About how men are socialized and our interactions

For the guys out there, ever noticed how women can naturally get together and chit-chat, talk, share with each other....even with others they don`t know? Ever noticed that such activities are rare and awkward for men? I think that males are socialized away from being able to be comfortable in settings like that. For men in our society, everything is either about competition, independence, proving one`s self, or our interaction must have a specific purpose---watching sports, playing poker, fixing the car, home repairs, even drinking. Guys can get together to DO almost anything, andhave at least a basic level of comfort as well as interact, talk, etc. as long as there is a purpose and an agenda. It can be very difficult for men to get together solely forthe purpose of talking and sharing, and if they do, it`s because there is a specific something we want to talk about, wehave our conversation andthen it`s done and we move our separate ways. Earlier in my blog, I talked about males and friendship. I think that much ofthis same socialization contributes tomen not having close friendships with others. For at least some, it is much easier to just avoid the awkwardness offocusing and being WITH someone, talking and sharing when you have to look them in the eye and really share of yourself and actively listen to another. It can happen when we don`t have to look ateach other, whenwe can focus on thegame, the carborator, orthe powertool at hand rather than look him in the eye and really make a connection. Maybe it`s me and my interest in people, and hearing men`s stories inparticular, buteven with my focus and interest it can still be awkward, at least in the beginning. I really appreciate those very few men in my life that have stepped out of that comfort zone and worked at really hearing me, really sharing of themselves, and set the foundation for what I believe could be really powerful friendships. I would certainly encourage other men, especially those who seek some sort of a masculine platonic friendship in their lives, to step into (and through) the awkwardness and attempt to get toknow another male on a different level than you ever have before.