securing hotel space, sleeping rooms, room setup, breakfast and lunch!
@DreamsM ~ taking notes on not putting you in charge of anything. Mo is going to go ape shyt crazy over her last Pepsi!
Melo
January 26th, 2010
4:12 pm
“If that’s what you need to believe to make yourself feel better about yourself, then go ahead and be my guest
Raai..
I dont know what u talking bout there Raqi but now u see an understand how we Mandingos feel when uall think we live in trees,with monkeys coming to dinner eve now and then!
M. (pronouced M dot)
January 26th, 2010
4:12 pm
@VoiceOf Reason
Trick bag….oh yeah I tried to be humble, I tried to be peaceful but now its time for me to caratersize yo…..!!!!
Since you so young, Im sure you like thugs…your husband is a queen, a fake Gucci Mane…Ima call him Hoccie Mane aka Voice’s Man.
Also I tried to give you a break with the S curl, but you seem like the weave type, I bet your weave look like a patin leather jacket.
Leggs
January 26th, 2010
4:13 pm
“…with monkeys coming to dinner eve now and then!”
That did it, I’m on the floor!
DreamsMaterialize
January 26th, 2010
4:15 pm
Leggs are you gonna tell on me? what I need to do to keep you quiet?
M. (pronouced M dot)
January 26th, 2010
4:16 pm
Also Voice, I know you a big nosed bama…your nose probably look like a McNugget with nostrils…
I hope you dont think you beyonce either…who your alter ego, Sasha Fat?
Leggs
January 26th, 2010
4:18 pm
Report to me at 8:22!! That was fun!
VoiceOf Reason
January 26th, 2010
4:20 pm
@ M. (pronouced M dot)
(Since you so young, Im sure you like thugs…your husband is a queen, a fake Gucci Mane…Ima call him Hoccie Mane aka Voice’s Man.)
Wait a minute…. Civil Rights movement….horrible rhymes….old but think he’s young…..I’ve got it!!
M. Dot is that Pants on the Ground dude from American Idol!!!
THE INFAMOUS DK aka THE KING
January 26th, 2010
4:20 pm
Prof and Dreams Mat – Me Chinese Me know Joke Me put pee pee in your Co–Pepsi..
DreamsMaterialize
January 26th, 2010
4:21 pm
Report to me at 8:22!! That’s affirmative. Dreams reporting for duty. I’ll let you know when I’m 3
licksclicks from the rendevous point.Professor
January 26th, 2010
4:22 pm
@DK my cousins used to say that when I was little…Me dont like that joke
M.Dot I have new respect for your joning abilities…remind me not to mess with you! Professor stumping away, because she put her money on cootie and not jessie
Hilarious
January 26th, 2010
4:28 pm
these same set of people are going to be on here tomorrow talking about how mature they are but they cannot rise above spewing insults smdh
I am whatever you say I am
January 26th, 2010
4:29 pm
M dot: http://dirtymartini.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/sexual-chocolate.jpg
Don’t worry, I got you Voice!
I am whatever you say I am
January 26th, 2010
4:31 pm
Lunch on Lurker!!!!
Congrats on promotion.
Can I have a job?
DreamsMaterialize
January 26th, 2010
4:34 pm
I can’t believe it!!! I am Lou Albano-Jimmy Hart-Roddy Piper whaterever you say just hit the ref with a chair, and came of the top ropes Jimmy Supafly Snukka style on M…it’s complete an total chao in here!!!
Leggs
January 26th, 2010
4:35 pm
Yay, I can leave now! Be careful EVERYONE, especially those with the nosebleeds from today’s fight!
M. (pronouced M dot)
January 26th, 2010
4:41 pm
@Voice
Is this yall?
http://marriage.about.com/od/entertainmen1/p/starjones.htm
@Hilarious
I was trying to keep it professional but I had to can some disrespect at the door.
@Professor
Its all good.
@I am whatever you say I am
Oh yeah I had a feeling this some regulars under some other names. I am about to leave, but I got some more roast left for you if you want some with them Wool Knee High Stockings you wearing today.
Melo
January 26th, 2010
4:41 pm
Congrats Lurker!
I am whatever you say I am
January 26th, 2010
4:43 pm
LOL at M dot. It’s all good. LOL
Always have been I am whatever you say I am and always will be I am whatever you say I am
Professor
January 26th, 2010
4:44 pm
…Leggs I am right behind you let me get out of this mess, before the crowd joins in the fight. I am wearing my favorite suit!
M.dot and VOR y’all brought some laughs today!