Estrogen.

There aren't a lot of women in martial arts, though they're slowly creeping in, at least at my school.

So imagine my delight and surprise to be sitting on the mat after a good roll and having a chat with my training partners.  Two other women, myself, and a young, athletic male.  I cracked up on the inside because for once the tables were turned! I wonder if it dawned on him that he was the only male present - when we started discussing hairstyles and cuts that work for grappling.  For the record, he nodded very sagely, in the way that folks do when they have no idea what folks are talking about or how to contribute. He looked very uncomfortable and darty-eyed, but I was very impressed that he didn't scuttle away when he realized he was surrounded by estrogen. I found it hilarious.

So often I find myself surrounded by guys.  Which is fine - I expect that and enjoy that and I think its awesome that we're able to train very closely together and navigate the weird things that come up between genders. But I almost never find myself surrounded by women.  It was a delightful moment.