Mike Cox It was a birthday dinner for the Woman Whose Garbage I'm Responsible For. Seven of us around the table enjoying our time together. A young couple stopped to speak to someone at our table.

Introductions were made. Our reason for being there was revealed. The woman complimented Suzy on her youthful appearance and her curly hair. Said hers was just as curly, but she worked long and hard to make it straight. I used to do that, too, was the reply. One of the men questioned the intelligence of such things.

"We do it for you men," was the young lady's reply. I fought the urge to retort; it wasn't my night or my friend. But still, such a crock.

We hear it all the time. "We do it for you men." I think it's time to debunk this myth into the oblivion it deserves. The last person on this sweet Earth a woman dresses for is the significant man in her life.

Maybe for the somewhat effeminate man who designs the Paris and New York fashions women are such slaves to. Maybe for the one working at the hair salon who tells a woman what will look good and how much hubby will like it. Maybe even subconsciously for the father who helped shape her attitudes and prejudices about life.

But her husband? Are you kidding? He's the guy who complains about how many pairs of black shoes she has. He couldn't begin to put together a versatile wardrobe. He's not even sure if what his wife wore last night is old or new.

I challenge any woman to allow her husband to go unaccompanied to the underwear store and pick out a couple of things or let him go to the salon next time and direct your hairdresser. Didn't think so.

One of the things familiarity breeds is contempt. And it doesn't take long for a woman to establish a solid dose of contempt for the person she is romantically and legally tied to. Maybe not in all things, but definitely fashion.

A woman might still need her man to open tight fitting containers. She may still need him to program electronic devices; although in today's world the six- year- old neighbor is more capable. Servicing the car is still primarily the man's job, as is taking the garbage out.

Killing bugs and checking out strange noises are also activities requiring a manly touch, but as more and more action movies feature women in men's roles, wearing sleeveless tops and killing millions of bad guys while spouting wisecracks, those jobs will soon be feminine also.

Let's face it, ladies. After years of hearing his clueless comments about everything your first boyfriend was familiar with and lying awake each night trying to figure how your self esteem could have been so low as to accept this guy's proposal, there is no way you will allow him to have any say about how you present yourself. Help us out. The only thing we want in the relationship is honesty. Admit the truth.