Boys. The ones who question why it takes us so long to get ready. Also the ones we do it for.
One of my really good guy friends and I are really open with each other and talk about things that we wouldn’t say to other people. While he is a great guy, I’ve got to say, he’s shallow. But he knows this. A few days ago he informed me that some of my girlfriends are unattractive. When I fought him on this statement, he told me I think they’re cute because I know them and they have good personalities. Boys totally care about looks. So why do they criticize the things we do to look good?
Example 1: On New Year’s Eve, I wasn’t ready when my boyfriend came to pick me up. In fact, he hung out with my family for a good 20 minutes before I was ready to go. We spent the car ride talking about why it takes girls so long to get ready, but the rest of the night he kept telling me how good I looked. I want to know what’s up with these mixed messages. Does he want me to look good or does he want me to get ready fast?
Example 2: My boyfriend says I look beautiful when I wake up in the morning. I think my hair’s a mess and my makeup from the day before is smeared. But when he wanted to come over the other day and I told him no because I was still in my pajamas, he said there was nothing wrong with that and that he wanted to see me. It reminded me of the line (which I happen to find adorable) in the Drake song “Best I Ever Had” that goes: “Sweatpants, hair tied, chillin’ with no makeup on/That’s when you’re the prettiest, I hope that you don’t take it wrong.”
I guess there’s just a balance to find. Boys don’t mind when we’re just comfy around them, but they like to see us put in the effort to get dressed up once in a while, too. Anyway, the effort we make to look good, at least in my case, isn’t just for the people looking at us. I do it for me. It feels good. And it’s fun. Who doesn’t love wearing a great pair of heels?
Comments: 
Tori,
I enjoy the articles that you have written, and I used this one in my classroom. I teach a literacy class in middle school which is mostly made up of students that struggle with reading. I am constantly on the lookout for articles that will relate to them and are well-written. I used this article to spark a discussion on what boys and girls expect from each other. By the way, the guys felt that we “girls” worry too much about our looks…according to 12-14 year old teens. I wonder if this changes as guys get older?
Thank you for helping out with my curriculum for the day. This is a interesting website, and I will continue to subscribe to it in order to find other great articles written for and by teens.