Sex and the City/Food and the City
I was floored the other night to learn that my pal Maureen had never seen "Sex and the City."
The subject came up when we were discussing the New York dating scene with one of Mo's male friends - a friend who had the audacious opinion (okay - audacious in my book) that SATC had negatively impacted the New York City female dating pool, deluding them into believing that it was "okay" to be single and enjoy their sexuality in their late twenties and into their thirties. When asked, if in fact the SATC-influence was preventing committment-hungry men from establishing meaningful relationships, I got a resounding no. Men still wanted to play around as long as possible. It was simply a case of what's good for the goose is not good for the gander.
Although I vehemently disagreed with his attitude about the show (not to mention his chauvinism), I certainly could understand that the SATC foursome put too much emphasis on expensive footwear and "trophy" men. However, I just couldn't buy into the whole SATC poisoning women's minds and distorting their priorities thing. (Although, admittedly, I do have an appreciation for fine footwear.)
I felt it my duty to present the goods to Mo and let her decide on her own. And so, last Sunday, Maureen and Erica joined me for a casual gals dinner and a screening of the first few episodes of the show.
Dinner? I thought you'd never ask.
We started with caviar. (Yes. You read right.) As I didn't get to use the two precious ounces of Tennessee Paddlefish Caviar that I purchased for New Year's Eve, due to my unfortunate food poisoning incident, this seemed the ideal opportunity to relish in its luscious saltiness. We sipped Prosecco, while we nibbled on Kettle Chips, gloriously topped with creme fraiche and snipped chives.
Then, it was time to turn on the show. The familiar strains of the opening sequence got me excited, but then, watching the first few disjointed episodes, I found myself concerned that Maureen was wondering what all the fuss was about.
We took a break for a 1996 Barbaresco, pizza from Fascati's and bibb lettuce salad, and then returned to our mini-marathon.
Erica and I were much happier with the episodes that came down the pike - but not so Maureen. As we ended our repast with glassfuls of homemade pumpkin ice cream and some lace cookies from Todaro Bros. (actually a the location in one of the night's episodes!), we also chewed over SATC. Mo was surprised about how shallow and vapid the characters appeared. Erica and I found it kind of hard to argue that point. (They are sitcom characters, when you really get down to it) But, we were compelled to point out the larger context - that single women over thirty were rarely, if ever, portrayed on television as anything but objects of sympathy and suspicion. SATC was a boon for a generation of women who were tired of pity-parties and instead were delighted with questions about bar-hopping escapades with the gals.
Mo then shared some remarkable words of wisdom: "Why should you care about what other people think?"
And, at the same time, I agreed with her, I couldn't help but think those words could just as easily come out of Samantha's mouth.
Maybe I was under the influence after all. But, heck, if I still have my gal pals and can enjoy and evening of good talk, good food and good vino, to quote Mo, "Why should you care about what other people think?"