ROOMMATES: Lucia Liljegren replies to Justin Katz

Joe's admission evoked a curious look from the woman at the bar. "So you and your friend are married?"

"Yup."

Her eyebrows lowered as she laughed nervously. "Do you...," she said, as she finished her sentence, she performed a rude pantomime of a certain act.

"Nope." In a tone of practiced nonchalance, he explained that they just hadn't wanted his employment benefits to go to waste while Jane was partially unemployed and working toward her graduate degree. Joe sipped his beer and added, with a broad smile, "And our bedrooms are on opposite ends of the house."

She tittered again, but this time, the lowered eyebrows gave way to a deep blush.

Imagine the same scene if the man had been the one attempting to explain that he was married to his "roommate" Jane for convenience.

Oh, wait. I just imagined it!

The reality of this situation is that most people would disapprove of Joe. Many would consider the woman unladylike. In Justin Katz’s original story, Joe was married to a man. In mine, Joe is married to a woman. Mr. Katz is correct that people make assumptions based on the marital status. If the fictional Joe is
concerned that people will think he has sex with his spouse, he should not marry. If he does decide to enter a marriage of convenience, I assume he thinks he can live with the social confusion and disapproval his choice might entail. I assume he has also chosen to deal with later legal complications should he decide to divorce.
posted by Eve at 12:17 AM | link

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