“Whether it was the company, the food or
the alcohol he drank, he enjoyed himself. Lilijana had some extraordinary
female friends and David delighted in their company. Although it attracted the
ire of the men at these parties, it was harmless fun in David’s eyes. The
ladies did not seem to mind.”
-
Loathe Your Neighbor ch.2
I am about to fly in
the face of danger by suggesting that David Lavender is not a womanizer.
Despite his unabashed interest in, and frequent flirtations with women, he does
not disrespect them. He is brimming with admiration, in awe of the opposite
sex. He has overcome the intimidation he felt as a younger man and figured out
that flirting is fun, and most women are flattered by the attention. David
himself likes the attention. It’s not all about sex. He’s somewhat selfish and
enjoys being the object of desire. He thinks women, likewise appreciate being
complimented and entertained. David thinks he knows where the lines are drawn
and he doesn’t intentionally cross them. He’s not a sleaze. He’s not trying to
offend anyone. He thinks he’s harmless. What do you think?
Sleaze and harmless is in the eye of the beholder. Hugh Hefner believes he is harmless and not even in the same neighborhood as sleaze, yet some would say otherwise! :-) Interesting question and post.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting and taking the time to comment.It is subjective which is why I posed the question. I don't know what to make of HH other than he apears to have suceeded in making his dreams come true.
DeletePersonally, I find the word womanizer offensive. Not because it suggests dishonesty or disrespect on the part of the man, but because it assumes women are too stupid to notice. Do men and women really get something different out of flirting? Why should David be labeled?
ReplyDeleteAs for Roland's example of Hugh Hefner. I don't see him as a womanizer either. He may use his power and money to attract the opposite sex, but he's never portrayed himself as anything but what he is. I wonder how many of the women he's been with can say the same thing? It's not Hugh's fault there are so many superficial women in the world.
VR Barkowski
As always VR, insighftful and sagacious.
ReplyDelete