He stuttered, frowned and secretly wondered why I was casting aspersions about his sexuality. Dr Workman believes men don't appraise each other because they're hunters, not brought up to appreciate aesthetic detail. I think the reasons are far more basic. Man-watching is dull compared with scrutinizing other women. At a black tie ball, there's little in a sea of penguin suits to ignite interest, but oh, the joy of pink chiffon, silver sandals, hair piled precariously high and shoes patently designed never to be walked in.
Women are good at absorbing details.
Some anthropologists say its' because, as mothers, we have to discern our offspring's every change of expression and mood. We use those skills in other ways, too. We compare ourselves because we're constantly trying to assess where we stand in society. In the same way as troupes of animals have a pecking order that tells them how to behave, we conform because we don't want to be expelled from the group. On the other hand, we want to stand out, but not so much that we seem odd.