HILLARY Clinton got a verbal bashing from the papers this week for attempting to "weep her way to the White House" after publicly shedding tears during her battle for the Presidency of the United States.
So far she's turned on the waterworks a number of times: after the polls gave her a good kicking; when her opponent Barack Obama's popularity swelled, and even during a sentimental introduction of her by an old friend.
But each time, after the papers had reported her "cry baby" actions, she's managed to inch forward in the hotly-contended race for power.
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Her (male) rivals weren't happy.
"I don't want her to be crying while we're dealing with Iran, North Korea and Pakistan and all that stuff," grumbled one.
Some feminist columnists turned traitor, announcing that tears were women's most powerful and manipulative weapon, hinting that Hilary's crying was nothing but a grasp for sympathy votes. I disagree.
As a woman, I'm familiar with the feeling of crying at pretty much anything and everything.
But the truth is, sometimes you just can't help it.
I'm not saying it's a good thing -sometimes I hate the fact that I have no control over my tears Especially those that come when you're mid-argument and so angry you're fit to burst, when you get that familiar feeling in your throat feel yourself welling up.
Crying seems to be unavoidable if you've got XX chromosomes, but some are worse than others. I've always comforted myself with the fact that I'm not as bad as my sister, who I once caught crying over an advert for gravy.
No doubt about it, weeping is a girl thing. Men had a go in the '90s, led by Gazza and co, when we all thought we wanted sensitive "new men" who weren't afraid to show their feelings and get in touch with their feminine side. But after a couple of years we realised these sissies in beige cardigans weren't for us after all. We wanted proper beer-drinking, football-loving men back after all. Who didn't cry.
Men feel confused over women's tears.
They just don't get it that crying doesn't necessarily mean you're in pain, upset or angry.
There's a very clever bit in an episode of Friends where Rachel is talking to her boss and says: "You should know that if I cry, they are not tears of anger or because I'm upset, they are just tears of us having this conversation."
Men reserve their tears for basic but honest reasons, including heartbreak, the death of a loved one and sporting defeats.
A crying woman at work, at home or in the street, just makes them feel awkward and, although I hate to admit it, seems to make them willing to do anything if it'll stop the bawling.
But despite the (undeniably useful) fact that a torrent of tears is capable of winning an argument, extracting an apology or gaining sympathy, let's get one thing straight; when women cry we're not being secretly manipulative, we're not trying to get our own way or play on your protective feelings towards our vulnerability - we really just can't help it.
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