About stereotyping someone by appearance.... Several decades ago I had a friend named Dierdre who I brought with me to our Friday Night Group. The members of the Friday Night Group gathered for bridge and conversation and were all very high IQ, professional, artistic, and/or otherwise interesting people. None of them could be considered "average joes". They took one look at her, and wondered why I could possibly like her... not quite a dismissal at sight, but a reserve. Dierdre was of Welsh descent, but born in South Africa. Perfect china complexion, blonde curly hair, huge blue eyes, nice shapely figure. Oozing femininity and good manners... the sort of woman who gets written off as "a dumb blonde chick". By the end of the evening, they realized why she was my friend. She had a black belt in one martial art and a brown belt in another. She had a certificate from some Marine Corps marksmanship range (her father was the Commandant of Camp Pendleton so she had access). She could take a volkswagon apart in the dark one handed (well, ok, maybe she needed a lantern). She'd traveled all over the world, spoke knowledgeably about various cultures. She was enthusiastic about playing games or backpacking or otherwise being involved in activities. She did various arts and crafts. She was at least as smart as I am and could argue her points effectively. Under those fluffy golden curls was a brain. Stereotypes? Pah! Carolly