I am almost CERTAIN you are right, but for us men this is a difficult and complex subject. On the one hand we are CONDITIONED to be understanding, caring, nurturing, ROMANTIC, thoughtful, etc., etc., etc. And then we're ALSO supposed to be the "bad boy" and strong and virile and protective and ....
Further complicating this is that contemporary American women -- esp. mothers -- (and I'm generalizing here, so PLEASE don't everyone reply that they're different; I"m saying on AVERAGE) are often critical and controlling of their husbands' decision-making. "Here, honey, don't do it THAT way, let me show you..." starts very early with the newborn babies and continues long into the marriage.
But I think your point is dead-on. It's the "Oprah-ization" of the American male, and we (the guys) allow it to happen.
I'll make another generalization: I think a lot of us guys' so-called "romantic" gestures ARE wanted by the woman, but only for their female friends' consumption. Getting the flowers at the office on Valentine's Day is for the gals to show the other gals that they're loved.
But I'm being especially cynical today.
Choc., who's always struggled to be 1/3 John Wayne, 1/3 Phil Donahue, and 1/3 George Bailey . . .
