If I applied for (and received) a job at Bed, Bath, & Beyond; I wouldn't be offended OR surprised if I heard two members of the 80% female work force compare shop-talk in the guy department. Nor would I expect them to apologize to me for behaving like "normal" girls. I would smile and go on about my business. If I was a man that chose that environment, I would feel pretty presumptuous asking THEM to change pre-existing behavior.

If you poke your head into the girl's locker room, it's not always Jessica Alba stepping out of the shower nude. Sometimes, you see the eye-scorching event of a naked Rosie O'Donnel. It's not her fault that I saw her in her enormity; after all, I poked my head in. Instead of getting angry, the best choice is to accept the situation at face value and turn the other cheek (no pun intended).

What I'm getting at, is while an automotive forums aren't frat-houses, they're generally not an even split between males and females. Most are in the 70/30 range between the male/female ratio, at the very most. Chances are, a woman MIGHT happen upon guys talking about girls. HOT ones. If that's a crime, I'm guilty. The "hood ornament" wasn't nude, distateful, or pornographic. Chances are you'll see worse sights going to Wal-Mart on a Firday night.

Are women welcome and respected? ABSOLUTELY. Jane Bridges, Franc's wife (Cruxpyr), RVXfire 08, golfergal all come to mind as excellent contributors. The forum is a better place because of them.

Might they see men behaving as men on occasion? Most certainly.

Should they immediately take offense? Certainly not.

Unless, of course, it's a direct insult. But that's an entrely different ball of wax than what we're dealing with here.

Cheers,

--John