Salonfilosoof wrote:
Maybe it's because there's less sexual tension (even though we've been intimate once about 10 years ago when she still dated men and I've had a crush on her about three times). Or maybe it's because her thought processes are more similar to those of men than to those of other women. I've wondered about that a lot, but I can't really say for certain what it is that makes her different.
I think you're on to part of it, personally.
Although it's just a bit of conjecture, for the past say 5 years, I've had a little ethos when it comes to dating and getting to know someone.
"You don't
really know your partner until after you've had sex with them."
It's very coarse, and it doesn't give room for situations like you've just described, by it's wording. But in reality, the spirit behind that idea is the same as what you just laid out: Sexual tension can get in the way of some things.
Most men subtly (or profoundly) change themselves in order to get sex. The do it without even realizing it. It's super subtle, but it's there. After sex is out of the way, their purpose for flexing to meet the goal is no longer there like it used to be - that particular need is met. Like holding your breath, you finally exhale and start breathing again after sex has been pushed out of the way. Or a mask that can finally be taken off as the man relaxes, lets down his guard, stops focusing on the goal he's had all that time(whether he acknowledges it or not).
I'm not saying it's a good thing, and I'm not saying it's sensible. But, so far as I've seen, it's usually the case. There's only one kind of straight guy I've met who doesn't fit the bill: Men who get down with a bunch of different women, or are otherwise highly pursued. They have no basis for 'casual' sexual tension unless it purposefully built or otherwise strongly imposed. Basically, sex isn't a big deal anymore because they feel secure in their ability to get, satisfactorily.
Incidentally, that mindset and feeling of sexual security comes off like a heightened degree of honesty when they interact with women, and is a huge part of what draws women to them.
Heh, but unfortunately, down here with the rest of us mortals, it's a bit of a 'Catch-22' to try and get to that level of unconscious honesty...
Women are likely a little different, but I imagine they feel many of the same pressures, and similarly put on certain acts, which ease down after sex.