Tears for some, but not for others...

Lately we’ve seen men open up and get familiar with their softer side – literally. There’s a new market for men’s skincare and it’s perfectly natural these days to hear a man’s concern about his waistline.

There’s been tears too. And not just on the pitch. Anything from break-ups to bad days at the office are getting the waterworks started.

Don’t get me wrong, I think women love it. We’re embracing it and seeing our fellow counterparts as deep, emotional, in tune human beings. In fact, some women see it as a major turn on.

So now they've reached our level why are they dissing us so?

The other day after nature intervened with that-time-of-the month, I found myself having my first official ‘office cry’. The stiff upper lip I had adopted in becoming the ‘serious career woman’ was swiftly eroded in one foul swoop by a conference call with the client.

And so it was with wet cheeks of despair I conceded the death of my ‘career woman’ alter-ego. And so it was too, that 'men to the rescue' flocked around. My flapping wings stilled by the heroic efforts of the soothing masculine touch. How men love a damsel in distress.

After my rescue, I was left in a brilliant haze of utopian living. But not for long.

Another woman cried that day and it was my admirable heroes that commented on how her tears were merely symbolic weapons of manipulation. A cunning plan to get them to succumb to her demands.

In their eyes, her tears were not worthy.

Why is it okay for some woman to cry and others not. What does a woman have to do to validate her tears?

I have of course, very typically over-analysed this. My flimsy hypothesis wonders if the petite woman has more leeway in this emotional fairground. Small in stature – hence not a threat, but in constant need of looking after should she fall in a metaphorical pit-hole of life.

Or, is it that the woman in a position of control should be made of stone, and therefore have lost the ability to feel. This governs she may shed no more tears. Is it simply her lot in life to deal with?

Whatever it is, you would think that the open arms we extend to a crying man should be justifiably offered to all women of size and position. Come on, give us a break. At the very least offer us a tissue.