A Clinical Analysis of Fantasies: The Male Kind

Let me start by saying this is not a piece that gushes on and on about this or that celebrity. I would also like to clarify that although I am a certified 'gusher' in person, I do not think you would want to read 'Oh, Orlando Bloom is sooo sexy...' for a whole page.

Anyway, I read a blog extolling the virtues of some celebrity just like how I described. This 21-year old girl who wrote about living in NYC seemed methodical and practical when she first started her blog. She got a bit sidetracked when she wrote she wanted 'Vigo Mortensen on her bed. Now.', and the comment stood out from her otherwise sane recollections and musings.

And it got me to thinking why women often fall for these celebrity-types, not just celebrities mind you, but even regular joes who seem to exude that celebrity-like aura.

Take for instance my friend Kate. Her exboyfriend was the matinee-idol type: extremely charismatic, well-off, and cute in an Aga Muhlach-sort of way. He would shower her with gifts and attention. He was her ardent texter, email fiend, and phone caller, always inquisitive about her whereabouts and her well-being.

But this guy also did the exact same thing with another girl who worked in the same company where Kate worked.

Kate and the guy had been engaged during the time this girl came into the picture. The whole thing spelled telenovela for me, with matching telephone calls at the middle of the night from Kate, to the breaking of the engagement after a stunning discovery of secret emails between the guy and the 'other woman'.

Do women really go head over heels with celebrity-types?

I read somewhere that women seem to love the 'unattainable' guy, who is often
(a) a celebrity
(b) the motorcycle-loving, tough guy from school/the hood/Kuya's barkada
(c) a married man
(d) the philosophical-idealist whose causes come first, women a mere second
(e) the charming womanizer, and
(f) man of God

The article further commented that the reason for this is because women do not want to get hurt by becoming deeply involved, seeing as they always have an excuse to 'dump' the unattainable guy. Of course, we all know women don't actually MARRY these guys. At least we hope they don't, because of the grief they may cause (yes, including celebrities!). Imagine being involved with

A celebrity
Dates depend on his availability, not yours. You will have to start a novena that your actor boyfriend not get in a soap or else you'll only see him everday when you tune in.
While having a celeb bf gets you in restaurants quick as a flash, you are not guaranteed his company the entire time as fans will interrupt your date every so often to get his autograph.

The motorcycle-loving, tough guy from school/the hood/Kuya's barkada
The excitement he brings wears off as soon as the both of you get into an accident, or when his cariño brutal lands you in the hospital. In addition, leather jackets/pants/skirts are hot and itchy.

A married man
Your family and friends hate you when you are with him. His family and friends hate you when you are with him. Dates are always a full-blown NBI operation, complete with security detail, a secret room/condo key, and furtive phone calls.

The philosophical-idealist whose causes come first, women a mere second
He takes your discussions seriously, and often makes them opportunities to debate. He often quotes the Biblical passage stating women must be submissive to their husbands. Replace the love for traditional ideologies with a love for business and tycoons become a variation of this type. Dates may be fun at the beginning but generally give you headaches by the time the dessert arrives because of too much thinking involved.

The charming womanizer
His ways charmed you and countless other women into submission. He has a penchant for always having a smart, well-thought of answer as to his whereabouts when you call him but the nagging feeling remains. When you go out with him, you can't help but notice anything in a skirt catches his eye.

Man of God
Dates are opportunities to sin. Enough said.

I am inclined to agree with the author, having also experienced being with a man who is a (d) and (e) combo. This may raise a howl of protests but I think that a woman can't do wrong with a nice, responsible guy who loves her dearly, probably more than she loves him. The cliche nice guy finishes first in my book.

But where are the nice guys? And do nice guys translate to book editors, professors, and God-help us, the quintessential accountants?

I have yet to find my Mr. Nice Guy but I live on hope.