Size or Laughter?

I read a short article today in a weekly magazine I subscribe to on the Health and Science page, called "The Great Penis Survey". This article states that researchers conducted an analysis of 50 penis studies from around the world in order to determine average penis size, circumference, and satisfaction with penis size from both the male and female perspectives. The crux of the article is that size is not that important to women (85% are satisfied with their partner's size), but that 55% of men still consider penis size a major worry.

The article goes on to quote the study, saying that "The issue of attractiveness for women is complex, but most data suggest that penile size is much lower down the list of priorities for women than such issues as a man's personality and external grooming." I'm not shocked, considering I would never be interested in seeing what an unkempt man with no personality had in his pants. I'm guessing most women would agree with me on that.

This theory of what is "attractive" to women is in line with what a guy told me recently. He claims that the key to getting a pretty woman (or any woman, really) to pay attention to you, is to make her laugh. This works, he says, for any guy, whether he's good-looking and in shape, or not. I've been thinking about this theory and there is definitely some truth to it. (Although it's not foolproof -I'm not going to sleep with George Carlin or Lewis Black any time soon, while God knows they've both made me laugh plenty.) I feel safe in saying that women do like to laugh, and it is fun and enjoyable to be around a man who can bring a smile to your face and make your belly hurt from laughter. I just think the reason women may love a man who makes them laugh is more than that.

I may get a bit tenuous in my reasoning here, but bear with me. Women today have a lot of responsibility. We have careers to nurture, we own our own homes, care for pets, meet or exceed our share of family responsibilities, maintain friendships over time and distance, take care of ourselves physically, and stay informed and knowledgeable about the world and, don't forget, the latest style in dresses and handbags.

What I am getting at is how taxing and stressful life can be for the average woman. So while she may not need a man to support her as in decades past, now, more than ever, a woman needs someone to remind her not to take herself, others, or life, too seriously. Life is, after all, something to enjoy since we only get one shot at it. A man who can make a woman laugh allows her to stop worrying for a while about the "To Do" and shopping lists, the stresses at work, the chores to tend to at home, and the phone calls she should have returned by now. He helps her to relax, enjoy herself and him, and to enjoy the moment before it gets subsumed in all there is to do.

I don't know if this is how other women view the value of a man who makes them laugh, but I do. I've met a man who makes me laugh constantly. I'm typically a grump in the morning, especially on a Monday and, especially before my tea and oatmeal. But this morning I was actually giggling before my head even rose off of the pillow thanks to the man laying next to me. He had me laughing and smiling as soon as my eyes and ears were open. The value of the laughter he brings into my life is immeasurable, because it is worth so much more to me than just the smiling and chuckling you see on the surface. He, and the laughter he creates, keeps me centered and focused on what's most important in life. He also happens to be extremely good-looking, smart, fun, caring, and generous. For those reasons I may not be the best judge of whether even ugly guys who make women laugh get the girl, but I figured I'd share my theory on it anyway. And since my guy is not one of those who needs to worry about penis size, I guess that doesn't hurt either.