Fun_People Archive
12 Nov
... new features have been introduced 

Date: Sun, 12 Nov 95 16:28:52 -0800
From: Peter Langston <psl>
To: Fun_People
Subject: ... new features have been introduced

[It's an interesting exercise to go through this article swapping "boy" and  
"girl,"  "him" and "her," etc. throughout...  -psl]

Forwarded-by: bostic@bsdi.com (Keith Bostic)
Forwarded-by: Todd Kover <kovert@umiacs.UMD.EDU>
Forwarded-by: mpanti <mpanti1@gl.umbc.edu>
Author:  Todd Delap at AMS-BellSouth Date:    5/19/95 8:41 AM

Well, it's been more than 20 years since Consumer's Reports reviewed
girlfriends (CR, Aug 1972).  Since then, styles have changed, new features
have been introduced, and the market for girlfriends has changed
substantially.  So we here at CR decided another report was needed.

As in a car or a computer, you should ask yourself what you need a
girlfriend for before obtaining one.  This will, in large part, dictate the
final product which you should consider.  Do you want an intellectual
companion?  A baby factory?  A hiking partner?  Or just lots of good,
old-fashioned sex? Identifying your needs is the first, and most important,
step in selecting a girlfriend.

The second question which needs to be addressed is, of course, how much you
are able to spend.  This is largely determined by your physical and personal
characteristics -- if you are good looking, have a commanding personality
and a good sense of humor, you will have the resources to obtain a fancy,
high-end model.  On the other hand, if you are ugly, smell bad, and wear
polyester clothes, your choices are more limited.  Keep your purchasing
power in mind when considering your selection.  Although the salesman will
tell you that a girlfriend can be financed, CR does not recommend this
practice; due to inflating expectations, the required monetary outlay will
actually *increase* with time.

Used vs. New?
-------------
A question many girlfriend seekers have to address is whether to get a new
or a used girlfriend.  The answer to this question will, roughly speaking,
be determined by your age, as shown in the following table:

Your age        Used or New
--------        -----------
 1-12 years     (see note A)
13-16 years     New
17-21 years     Used, but not used up
22-35 years     Used heavily
35-60 years     New (see note B)
   60+          (see note A)

Notes:
A: Seek psychiatric help
B: Only "new" if income > $100,000/year.  Otherwise, "divorced".

New girlfriends have the advantage that they have no previous bad
experiences to project on you, but the disadvantage that they will rarely
be old enough to open their own checking account.  Used girlfriends, on the
other hand, may be steady, reliable performers, with the initial problems
worked out, but CR advises that you avoid models which have much more than
average mileage (2.1 SO's/yr). Much greater than the average may be an
indication that the girlfriend was a professional.

Accessories
-----------
Often the potential girlfriends you see on the lot or in a tavern will be
loaded with accessories, as the dealer gets a high markup on such items as
large bosom, long legs, green eyes, etc.  Other accessories will only appeal
to fringe markets, such as models which come pre-equipped with children, or
the ability run 10 miles while chanting sanskrit.  In such cases you should
make a list of accessories desired, tolerated, and disliked.  Note that some
accessories (such as children) can be added later, while others (such as a
large bosom) must be factory installed.

The Test Ride
-------------
When evaluating a girlfriend, a test ride is essential.  The test ride
ritual begins with the so-called "pickup line", which can range from the
simple if dull ("Can I buy you a drink?") to the aggressively hip ("dance
with me or I'll kill you") to the arcane ("You're my Camus comrade, and I
want to leap you, Faith!"). CU rates as Not Acceptable "Smile, you'll look
better."  Once on the test bed, evaluate handling, stability, and
acceleration.  The two questions you want to answer are: how fast, and how
far?  Examine the detailing.  Does the bosom sag? Does the heater warm
adequately, or does she remain cool?

Ordering vs. On-The-Lot
-----------------------
Finding the right girlfriend can be a frustrating experience, and many
potential customers find it hard to get the exact model and accessories
wanted. In such cases ordering from the factory is an option.  Delivery
time, however, is from 14 to 16 years (depending on the state you live in),
and CU questions the usefulness of such a practice: if you have access to
the baby factory, you should reconsider your need for a girlfriend anyway.

Methodology
-----------
Girlfriends were evaluated by a dedicated group of 10 test engineers,
selected to typify the average seeking population.  All tests were performed
at CR's specially constructed test facility, which included a bedroom,
kitchen, and living room, and at a number of bars and taverns surrounding
the facility.  A series of seven tests were run, evaluating each product
according to the following criterion:  intelligence, wit, humor, empathy,
initiative, looks, and performance.

Results
-------
Girlfriends are grouped together in categories by similarity. Within each
category, variation is not statistically significant.

Category	Comments
--------	----------------------------------------------------------
Goddess		This is the woman of your dreams.  She comes equipped with
		all the options you want and none of the ones you don't.
She can argue subtle points of philosophy, give you a stiff game of
racquetball, understand what you mean even if you don't say it, and break
a bed.  No mental or physical hang-ups.  The drawback is that this model is
not actually available.

Goddess-In-Law  This model is similar to the goddess, but comes with
		contractual retainers, such as a psychotic ex-husband, a
spiteful mother, an alcoholic father, and a bratty kid.  This model tends
to generate grey hairs.

Ms. Right	The best all-around choice for most girlfriend situations.
		Has most of the characteristics of the Goddess except
possibly in the wrong size or hair color.  Other than that, an excellent
long-term investment.  Availability is extremely limited but can
occasionally be found with luck.

Babe		This is the flashy, fully-loaded variety with all the
		options.  Unfortunately this model lacks cognitive powers
and empathy.  Showy, and suitable for a parade or for impressing your
friends, but not for your long-term girlfriend needs.

Friend		The model with the most empathy.  Caring and kind but you
		wouldn't be caught dead in it.  Availability is poor to
fair, depending on quality.

Yeah, Her       The Ford Escort of girlfriends.  Widely available, but
		useful as a girlfriend only in a pinch, if no others are
available.  Tends to be spiteful or unreliable, or have a dull finish.

Until you find her, we at CR wish you Happy Hunting!
[=] © 1995 Peter Langston []