Guys Can Read Too By Jesse Smith Nov 1, 2002. About a week ago, the store where I worked put a new copy of Rolling Stone magazine on the shelf. This particular issue was dedicated to the "Women of Rock". Inside, there were a number of interviews with women who have made a mark in rock and pop music. Brittany Spears, Alanis Morisette, Jewel, Pink, Melissa Etherage...The list goes on. On the cover, were three of the artists. One wearing bright clothes, another wearing tight clothes and the third not wearing much. Now, I'm not one to judge a book on its cover. So, one night, I pick up the magazine and read through the interviews. Not bad. Nothing really amazing, but all in all, a good feature. I thought that the interviewers asked pretty basic questions. The artists gave pretty good answers. I got a feel for the ladies via their reactions more than the content of the response. I never thought that making a review, such as I just did, would label me as a pervert in the community. Or at least the female half of the community. Since I did read through the magazine I felt that when people showed an interest, I should spare my two cents. Silly me. My conversations usually went as shown below: Customer: Hmm, Rolling Stone. A new one. Me: Yes it is. I liked the interview they did with (artist name here). Customer: (Looking at cover with scorn.) Yes, I bet you did. Me: Excuse me? Customer: Who wants to look at her with no clothes on? It really was a waste of time after that point to try to defend myself, my morals, the artists' morals or the Rolling Stone magazine in general. Even to point out that they ALL had clothes on was a waste of breath. I mean, jeez, how stuck up, unsexual and judgemental can a person be? "I think that woman should be dressed warmer, so I refuse to respect her." Is that how people think? Is that what being "moral" is? Pardon me if I can pick up a magazine with (follow me here) written words inside and skip past the (follow me here too) cover. Like you've never wanted to wear something revealing, colourful, sexy or tight. It seems, almost, like because I'm a man, people assume I can't read. Well, I've got news for the world. I can read, I can enjoy popular music and I happen to like combining the two. If you show an interest in similar things I'm likely to speak up. Yes, I like the pretty pictures too. Of course I do, but that is not the foundation. Merely the trim on top. So, please, if you pick up a CD or book or magazine and someone comments on it, don't judge them for something you haven't experienced yet. That's like saying "I don't like eggs, even if I haven't tried them yet." Or worse, "I don't like you, because I don't think I will like eggs and you do." On a side note, since I started writing this, a new Rolling Stone has come out. This one with a picture of a naked pop singer, holding a guitar in front of her. I've decided to keep my mouth shut on this one. Not because I won't like it, or the masses won't like it. Rather, because, I have learnt they won't listen.