One of The Lads?

[etali]

Does anyone else here have almost all male friends?

I'm in that situation (my friends are my husbands friends mostly, as a lunatic ex meant I lost touch with a lot of 'my' friends). They're a great bunch, and I get on really well with all of them.

I'm now pretty much one of the lads, and they don't change conversation topics just because there's a girl present or anything - well, except one of them, who has this serious gentleman complex going on, and even though I've known him for years, can't get over it.

Does anyone have any tips for persuading a guy you're not some fragile thing that can't bear to hear certain words or topics? I appreciate the concern, but it's getting annoying now

[britjojo]

Since I came to America, I don't have this issue, but that was my life till three years ago. All apart from the issues with being treated like a wall flower.

I truly was one of the boys. I could drink all but one of them under the table-including in a speed drinking contest. I was a tomboy as a kid and grew up and stayed friends with the same lot-so they knew me as the one who BMXed and fell out of trees.

Sorry I can't help.

[kitsch_k]

well that guy should get the message by now! i mean you're around them all the time he should understand you're not the typical girly girl who cant stand up for herself..maybe if you tell him simply,.,.'hey im good im ok i can handle it' if he offers to open the car door or anything he might get an idea?!

[etali]

Thanks for your responses.

I don't mind the 'treat a lady with respect' thing - I don't expect it, but if someone holds a door for me or offers to carry something I'll graciously accept.

It's more the 'Oi, ladys present' stuff when the conversation goes in certain directions, and the way he says 'You can't treat her like that' when discussions get heated.

I guess I need to just push it a bit more - if insults and table thumping is good enough for the lads, it's good enough for me