I've been noticing a somewhat... disturbing trend at work the last few months.

I'd say that a good 75% of the time when an item has been lost by a female, she will have a boyfriend, husband, or otherwise call us about it. Last night three items were lost by women, and not one of them called about it themselves.

What can I say to that except, "What the fuck?"

Is there some new social trend of which I am unaware, that culminates in the erosion of female personal power to a level of helplessness one normally reserves for pets, diaper-wearing infants, and the mentally challenged? Reminds me of that scene from As Good As It Gets where Jack Nicholson is coo-cooing over the dog when he's out in public, and a passing female says, "Awww, I wish someone would treat me like that." And I'm thinking, "What? Like a simpering idiot?"