Like Indy 500, This Argument Goes in Circles

A guy gets into an argument with a woman:

Him: “I see Lyn St. James qualified for the Indy 500.”

Her: “So?”

Him: “So how come she gets to drive against the men?”

Her: “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Him: “How come there’s not a women’s division?”

Her: “A women’s division?”

Him: “Yeah. Like the Boston Marathon.”

Her: “Marathon runners all run together.”

Him: “Yeah. But they always have two winners--one man, one woman.”

Her: “So?”

Him: “So does Lyn St. James automatically win the Indy 500 women’s division?”

Her: “No, it’s just one race.”

Him: “That’s what I mean.”

Her: “Lyn St. James has as much chance to win the Indy 500 as anybody else.”

Him: “Exactly. So why is there a women’s division in a marathon? It’s the same distance. We’re all equal. We all got two legs.”

Her: “But men are physically stronger than women.”

Him: “Oh, come on. Some of those men who win marathons can’t weigh 120 pounds.”

Her: “Men still tend to be stronger. Besides, driving an automobile is a skill.”

Him: “Meaning what?”

Her: “Meaning it’s more fair.”

Him: “So the issue here is equipment?”

Her: “What?”

Him: “You’re saying if men and women are issued the same equipment, there wouldn’t have to be separate divisions?”

Her: “Maybe.”

Him: “Then why is there a men’s golf tour and a women’s golf tour? They both use golf clubs.”

Her: “Maybe because the distances to the greens favor men. They’re too long.”

Him: “Chi Chi Rodriguez is stronger than Laura Davies?”

Her: “I don’t know. Maybe.”

Him: “OK. Then why is there a men’s tennis tour and a women’s tennis tour? They both use rackets. The court is the same size.”

Her: “I told you before. Men are usually stronger.”

Him: “Is that why men have to play five sets, but women only three?”

Her: “Probably.”

Him: “Then how come Lyn St. James has to drive 500 miles?”

Her: “What?”

Him: “How come she doesn’t have to drive an Indy 450?”

Her: “That’s stupid.”

Him: “Do you think women should have equal opportunity in sports or separate divisions?”

Her: “It depends.”

Him: “On what?”

Her: “On the sport.”

Him: “Women swimmers shouldn’t compete at the same distances as men?”

Her: “No. Men are stronger.”

Him: “Women figure skaters should compete separately from the men?”

Her: “That’s just tradition.”

Him: “Women jockeys ride in the Kentucky Derby.”

Her: “Yes.”

Him: “There’s only one Kentucky Derby. Men and women together. Colts and fillies together.”

Her: “Yes.”

Him: “So everybody’s equal.”

Her: “But winning the Derby depends on the horse. Same as winning Indy depends on the car.”

Him: “Does skiing depend on skis?”

Her: “Not necessarily.”

Him: “Then why is there women’s skiing and men’s skiing?”

Her: “Apples and oranges.”

Him: “Should women play baseball?”

Her: “Sure. Why not?”

Him: “Should there be women’s baseball or should women play men’s baseball?”

Her: “A woman should be able to make the major leagues if she’s good enough.”

Him: “But if your argument for tennis and golf is that men are physically stronger, why should women play major league baseball?”

Her: “Because anybody should be entitled to do anything if she’s good enough.”

Him: “Does that apply to men?”

Her: “Naturally.”

Him: “So John McEnroe should be allowed enter the women’s division at the U.S. Open if he doesn’t think he can win the men’s?”

Her: “If he likes.”

Him: “But if John beats Monica Seles in the finals, Monica would still be named the women’s division champion?”

Her: “What?”

Him: “That’s what they do in a marathon. Why is playing tennis different from running?”

Her: “You’re talking nonsense.”

Him: “All I want to know is why Lyn St. James has to defeat everybody to win the Indy 500 when a woman tennis player or marathon runner has to defeat only the other women.”

Her: “Because there’s no women’s Indy 500, that’s why.”

Him: “Well, maybe there should be.”

Her: “Maybe there should.”