Canadian Girls are UPTIGHT!!!

Yes, that’s what I think! I have seen some of the coolest, relaxed, successful women I know turn into crazy girlfriends at the drop of a hat! I am sure I am getting evil looks and some chick has already sent me some hate mail, but read on and hear me out.

I have lived in many places and seen how men and women interact in different countries, cultures and continents and there are a lot of differences. For example:

In Korea: women are usually submissive to men, men can basically do what they want, but men will always hold their girlfriend’s purse when shopping without complaint!

In France: women seem to have this magical power over men, sex is seen as a fun physical activity rather than solely something shared between two committed people in love and yelling matches are often a rule rather than an exception in passionate relationships.

In Nigeria: women do whatever the heck they want, men woo women with crazy acts of romance, and you are considered husband and wife the minute you get pregnant!

But one of my favourite places to see relationships is in Ireland. Women and men have fun relationships and you won’t find the sexes socializing completely separately all the time. Committed relationships are still actively social and a bit of banter is a regular part of all interactions.

(banter: poking fun, joking around, often pointing out habits that are strange or funny)

I see women in Canada being “offended” because of some light hearted ribbing, joking or banter! Why is that? Have we no sense of humour? NO! My thoughts are that it’s because Canadian women are often self conscious, haven’t owned their body/image/values and don’t regularly speak up for themselves unless they are gearing up for a fight.

Here’s my advice: CHILL!!! Have some fun! Joke back! Don’t take yourself so seriously!!

The people having the most fun, are the ones who can take a joke, who KNOW & believe they deserve respect and don’t need to be told every minute of every day, who can laugh at their own expense because....well face it.....it’s FUNNY!!

Try it! Next time your bf jokes about how you have to try on the same dress three times before you decide to wear it out....laugh because (in the words of Homer Simpson), “it’s funny cause it’s true” See the humour in yourself and make a joke back about how you wish he had tried his pants on a few more times so he could see that they don’t work with that shirt!

Don’t agree? Let me know why below!! Lady Ninja over and out!

final thoughts on February 14th

I am Shinobi. The steely-eyed, shuriken tossing, katana yielding ninja. The truth I produce will either liberate or eviscerate. Fear not; for I promise to make the latter painless...

Valentine’s Day has never been for men. I’ve never heard a guy lament about how he’s never received a tool kit or his favourite video game or Blu-ray for a gift on the 14^th of February. Men, by and large, see the day as D-day: better have something above average for the wife/girlfriend or the balls are on a platter.

Every advice column caters to how men should do “this and that” to keep his woman happy and avoid all forms of discontent on the 14^th. The columns tell solo men to head out and meet women on the 14^th (like that will lead to something special) and the Kay jewelers and Stovers chocolate commercials pander to women who crave that type of affirmation. What I will say is: if a woman in an otherwise healthy relationship will end said relationship or squabble with any man regarding his actions on Valentines Day, drop her on her ass cause she wasn’t worth it to begin with.

You know, there is a large contingent of individuals who believe that December 25^th is strictly for merry making and gift giving. They believe that Easter is for celebrating Christ’s resurrection and that the 14^th of February is the ultimate day for the expression of love. To those individuals I say “WRONG!”. If you live your life contrary to the aforementioned individuals you’ll realize that seeing your friends and family and enjoying the time spent with them can be considered a celebration everyday of the week; not just December 25^th. If you’re a person who cherishes your love for God and what he’s done for you then Easter isn’t just a Hallmark holiday celebrated in April and lastly, if you love the person you are with and are vocal about how much they mean to you, the 14^th of February is just another day on the calendar.

So men: on this day that is clearly geared towards woman realize that St Valentine, or Cupid, or the Love Monster or whomever isn’t the determining factor regarding the success or failure of your relationship. It is but another day that will come and go and if your woman cherishes you as you cherish her, she will realize that “that day” means nothing and that more than anything, your actions through the year are the true barometer of your feelings towards her.

Love it or leave it: Valentine's Day

It’s that time of year again, the malls and boutiques are a buzz, everything is on sale, and Hallmark cards are in full effect. You are racking your brain, trying to find that perfect gift for that special someone. No it’s not Christmas…or is it? Well it sure seems like it. But Christmas is over. What it is, is relationship Christmas. Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s Valentines Day.
That day we do something special, for someone whom you care about. But wait…shouldn’t we do that everyday?  (That’s what they say)

If your single, it either gives you a reason to feel even more single, an extra incentive to look for a love connection, or simply a day to hate on anyone else who puts value in this occasion. But first a word on relationship Christmas.....

