I was just following my intuition

IT seems that one of my recent columns really struck a note with many of you. I was trying to see both sides of the story and being a woman, of course, I see things in a very specific way!

Was I insensitive? Perhaps. Could I have been more understanding of MC's plight? Perhaps. Would I do it differently now I have read your emails and had time to reconsider it? In a word, NO!

Why? Because that was my gut instinct reaction when I read the email from MC and I have learned to always follow my intuition. It's a girl thing, it's a Pisces thing, it's a Scottish thing and sometimes it is good to provoke thought and opinion from our intelligent readers!

Weekend entertainment shows no bounds here at the GulfWeekly and whether you agree with me or not, I hope my columns at least helps you use your little grey cells in a more pink way.

Thanks to all of you who emailed me about this subject. Space does not allow for all your replies and neither does the censor, so here is a selection of the printable ones.

Dear Betsy,

It must be that you are without a husband. If you were my wife I would not allow you to write in a way that can be considered rude and disrespectful to men.

MC's wife appears to be lazy and dirty and does not take care for him or cook well. This is bad. A wife must do all for her husband and not speak badly of him. The man is more important than the wife and she has to obey. You will not find a husband if you behave like that. You will be old, lonely and living alone - no man would want a wife like you.

Mr Yousef.

Dear Betsy,

I was disappointed with your response to MC regarding his unhappy situation at home.

You made the point that he needed to be more sensitive to his wife's depressed state. Fair enough. But I believe you could have been more constructive in offering guidance on how he might draw his wife out, give her the support she needs and effect a positive outcome for both parties.

Instead you belittled him with the MCP reference. Then you took it a step further with your quote from Robert Burns, followed by a cutting remark about his ability to comprehend such weighty prose. Why so bitter?

I think you would do all a better service with a more conciliatory approach. By showing someone deemed to be insensitive, your own sensitivity and tolerance, you could have set an example and perhaps lit the path.

I do enjoy reading your column, but I'm afraid today's effort in my opinion was below your standard.

Regards,

J Lawless.

Dear Betsy,

I think you're really rude on the poor guy who signed MC and, on me as well.

First I didn't understand MCP and I couldn't find a friend to help me. Thank you for your clue.

Secondly, you made me understand that my linguistic skills (even after five years strolling in Ayrshire) are not the only area in my education that is left wanting, as I can't understand 50 per cent of Burns' literature. I feel ashamed and miserable and I will never dare to kiss again.

By the way, do you many Scots able to read understand Robert Burns without modern English sub-titles? I think it is easier to find a Tory in Glasgow than a guy who can read Robbie.

Love,

Pierre.

Dear Betsy,

Well, you really told me off now didn't you? I can see you meant to shock me and I took your points to heart.

I looked up the Burns quotes and see what you mean. I suppose I could learn to cook a bit myself but as long as it never involves haggis.

Thanks,

Betsy.

MC(P).

Dear Betsy,

What a total ***** that guy MC is. The poor woman reminds me of my sister who got stuck with an idiot like him for years.

She took his cruelty and impossible standards for years then one day she just got on a train and never went back. He got the message then, but it was too late. Men like that need to be told it like it is.

Unfortunately, I really think your answer was too intelligent for him to get. Next time more plain speaking please. Most men need that, it's about all they can understand.

Olivia.

Dear Betsy,

I bet my letter won't be the only one you get about the respect of the wife column.

You had me laughing into my sugar puffs. My wife is the opposite, very tidy and neat and it drives me mad. Do you think MC and me could swop places for a week then maybe we would both be more appreciative of what we have?

Anyway, I thought your answer was fun, smart and way over the heads of most of us mere males. Hey MC get in touch if you want to wife swop for a week.

The HunnyMonster.

Dear Betsy,

April fools is not for another few weeks by my reckoning so is this guy a total joke? In the States this guy would soon find himself without a wife.

This lady needs support and love and he needs to get a brain and tolerance transplant. I loved your MCP joke and my wife thought it was great too. I am a tolerant, hard working guy and my wife stays home with our three kids but marriage is about sharing and if this guy is really such a chauvinist then I hope his wife has the courage to tell him where to go and gets herself out of this mess.

Maybe its not easy for her but there are organisations out there that would help her and they could try talking it through with a trusted friend. I hope he gets your tongue in cheek remarks and stops taking himself so seriously. More power to you Betsy we all like to read you each week. Keep us thinking.

C J Arthur.