Guys and Dolls and Room Service

DEBORAH CROMBIE: (Tales from the Road, Part 2) I'm now approaching four and a half weeks on book tour for TO DWELL IN DARKNESS, out of which I think I've had three days at home without either travel or a book event. This week I've succumbed to the dreaded travel cold--not surprising, I suppose, considering the number of airplanes flown on and hands shaken. Fortunately I've been tucked up in Annapolis, MD, the last few days with my friend Marcia Talley, doing events in the Baltimore/Annapolis area, so have at least had a little home comfort.

Over the last few weeks I've had some great get-togethers and dinners with friends, but I have to admit that after a long day of traveling or an evening event, there is absolutely nothing so appealing as curling up in jammies in a nice hotel room, watching TV, and getting room service.

Honestly, I will swoon for room service. And it doesn't have to be fancy--a good club sandwich or

bowl of soup (and maybe a glass of wine) will do just fine.

But it occurred to me that I never hear MEN talking about getting room service, so I started wondering if this was a gender thing.  Do women have a deeper desire to be pampered? (Maybe because they have non-stop chores at home?????) Or are women less comfortable eating out alone? (I don't mind that a bit, as it happens.)

That prompted me to start taking an unscientific poll, and so far have found only one woman who said she didn't like room service, and only one man who said he did.

Hmmm... So REDS and readers (dolls AND guys!) do you long to have someone bring you dinner--or breakfast--on a tray, then whisk it all away again? 

(It's the closest I'm ever likely to get to magic...)