Genetic secrets revealed!

NOTE: There's a lot of buzz these days about the mapping of the human genome. The pros and cons of this information, the potential to flag disease markers and other possible outcomes are way too important to tackle in this blog. But you don't need a geneticist to know that some traits are usually, well, genetic. In fact even if you were blindfolded, odds are you could spot the XX or XY below.

XX or XY?

Photo: AlyssssIA ( yes that's really what it said)

Only your geneticist knows for sure. 

- The desire to acquire multiple pairs of athletic shoes.

- The desire to acquire multiple pairs of unwearable shoes.

- Keeping pictures of friends and family on your phone.

-  Keeping pictures of large steaks you have eaten on your phone.

-  A powerful, magnetic attraction to The Three Stooges, accompanied by beer.

 - A powerful, magnetic attraction to any movie that makes you cry, accompanied by wine.

-  Beavis and Butthead

- Sarah Jessica Parker

- The need to wait for others to leave a public bathroom before "going." (And the need to hurry if you hear someone sitting silently in the stall next to you.)

Photo: Marco Dimas

- The need to carry on an uninterrupted conversation, complete with sound effects, while "going."

- Belching loudly (at any age.)

- Belching loudly (during the "college years.")

- The intuitive ability to operate any electronic device anywhere, at any time, at any age.

- The intuitive ability to know what "semi-formal dress" means anywhere, at any time, at any age.

- The toilet seat is a big deal.

- What's the big deal about the toilet seat?

Of course, every rule has the exception. That's what makes us interesting. For example this XX was openly horrified years ago at the movie "A Walk in the Clouds" along with my XY companions, while the other XX in our group bravely admitted enjoying it. I really can't weigh in on "The English Patient" because I slept through it. Five times. (A fact I was quite concerned about until Elaine redeemed me on Seinfeld by hating it.) Yes, I laughed (at parts) of Jackass. Like the dreaded hardware store scene. (Nervous laughter? Maybe.)

I know guys who can dress better than me (don't trip over that bar) and women who own band saws. We're all different. And that's a good thing.