Who loves Amal?

I get the impression that some COH's think there is a lot of support for Amal on this forum.  I thought there were a few strong supports, a few haters and a bunch of posters with mixed feelings.  Decided to do a poll to get the lay of the land. I think I set it up so you can pick more than one option.

I can't vote. I want to say that she must be a wonderful person because George chose her, but I think he's still in the infatuated "anything my baby wants" stage, and I'm not sure his usual judgment is in the 'on' position. And she's sent my antennae up too many times, without anything specific to go on, for me to completely accept her as the genuine article.

Sure, nobody who knows her or who cares about George has said a negative word about her. But that could be true of me, too, and I know I can be a butthole.

i feel like this is just a completely unnecessary poll, sorry. There doesn't need to be consensus about her. She's a person, not a movie or a piece of clothing.

kat19 wrote:i feel like this is just a completely unnecessary poll, sorry. There doesn't need to be consensus about her. She's a person, not a movie or a piece of clothing.

Are any of the polls completely necessary?  I was not looking for consensus--know that is not possible. But I see comments like "so many posters are pro-amal" or complaints of being attackef for criticizing her,I wondered if that is indeed the case or whether it's just a few posters who post often on either side.  I think there have been polls about people in the past--including George.

fava wrote:

kat19 wrote:i feel like this is just a completely unnecessary poll, sorry. There doesn't need to be consensus about her. She's a person, not a movie or a piece of clothing.

Are any of the polls completely necessary?  I was not looking for consensus--know that is not possible. But I see comments like "so many posters are pro-amal" or complaints of being attackef for criticizing her,I wondered if that is indeed the case or whether it's just a few posters who post often on either side.  I think there have been polls about people in the past--including George.

Well obviously you can make a poll about whatever you like. 

I feel like there's a hand full of posters on both sides who do post often, but there are a lot of people who lurk on the site as well, who don't post often but might vote in a poll anyway so that kind of skews the results if you want to know if regular posters tend to favour one side in particular.

fava wrote:

kat19 wrote:i feel like this is just a completely unnecessary poll, sorry. There doesn't need to be consensus about her. She's a person, not a movie or a piece of clothing.

Are any of the polls completely necessary?  I was not looking for consensus--know that is not possible. But I see comments like "so many posters are pro-amal" or complaints of being attackef for criticizing her,I wondered if that is indeed the case or whether it's just a few posters who post often on either side.  I think there have been polls about people in the past--including George.

I don't think this poll will give you the right answer. Do you want to know who loves Amal or about the Posters who comment on Amal? This is not clear to me when I read your post.

I can't vote as well. I think we just have to accept it how it is. Some like her, some don't, some are not sure and this will be reflected in many threads in the past, present and future.

I think it a good idea.  Many here feel overwhelmed by "new" poster's.
this is good IF fair.

I can't vote one way or the other. I have days where I like her well enough and days where I don't. Sometimes there's a reason, sometimes there isn't -just a gut feeling. Today I could probably check off almost all of the boxes in your poll, so I don't think my vote would tell you very much.

Alisonfan wrote:I think it a good idea.  Many here feel overwhelmed by "new" poster's.
this is good IF fair.

New posters are not a bad thing. This is an online messageboard, not an exclusive club.

I am not sure about this. I have never met her and from what I see in the media and all her pictures, she seems like she enjoys the spotlight and loves the camera and I feel she wants to be the star of this marriage and george in the background. she seems always first but I know she is not. If it was not for George she would never be in the media and no one would even care so I think my opinion is sometimes I like her and most of the time I do not. just my opinion. bg

I don't understand why people can't vote? This is just an opinion poll, not a definitive authority on whether or not we like her. Nobody is going to change their mind about Amal after seeing the results.

Katiedot wrote:I don't understand why people can't vote?  This is just an opinion poll, not a definitive authority on whether or not we like her.  Nobody is going to change their mind about Amal after seeing the results.

   Exactly. Nothing wrong with this poll. Instead of saying "can't vote", if u really have feelings one way or the other, voting will give a general idea of everybody's opinion. Of course, if u're not sure and neutral, then no need to vote.

