Has Sex And The City Misled Us?

While some of the romantic escapades of our favorite Manhattan socialites on Sex & The City led to next-day conversations of, “I can’t believe that would ever happen in real life,” those escapades were actually nothing compared to the unrealistic model of friendship that SATC left many of us longing for.

Every week (or maybe it was every day in their world), we saw Samantha, Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte meeting for coffee, shopping together, or having a girls’ night out. They never missed a beat. They were usually always a phone call away. And, they were there for each other during the hardest times (Charlotte’s infertility, Samantha’s breast cancer, Miranda’s pregnancy, and Carrie’s heartbreaks).

Last night, as I got my weekly dose of the real SATC – not the chopped-up versions riddled with commercials on network TV – on onDemand, I couldn’t help but think (in true Carrie form):

Has SATC implanted unrealistic ideals of friendship into our heads?

Will we ever fit the bill?

Let’s think about this logically. At one point in time, the SATC gals all had full-time jobs – a news columnist, a lawyer, a publicist, and an art connoisseur. Enter one baby, two marriages, lots of relationships, and tons of sex. How on earth did they do it?

I get to see my closest friends on average once every other month, and talk to them once every two weeks. Granted, I work 80 hours a week, have a toddler to contend with and I live 90 minutes away from my closest long-term friend. But, still. Recently, I have found myself longing lately for a nice rectangle of friends who I can spend regular time with – without the extra drama, without the fluff, and with the undeniable support.

Our favorite SATC gals were so cosmopolitan and independent, yet despite being flawed 85% of the time, they had each other’s back. Even when they fought, they came back. And when someone missed a “lunch,” she was held accountable. Am I being unrealistic?

I can hear the outcry from mommy gals all over the world with every keystroke, “Honey, you gave that up with motherhood.” My career gals are giving me figurative arm pats, “It’s the price you pay for success, my dear.” And last but not least, the single, sophisticated gals who are balking, “Why on earth would you want to see the same three people every day?” Okay, I’m just picking fun. But seriously, I’d like to know: Are there women out there who have such quartets? If not, am I crazy for desiring one?

Sigh: In the meantime, I have my onDemand, and I can daydream that I’m the fifth man benchwarmer for the SATC quartet.

I’ll be onDemanding until you all respond (Don't forget to catch the SATC movie coming out May 2008!).

Dr. Ty

www.getalifecampaign.com