"It is possible that blondes also prefer gentlemen"
About this Quote
Mamie Van Doren’s playful observation, “It is possible that blondes also prefer gentlemen,” subverts and reimagines a cliché that has circulated in popular culture for decades: the idea that “gentlemen prefer blondes.” This twist on conventional wisdom gently undermines the passive role traditionally given to women in narratives about courtship and desire. Rather than positioning blondes, or women more broadly, as the object of male preference, Van Doren grants them agency to make discerning choices of their own. She shifts the dynamic, suggesting women’s preferences are as significant and valid as men’s.
The use of the word “also” introduces the possibility of reciprocity. Blondes are imagined not simply waiting to be desired but evaluating and choosing their counterparts. The notion of the “gentleman” carries connotations of respectfulness, integrity, and good manners, contrasting sharply with the often superficial or objectifying view of women implied by the original phrase. Van Doren’s approach thus elevates the discourse, recognizing that meaningful relationships are built on mutual choice and respect rather than one-sided attraction.
Her remark can be seen as a subtle critique of traditional gender roles in which men are the pursuers and women the pursued. By flipping the famed phrase, Van Doren gently mocks the reduction of romantic attraction to shallow stereotypes and reminds the audience of women’s complexity and independence in matters of love. The statement may evoke a smile or a moment of thought, inviting listeners to reconsider who holds the power in romantic dynamics.
Ultimately, the quote proposes that the desires and priorities of women should not be presumed or trivialized. Preferences, it suggests, are not defined by gender, and women, including blondes, can and do value qualities like kindness and integrity as much as physical attraction, thereby reclaiming agency in narratives about romance.