Gender Differences in Reading and Shopping Preferences

A Conversation at the Louvre

Part 1: The Mona Lisa

A: It is great to be on our own again.

M: Yes.

A: Is this the first time you have been to the Louvre?

M: Uh-huh.

A: What is the matter? Is this about the meeting because I agreed with Jacques and not with you?

M: Yes, well, we knew it would not be easy working together, I mean.

A: It is difficult for me as well. But if I don't agree with you...

M: I know, you are the boss.

A: And I have to do my job. I really thought that Jacques' idea was better. And so did Scarlett.

M: It is not a big deal, Allie. I am fine, really. So, who exactly was the Mona Lisa?

A: I am not sure. I think she was the wife of a banker.

M: Is that why she is smiling? Because her husband has a good salary?

A: I also read somewhere that she was a self-portrait of Leonardo.

M: A self-portrait? You are kidding! Now, I don't know much about art, but Leonardo da Vinci was a man, right?

A: Well, it is just a theory. Why do you think she is smiling?

M: Well, in my opinion, she is the managing director of a music company.

A: What?

M: She lives in Paris, she is in love with her marketing director, and she has a lot of fun telling him what to do.

A: That is really unfair!

M: Hey, we are not in the office now - you can't tell me I am wrong. Let's get a coffee.

A: Good idea.

M: Don't turn around!

A: What is it?

M: I have just seen Ben from the office.

A: Where?

M: I said don't look! I don't think he has seen us. Let's get out of here, come on.

Part 2: Gender Differences in Reading and Shopping

Reading Preferences

I think both men and women read novels, but they read different types generally. Men prefer reading science fiction and action novels; women prefer to read novels about feelings, emotions, and personal relationships. I think men find that type of novel pretty boring and prefer something with more action in it. I know that personally I don't really like science fiction, so I am the stereotype, I suppose.

Shopping Preferences

Well, I think generally women like shopping much more than men, and they can spend hours looking around stores, not making any decisions, just looking at things. However, my boyfriend and I are not typical at all because he loves shopping much more than I do! He can spend hours walking around all the stores, whereas I find it very, very boring.