Katie - I don't know about anyone else, but I can't vote in this poll because I can't make up my mind about her. Every day my opinion of her changes and there's no logical reason for why I don't like her. Right now I could check off any of the first 7 options. Tomorrow maybe I'll choose the last option.

im not voting because as far as i am concerned this is a George Clooney site so any poll i take part in should be about him and not his wife

I don't vote as I don't see the point to judge somebody to like or don't like.  It's not like we vote what was George best movie or "who will be George best man". 

Also I think we repeat ourselves with "like and don't like Amal". We have a thread already below.

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But of course this is just me. Any other feel free to vote.

My interpretation is that the poll is more for the reasons than the actual stance.

And we decide whether we like or dislike people all the time. It's human nature, and nothing to get judgey about.

I'm with the folks whose reaction to Amal is a game day decision.

I did vote but don't think it truly matters George loves Amal and that is all that really matters we really don't know her that well.

Way2Old4Dis wrote:My interpretation is that the poll is more for the reasons than the actual stance.

And we decide whether we like or dislike people all the time. It's human nature, and nothing to get judgey about.

I'm with the folks whose reaction to Amal is a game day decision.

True, but it is our responsibility how we share it. it is not about judging other People, this is normal and we do it everyday and we share it in all the threads here too, it is about how you do it.

Imagine you go into your office and your co workers start a poll about you why they like or dislike you. It is different if you talk to a friend / co worker about it. if you talk to someone you TALK. But if you tick a box about someone that is too easy to judge someone.....

But as I said, this is just me. I'm sure others enjoy the poll

So, so far:

3% don't care about her either way
10% haven't made an opinion on her yet
33% are variously liking her
57% are in various forms of not warming to her

That adds up to 103% somehow. Oh well. Time for coffee!

Yeah, I did that math yesterday, but I wasn't going to say anything.

Maybe it's because Amal is so superlative in everything that she even exceeds the limits of finite percentages. :-)

Anyway, it's probably not all her that causes me the misgivings. It's the lore. I don't buy the story, hate that anyone thinks it's necessary, and don't believe for one minute that she played 'hard to get.' Met and married in a year is not 'hard.'

It's just as likely, to my thinking, that George was the one playing aloof and uncommitted when he told the world that he hadn't met the love of his life yet, at a time they were apparently seeing each other.

But what do I know? Nothing.

They look like they're enjoying life. If George is happy, then I'm happy. If it's because of Amal, I give her props. Today, at least.

I agree with everything you said Way2 .... in your LAST paragraph!

Well we all know one thing, the way to Georges heart is not thru his stomach since she doesn't cook.   I wonder which route she took.

Cece42 wrote:Well we all know one thing, the way to Georges heart is not thru his stomach since she doesn't cook.   I wonder which route she took.

It's a question a lot of us want to know.  I'm not saying that she purposely enticed him but I would love to know what the initial attraction was for George. There are many qualities about her that could have gotten his attention but what was the "wow" factor for him.   These are mysteries that we may not know for a long time or may never  know if the two of them prefer not to talk about their private lives together.

The wow factor was probably that she didn't really have any time for him.  For a man who is used to women making fools of themselves and tripping over themselves to be around him but she didn't was probably too intriguing to pass up.

Plus she has that lovely British accent.  I tell ya, put me near a Brit or a Scottish guy (well at least one that I can actually understand) and it's so pleasing to the ear they way they say their words.  Probably found the same thing with George.  

JMO and conjecturing...

Donnamarie wrote:I agree with everything you said Way2 .... in your LAST paragraph!

Not the third?

Way2Old4Dis wrote:

Donnamarie wrote:I agree with everything you said Way2 .... in your LAST paragraph!

Not the third?

Hahaha Way2.  Is that a trick question?

Not a trick. I messed it up; did it without looking at how many paragraphs I'd actually written.

It should have been "the fifth."

See? I know nothing. Can't even pull off a joke without flubbing it.

