Do men need praise more than women?

mistyblue SG

According to a new workplace poll from Harris Interactive and Adecco (surveying 1,455 workers), men 18-34 are more likely than women to need to extra thanks from the boss in order to be productive. Apparently, guys older than that dont need outside praise that much.

For example, as blogger Kris Dunn points out, its kind of hard to imagine thanking your grandfather for a job well done. (They dont call them the Greatest Generation for nothing.)

I think everyone needs praise whether they think they do or not. Outside validation is good. But I do think maybe men are more externally motivated than women. And I talk only from experience as to what goes on in my house.

Heres a case in point: About a year ago, my husband decided to temporarily redirect his focus from cars and computers and building and inventing to try his hand at cooking. What resulted was a recipe for some really great chili. And thats all that resulted. He didnt move on to casseroles or soufflés or zesty side dishes. In his mind, his work was done. He was the King of Chili.

We now dine on said chili at least once a week. And each time we do, my son and I must carry on like its the first time weve experienced the rapture that only that meal can evoke. He asks every time, Hows the chili? knowing full well that its good and thats what well say.

Now, the other 313 days of the year, I cook. Those are 313 days without comment from the family, except for the occasional global comment like Youre a good cook! But I know Im a good cook so I dont really need the reaffirmation.

Chili Man, on the other hand, must have the compliments.

Maybe this need for external affirmation is a carryover from the days of the hunter/gatherers who were greeted happily by the family when they came home with an animal carcass slung over their shoulders.

Nobody ever thanked the cavewoman for cooking up that meat or keeping the little cave-babies warm. The most she could hope for was not to hear any Aw mom, poached pterodactyl again?

So come clean. Let me have it. I want to hear from both sexes. Do you think, on average, men are more externally motivated than women?

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taken from tech republic. Don't shoot the messenger but in general I agree ...

Ferret SG

hur hur

i know i most yandao. no need praise.

de_middle SG

to me its still $$$ that matters Laughing

bryanw SG

[quote]Originally posted by de_middle:
to me its still $$$ that matters [/quote

and sex

FireIce SG

men need ego to be stroked often lah.

Simple_Bear SG

We need praise at one pt or another...

Mr. Green

<Precious> SG

In general, yes. Bcoz men suffer from ego problems more acutely than women Crying or Very sad

knockonmydoor SG

genetic makeup of men Rolling Eyes

Hello Kitty SG

i knw it.

i dun nit it.

i praise myself.

n i do praise my men.

mistyblue SG

I can identify with the "Chili man" thing .. my dad does that kind of action and expect the family to praise him everytime. When we don't he sulks... :-P

dxdx SG

yup. definitely, without a doubt.

and its not simply praise, its the need to be needed.

kcockicht SG

if u construction worker dig like a dog how u expect me to praise u

qrex SG

i need to be praised once in a while Very Happy ya right.

MyPillowTalks SG

however self praising may lead to over confidence Twisted Evil

kcockicht SG

no wonder so many ppl so weak, need praises need motivation need to dig like a dg Laughing need free luncheon meat need ego bravado my lidido

ElrO SG

When i get praise from a girl, i feel happy ; From a boy i feel proud Razz

StarPuppy SG

i know some of us guys EGO damn BIG

Laughing

browniebaobao SG

to boost their ego lor.

men are more egoistic than women..

but then i noticed male bosses are more generous in complimenting their staff.

spinsugar SG

Well, yes, only because they're used to it.

The man's traditional place is at work, and nothing much else.. and that's one area where they tend to put extra pressure on themselves to perform. Here's where the frequent validation for the work they produce comes into play - whether in the form of actions (ie a raise) or words (praise). The boss is usually male. Males understands male needs.

If and when a man steps out of his traditional place, I would think that :

1 - he would expect even more recognition for taking such a risk (if he fails, his ego takes a blow)

.. and ..

2 - when it comes to cooking, since you can't quite tell if a person enjoyed their meal unless they said so (if u burped, it could just have been from eating too fast.. if u ate fast, you could just be hungry. etc), the "appropriate" validation would be verbal praise coupled with enthusiasm at the dinner table, which leaves the Chef (capital letter intended) no doubt as to where the family stands regarding his repeated (and successful) heroic ventures into the Unknown Woman's World of the Family Kitchen.

*grins*

Hmm. hope I made at least some sense there. Laughing

spinsugar SG

Well, yes, only because they're used to it.

The man's traditional place is at work, and nothing much else.. and that's one area where they tend to put extra pressure on themselves to perform. Here's where the frequent validation for the work they produce comes into play - whether in the form of actions (ie a raise) or words (praise). The boss is usually male. Males understands male needs.

If and when a man steps out of his traditional place, I would think that :

1 - he would expect even more recognition for taking such a risk (if he fails, his ego takes a blow)

.. and ..

2 - when it comes to cooking, since you can't quite tell if a person enjoyed their meal unless they said so (if u burped, it could just have been from eating too fast.. if u ate fast, you could just be hungry. etc), the "appropriate" validation would therefore be verbal praise coupled with reasonable enthusiasm at the dinner table, which leaves the Chef (capital letter intended) no doubt as to where the family stands regarding his repeated (and successful) heroic ventures into the Unknown Woman's World of the Family Kitchen.

*grins*

Hmm. hope I made at least some sense there. Laughing