This day is a BIG deal for a lot of relationships, yet not even a bleep for others.  The reality of it is, socially there is WAY more pressure for guys to come through on this day than there is for women. It’s just the way it is.

 There are many women who use Valentines Day as a way to bolster up extra attention. Not just from their man but from others as well. There are plenty of women out there, who would love nothing more than to brag to their friends on what they got for V-Day. She may say that “it’s (Valentine’s Day) not a big deal” , but truth be told, she would be disappointed if she got absolutely nothing at all. There is also a lot of women who do just appreciate the simple thought, and if you got one fellas, hold on to her.

Single? This is a good time to hook up! after all love is in the air.  A great opportunity to ask that person out, and an opportunity to step it up a bit, for those who normally don’t put any effort into dating.  A word of caution, don’t put to much priority into finding a date on V-Day, you could very well set yourself up for major disappointment if  things don’t work out. If you do make that connection? Be thoughtful, but not TOO thoughtful, you may end up freaking the other person out, or just send the wrong message all together.

For other singles it may just makes you feel even more single. But if you’re feeling lonely that day, then do something  about it. Get together with the girls, have a girls night.  Now I’m not exactly sure what a gathering of single guys does on Valentines day, other than hunt for singe women, but none the less it is a great group activity.

Maybe you a hopeless romantic, maybe you’re not. Maybe you recently went through a break up; maybe you really have no good reason to loathe Valentine’s Day at all.    You are certainly within your rights to do so. But for this moment, examine where your severe displeasure for this day comes from.  Have you had a bad V-Day experience?  Or really no V-Day experiences to speak from at all? Whatever the reason, I’d be willing to bet, that if the object of your affection did something thoughtful and\or romantic for you on Valentines day, you would love it. You may find it “corny”, or “cheesy” but you’d appreciate it all the same. And if it became repetitive you wouldn’t really oppose it at all.

The real thought behind V-Day should REALLY be doing something special for someone who you care about, with out social pressure, in fact with out any pressure at all. Send your mother flowers on V-Day she’ll love it. Do something to brighten someone’s day if the moment catches you, but no one should ever feel the need for expensive gifts or extreme relationship gift opulence for Valentine’s day.

In the end we all LOVE when someone does something nice for us, so whatever you Facebook status is, just enjoy every day like you do  the next, and if someone does something nice for you don’t hate, just appreciate.

Happy Valentine's Day.
Love, Ninja

Would You Date Yourself QUIZ?!?!

Have you ever heard this...

“He was great! We were having a lovely time, the conversation was flowing, he kept me interested and engaged. He’s gorgeous and I find him physically and emotionally attractive, but.....he has hair on his knuckles! How can I date a guy with hair on his knuckles?”

Seriously girl!??!! Or...

"Nope, I don't think Megan Fox is attractive at all. Sure she's smokin hot, has unreal sex appeal and a bangin' body....but she's got thumbs that look like toes! No way man!"

Are you kidding me!?!?!?

What is with people being so damn picky? I have heard the above judgements (in all honesty) and it has been a genuine “deal breaker” for these people! Here’s my question to you....

WOULD YOU DATE YOURSELF?

Take this quiz to see and then check yourself when you start judging others for the tiny “faults” you see as deal breakers.

Would You Date Yourself QUIZ:

Step 1: Asnwer the followinng questions (honestly)

1) What are your three worst physical faults?

2) What are the three worst personality traits you exhibit? Not sure? Ask a friend

3) What are your three biggest “failures” in life?

4) What annoying habits do you have?

5) What do you do when you are nervous? (sweat, laugh, close up, drink too much etc)

Step 2: Create your own "personal ad"

Write out your answers as a if they were a personal ad and read it back to yourself. Do you sound attractive? Desireable? Fun? Or would you find yourself annoying? Gross? Unattractive?

"But, but, but what about my GOOD qualities Lady Ninja?!?!”

I hear you loud and clear.....but do YOU hear yourself?

Are you giving that guy or girl across the first date table the short end of the stick by allowing their “faults” to overshadow their strengths? Are you truly giving yourself a chance to see their good qualities? Are you judging their “faults” but forgetting that they are small parts of the whole?

Would you want to be judged for the same small “faults” or would you want to be known for your kick-ass qualities!!?!?!

Now... are Megan Fox's thumbs or hairy knuckles really THAT bad!?!?