A doctor is a doctor. Some people prefer a doctor of their own gender, some of another, and some just don't care as long as the doctor is good - or more likely, accepting new patients when your HMO changes. I think it is probably more due to who we are comfortable dealing with that a vast difference in results. As patients we have preconceived notions about male doctors or female doctors. Whether these notions are true or not we will measure them against these perceptions. We bring to the table what we have done in our past. If we came from raising beautiful perennial beds in our back yards we will be bringing experience that grew from that to the design table. If we worked for hardscape construction companies we bring that. If we are out of an environmental design field we'll probably be prone to more native landscapes and be less likely to be planting colorful exotics. The reality is that a lot of people are going to have preconceived notions of what background and what interests you have by your gender or the way you look or dress. Whether that is right or wrong, you should do the best to project where you are right now. If you show up with a pair of long braids, calico gloves, and a sun bonnet, I'm not going to think that your strength is in masonry regardless of your gender. If you look like you just crawled out from fixing a tractor, I'm not going to have confidence in you designing my cottage garden. These don't rule you out or rule you in, but it just makes a longer row for you to hoe to gain a persons confidence.

I have all the sports channels and news channels blocked on my TV. If I need to know about something, someone will tell me. If you need someone to make drapes, Roman shades, slip covers, evening gowns, or casual wear, then I can help you, although it's been a few years since I have made a dress. BTW, men in Los Angeles are NOT from Mars!! Neptune, maybe. That Mars thing about men made no sense to me at all. Stereotypes are seldom valid and generally counterproductive, from my experience. Lars

Hmmm, so I fuss over "girl" AND "guy" stuff. When it came time to have our electrical box upgraded from the old 100 amp service to the 200 amp service...I was the one asking the questions to the electrician. When our electrician was here this weekend to replace an old light switch that sizzled and fried (littlerally...black smoke coming out and everything!), I was right there, asking him about it. And I LOVE that he explained it to me as a human and not as "okay, little lady, here's what's up with it." When we were getting ready to build a house a few years ago...it was me that fussed over the dual zone heating. And me that fussed over the geothermal heat pump. And me that was asking about the relative advantages and disadvantages of Superior Walls vs. standard foundations. My husband came along for the ride on most of that. In our house, in many cases, I do the research (be it "male" or "female" based. Narrow down the choices to what I find acceptable. Present findings to DH and then we work on finding a decision. But, me, heck yeah, I'm going to be SO excited (seriously!) when it comes time for us to have the HVAC people in to replace our old furnace. But, I'm a little odd like that.

Chisue, I disagree that the women in these ads are being made objects. There are other reasons for impotence than low T. The little blue pill and the one that you are talking about are both vasodilators, not testosterone boosters. There are lots of underlying conditions that cause men (and couples) turn to these meds in order to regain a normal, healthy sex life. Cancer, diabetes, many different medications, smoking, age, and high blood pressure are just a few that I know of. We have some dear friends who were desperate for help in this department due a health issue with the husband. She made him see a doctor together and both are as happy as puppies now that the problem has been helped. They are in their mid fifties. I also have a member of my extended family who was successfully treated for testicular cancer; his doctor sat down with him and his wife to have the birds and the bees talk. They're using the one you're talking about, better known for those two outdoor bathtubs. They are in their sixties. If these meds are successful, one of the beneficiaries is the other half, some would say 'the better half '. I doubt that they feel like objects. A good point of contension is that commercials for these and male enhancement products run when youngsters are home and watching.