Who do you think takes better care of their eyewear?

**MikeAurelius** · 11-16-2010, 03:49 PM

Men or women?

This isn't a loaded question and providing fuel for the long simmering men vs women debate. I do a LOT of replacement lens work (98% plano) for the filter eyewear I sell, and it seems like better than 80% of the time I'm replacing a GUY'S lenses when I know for a fact that the ladies outnumber the guys better 15 to 1 in the glassworking craft.

Are we just careless?

**Striderswife** · 11-16-2010, 05:18 PM

I'm basing my answer on the cleanliness of glasses I see come through here. It's very seldom a woman has glasses where the nosepads are cemented on with face cheese. I do think more women (I'm saying more instead of lumping all women into this; there's always the exception) treat their glasses as an accessory and want to keep them looking nice.

Okay, as I was sitting here typing this, I had a patient sit down for an adjustment of her glasses. The actual model had worn off, but otherwise these glasss were in fine shape. We figured she'd had them since the early 90's--our electronic records don't go back quite that far. Anyway, I rest my case! :)

**cocoisland58** · 11-16-2010, 06:56 PM

After 30+ years in the business I can tell you that men's glasses are far nastier than women's. In fact dirty, smelly men outnumber dirty smelly women so their glasses follow suit. Men are also less likely to keep their glasses in a case instead of a pocket, are less likely to have multiple pairs so multiplying the wear and tear factor and in general are more accident prone. It's simple genetics I figure.

**Geirskogul** · 11-16-2010, 08:41 PM

I disagree. Men's may be dirtier more of the time, way dirtier, but women's frames are broken more. That's my experience.

**harry a saake** · 11-16-2010, 10:24 PM

One situation i have noticed constantly with women, is they have a habit of coming into the house, walk into the bedroom, toss the glasses on the bed and then sit on them. You almost never get that scenerio from a man. Over 45 years i cant even begin to count the amount of times that same thing has happened. perhaps some of the women can comment, i,m also curious to know how many other opticians have run into this scene.

**DragonLensmanWV** · 11-17-2010, 07:39 AM

I have one lady here that we've been putting new lenses into her old Tura frame (metal) for the last 25 years. The frame looks nearly new and we don't even have to change her nose pads very often, and yes, she did buy the frame from us.
And yes, we had a man bring in his 25-year old frames for us to put new lenses into and I totally refused because they were so filled with eye cheese there was not even any empty space around his nose pads, and it turned out he'd superglued his lenses into the frame after he lost a screw ten years ago. Did I mention it had also been 25 years since his last exam?

**optilady1** · 11-17-2010, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by DragonLensmanWV

I have one lady here that we've been putting new lenses into her old Tura frame (metal) for the last 25 years. The frame looks nearly new and we don't even have to change her nose pads very often, and yes, she did buy the frame from us.
And yes, we had a man bring in his 25-year old frames for us to put new lenses into and I totally refused because they were so filled with eye cheese there was not even any empty space around his nose pads, and it turned out he'd superglued his lenses into the frame after he lost a screw ten years ago. Did I mention it had also been 25 years since his last exam?

OMG!!!!! I didn't know we had the same patient!!! :)
I've found my little old men are the cheesiest. It's only my engineer friends who keep their glasses super clean. Some women are good, but others, specially the little old ladies with buffants and layers of foundation have some nasty frames. I've actually had their frames stick to my hands because of the amount of hairspray on them. Like gag me with a silver spoon, man.

**NeGlassesGirl27** · 11-17-2010, 12:09 PM

I had a lady bring in a pair of glasses she purchased here and requested new nose pads. I have never seen lenses/frames with caked on make-up like this one. I stuck her glasses into the ultrasonic machine for over 10 minutes and they were still absolutely disgusting. I even took one of the nasty toothbrushes we use and it wouldn't come off. She asked if I could take the make-up off in any way. I told her I just tried cleaning them for 15 minutes and it won't come off so it's probably likely she'll have to get new pair (Her pair was only 3 or 4 years old you know)

Between women with disgustingly nasty caked on make-up on their lenses and frames as well as the other nasty junk we see in here, I am surprised I even still have an appetite because it always seems as if they bring them in before lunch. :hammer:

**MarySue** · 11-17-2010, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by harry a saake

One situation i have noticed constantly with women, is they have a habit of coming into the house, walk into the bedroom, toss the glasses on the bed and then sit on them. You almost never get that scenerio from a man.

I had to laugh Harry when I read your reply to the initial question. You know why men never do this? They have spent the evening sitting or rather sleeping in the recliner in front of the tv with the remote glued to their hand. Now the woman has been doing the dishes, sorting laundry, taking care of children, tidying, paying bills, answering emails and phone messages, and then ... at bed time, forgets the glasses are on her face and ends up either putting them on the bed next to herself, or setting them down while still numb from the day - and when the work load has doubled or trippled with sick kids or visiting family - will simply plop down to sleep, completely forgetting the specs.

Now men get that "I'm not sure what happened" look when they hand over their damaged specs, and angle grinders, saws, hammers all mysteriously appear to be potential culprits ... I wonder why that is?

Here's an old english goody

Come all who roam, both old and young, And listen to my song,
I'll tell you of a circumstance, That will not keep you long;
I saw a man the other day, As savage as a Turk,
And he was grumbling at his wife And said she did no work.
So men, if you would happy be, Don't grumble at your wife so;
For no man can imagine What a woman has to do.

He said: You lazy huzzy! Indeed you must confess;
For I'm a-tired of keeping you In all your idleness.
The woman she made answer: I work as hard as you,
And I will just run through the list What a woman has to do.
So men, if you would happy be, Don't grumble at your wife so;
For no man can imagine What a woman has to do.

At six o'clock each morning Off to your work you go;
At eight I rise to light the fire And the bellows for to blow;
I have to set the tea things' And get the kettle boiled;
Besides, you know, I have to wash And dress the youngest child.
So men, if you would happy be, Don't grumble at your wife so;
For no man can imagine What a woman has to do.

I have to shake and make the bed, And sweep the room also,
I have to knit, I have to spin, I have to sit and sew;
Besides, and this you well do know, I always make a rule
To wash and dress the little ones And send them off to school.
So men if you would happy be, Don't grumble at your wife so;
But think of your poor mother, How she put up with you.

**Geirskogul** · 11-17-2010, 08:56 PM

As the first post states, this had better not turn into a sexism thread. That goes for BOTH genders.

**MarySue** · 11-17-2010, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by Geirskogul

As the first post states, this had better not turn into a sexism thread. That goes for BOTH genders.

I love both genders equally, but prefer my husband over others as far as marriage material - is that sexist? I have both sons and daughters, a grandson and a granddaughter and I celebrate their differences.

I don't mean to man bash ... I prefer to ME bash!