Way2 that's what happens when you try to watch b ball and post at the same time.  

Ha!  My response would have been the same.

LornaDoone wrote:The wow factor was probably that she didn't really have any time for him.  For a man who is used to women making fools of themselves and tripping over themselves to be around him but she didn't was probably too intriguing to pass up.

Plus she has that lovely British accent.  I tell ya, put me near a Brit or a Scottish guy (well at least one that I can actually understand) and it's so pleasing to the ear they way they say their words.  Probably found the same thing with George.  

JMO and conjecturing...

Her genuinely not having the time for him or being immediately available could have been a real turn on for George.  George once said in an interview that he likes to be the one to pursue someone he's interested in. He likes to be the hunter which I thought was a funny thing for him to say.  Of course I'm paraphrasing but you probably read that too.

But what else?  Her accent I'm sure was attractive to him but was it her brilliant mind or her sense of humor or her skinny, long legs which he has an affinity for.  Maybe all of it.  Im so curious to know.

I'd guess all of it Donnamarie. But as you say it's a 
private thing really. 
Sometimes we don't know just what attracts us
to a person....and sometimes it's obvious. Lol

Lorna...I love the Welsh accent of people from 
South Wales. I'll try and find Rhod Gilbert on
you tube. It'll be in the Kitchen Chat eventually.
for you to judge.

Here's my list in no particular order....not interested/too busy,  her knowledge and work including all the things that interest him internationally, thin with long long legs and long long hair, large brown eyes, no nonsense approach, sense of humour and discretion, a world miles away from his, (was once quoted as saying to marry another actress would never work) which I suspect in his eyes is way more important than his, like minds,..... and of course that old black magic called 'alchemy'.

I also think that he thought that there was no way she would want to marry him.....(see John Lambros' 'The Boys' speech from the wedding)

He was the hunter....and quite possibly now he has to cool his heels sometimes and wait for her

If you're a man feeling your age and are in a period in which you think maybe you've lost your mojo, an Amal Alamuddin is the perfect type to make you feel you've still got it.

I'll get killed for that. But wait, there's more.

You're a movie director who has an eye for raw looks that can be made into more. So you take a decently attractive woman and help her become stunning. You create the vey prize you've supposedly won.

Just felt like playing Devil's Advocate. (Which is probably the most fun job at the Vatican, IMO.)

PAN, you're most likely right on all counts.  It just wasn't one thing.  She definitely was a challenge for him.  I think you bear that out in your comments.  And your last paragraph on him waiting for her I suspect that's really true.  But  obviously he appreciates the importance and highly respects her job.  In some ways from the comments he has made I think he sees her work as more important and consequential than his work.  I wouldn't agree but I do believe he may feel that way.

Way2, not going to attack you.  I think you're a really smart woman with smart and very articulate opinions.  You always make good arguments here.  And you play Devil's Advocate very well but I think you're showing your true hand so to speak.  I think you got this George/Amal thing all wrong.  But it's always a hoot (for me) to read how you really feel about this relationship.

Way2-- do you think he enjoys being the one who "discovered" her (to a wider world beyond the legal)?  Is there a little bit of " see, I can attact someone who is smart, has gravitas and is unlikely to appear on a reality show" (a la last 3 relationships)? "Hey, world--see I am a man of substance?" 

Plus, the hair.  He often goes for brunettes and have to admit that hair is to die for.

Donnamarie wrote:
... Way2,  I think you got this George/Amal thing all wrong.  But it's always a hoot (for me) to read how you really feel about this relationship.

Oh, cool. Can you tell me how I feel? 'Cause I really don't know. :-)

Way2Old.....your last sentence about being "Devil's Advocate 
in the Vatican" made me smile. 

Go on.....apply for the job and write a blog or book
about it all !

fava wrote:Way2-- do you think he enjoys being the one who "discovered" her (to a wider world beyond the legal)?  Is there a little bit of " see, I can attact someone who is smart, has gravitas and is unlikely to appear on a reality show" (a la last 3 relationships)? "Hey, world--see I am a man of substance?" 

