I've taken a lot of flack in the comments section of this blog recently. I have the strange duality of being overly-sensitive to the point of handicap and ridicule, while at the same time being yelled at for "insensitive prick-like" articles. So, if anything, I need a better sense of where I stand in this confused world. Thus, I turned to Anna for some insight.

The study Anna was involved with was designed to identify the U.S. cities that are most in tune with the sensitivity girls want -- and men need -- to help them in the mating game. To produce the study, Sperling's "BestPlaces" examined a series of criteria and ranked the cities best equipped to help guys tap into their softer side when it matters most to girls. The criteria included types of magazine subscriptions, abundance of cultural centers such as museums and music venues, types of retail stores and restaurants, and the least amount of "dude-friendly" activities such as fishing and hunting.

Here are the results:

Best Cities for Showing Off Your Sensitive Side:
1. Los Angeles/San Francisco, CA (tied for first)
3. New York, NY
4. Boston, MA
5. Washington, DC
6. Newark, NJ
7. Chicago, IL
8. Santa Ana-Anaheim, CA
9. Miami, FL
10. Cambridge, MA

Worst Cities for Showing Off Your Sensitive Side:
1. Nashville, TN
2. San Antonio, TX
3. Cincinnati, OH
4. Charlotte, NC
5. Kansas City, MO
6. St. Louis, MO
7. Pittsburgh, PA 9. Jacksonville, FL
The AXE Sensitive City Study revealed that the West coast, with many options for a romantic night out, is the best coast for guys to show off their sensitive side. Los Angeles and San Francisco tied for the No. 1 spot, each boasting a large number of top-rated restaurants and cultural centers. In fact, the Golden State came out on top overall, with six of the top 15 spots going to California cities. Despite the famous concept of "southern hospitality," six out of the ten least sensitive cities are in the south. Surprisingly, Nashville fared the worst with a high concentration of very typical guy-related activities like motorcycle and RV enthusiasts, and relatively few cultural centers or date-friendly restaurants.

Echo: Can you give me a definition of a "sensitive man"?
Anna David: A guy who does not, despite what you may think, weep openly. Not a mama's boy. A guy who is not afraid so show his soft side - not afraid of his emotions.

E: Is it possible to be both sensitive and a man's man?
AD: All women are interested in the hard but soft guy. They like it when a man is strong enough to take care of us. Biologically, we're looking for the strongest guy who can take care of us and our future progeny. But we want him to process things more the way we do. Talking about his feelings. He shouldn't deal with these privately. A man doesn't always need to have an answer, but he should be able to talk to a woman about these things. It's a win-win. He's getting in touch with his sensitive side while at the same time helping himself.

E: How does one guy convince another that it's okay to be sensitive?
AD: Men don't go to other men for that. Women and men want different things. They go to their friends when they want an honest answer. But guys don't want to be nurtured by other guys. Men learn that it's okay to be sensitive from their relationships with women.

E: Who are some celebrities who you'd view as being in tune with their sensitivity?
AD: We have a sensitive president. But also, Robert Pattinson, Johnny Depp. With music you have John Mayer and Jason Mraz. Look at pop culture icons like Adam Lambert from American Idol.

E: What has changed over the past few years to make women want a sensitive an over a "macho" man?
AD: Culture is always evolving, but recently the economic shift has made a difference. The macho "go get 'em killer" types are not as appealing to a society that's in a lot of fear. We want to be comforted and not alienated. Our values are changing. We're no longer in the 80s with all their excess. We're getting back to traditional values. Obama's election has a lot to do with this as well.

I've taken a lot away from this study and my interview with Anna. For one, no more articles on Why I Love My Cat and How to Give the Perfect Hug. Yet, when I get home, I'll attempt to turn off the television during Mythbusters when my girlfriend wants to talk about her day, and how she feels, and how what she's feeling should make me feel, and how I feel because of that. And maybe I'll open a few stuck lids off of pickle jars for her - if she's in the kitchen cooking me dinner ... naked.