10 things I hate about women

8. Selective Memory Syndrome

by Emily Hourican

This is something I chiefly hate about myself, but I suspect I share it with at least some of the Sisters. No, I’m not talking about the ability to only ever remember the times we were right in an argument, or the times we were later vindicated in some dire prediction. Because that kind of selective memory, despite what men might think, is not just a female trait – it’s a general one. No, my kind of selective memory is the curse whereby I can recall the tiniest detail of Brad and Jen’s breakup, exactly what Jennifer Lopez wore to the 2000 Grammys (well, who could forget that..?) and every nuance of Tara Palmer-Tomkinson’s appearance on the Frank Skinner show, but couldn’t tell you anything at all about the 4,000-word article on Dick Cheney I read yesterday, or list in their correct order the presidents of Ireland, even though I was once word-perfect on it. For some tragic reason, my brain has an inexhaustible ability to store trivia, and it does this at the expense of important information. So I never know the capital of Somalia for more than 15 minutes after I’ve been told it (again), but I can’t seem to forget the lyrics of obscure one-hit 1980s wonders (Strawberry Switchblade, anyone?). I may be presuming way too much by assuming that this is a general female trait rather than a tragic personal failing, but something tells me I’m not totally alone here?

Comments

[susan]

who cares about dick cheney or the dead irish presidents? why do you need to remember them ?

[Daniel]

why the hell, is these gloomy times do we need to remind each other of our differences and what exactly we 'hate' about that? i think 10 things i love about women/men would be far more useful. i could easily think of 10 for either side.