Plus, the hair.  He often goes for brunettes and have to admit that hair is to die for.

George is more than a little vain, and very competitive. From what I gather of him, when he decided it was time to be married, he was going to win the wife contest, hands down. I've said before that I think he felt he had something to prove, and there was maybe even an element of "This is what you get when you marry George Clooney."

I'm not culturally or anthropologically structured to envy the hair, but she does work it, and I understand its role in the whole attractiveness thing. Probably way up there in the 'plus' column for George.

Joanna wrote:Way2Old.....your last sentence about being "Devil's Advocate 
in the Vatican" made me smile. 

Go on.....apply for the job and write a blog or book
about it all !

Wouldn't that be a blast? Rattling the skeletons in the closets of saints?

Wonder if they have it in a jobs listing somewhere.

Way2Old4Dis wrote:

Donnamarie wrote:
... Way2,  I think you got this George/Amal thing all wrong.  But it's always a hoot (for me) to read how you really feel about this relationship.

Oh, cool. Can you tell me how I feel? 'Cause I really don't know. :-)

Way2, uh are you annoyed with me?  Do you really not know how you feel about these two or do you not like me saying that I know how you feel.  I don't want to put words in your mouth for sure.  But like the rest of us you have expressed yourself about this relationship quite a bit. 

 I get the sense that you're conflicted about the marriage.  You don't  feel that this relationship is genuine.  It's more about PR, image and opportunity for George.  And from your last post here you feel George had something to prove - to himself and to others.  So in your mind it's not about genuine love and finally finding someone who he wants to spend the rest of his life with.

Tell me I'm wrong.  I'm fine with that.  Maybe I've misunderstood you all along.

I'm not annoyed at all. I have too many annoyances in my own life to let a fun subject like George Clooney get me mad.

You're not wrong.

You're also not right.

I think George genuinely feels that Amal is the right woman for him. I think he fell for her and is still infatuated. But I think there were other factors -- in addition to being smitten -- driving his decision to marry her so soon after they met. I say this because he has been a fairly deliberate person in most of his big life decisions and choices, and for him to act "out of character" (or what I think I know of his character) means that something else was going on. Not saying he wouldn't have married her if those whatevers weren't going on; just that he would have not been so (what seems) impetuous about it.

For the record, I'm not in the "they're a perfect match" club.

Having said that, I think he is very, very serious about being a good husband and staying married. It's the kind of guy he is -- now. I've said before that I think when he said he wouldn't marry again, he really meant that he would never go through another divorce.

As for whether Amal reciprocates his love and devotion, the jury is out for me. I think she thinks she does. I'm hopeful for his sake, but I have my doubts.

Well that's a relief Way2.  So I'm not wrong and Im not right.  Ok.  I can live with that.  Now I feel better.  Seriously.

We can get back to disagreeing about these two.  Lovebirds.  Thought I'd just throw that in to get your feathers ruffled.  

Way2Old4Dis wrote:Having said that, I think he is very, very serious about being a good husband and staying married. It's the kind of guy he is -- now. I've said before that I think when he said he wouldn't marry again, he really meant that he would never go through another divorce.

I totally, totally, totally agreed with you on that one. Until the blind item came out last week.

Yeah, I know it's by Enty who's about as reliable as a British train in a snowstorm, but still.

The blind item about the weekend fling with the waitress? What happened to that thread? Haven't seen it since it was posted.

I don't believe it (coverage of them was pretty much non-stop over the summer, and they were summering in Como when it supposedly happened, the woman has no proof, which is why she couldn't make a payday out of it, and I don't think George would risk it anyway), but what if it were true? Would that mean he loves Amal less? Maybe she got cold feet for a while, and they were "on a break." Like Ross and Rachel. Only, unlike Rachel, Amal decided to stay with George, for numerous and various reasons.

Hey, it could have happened.

Way2Old4Dis wrote:The blind item about the weekend fling with the waitress? What happened to that thread? Haven't seen it since it was posted.

I don't believe it (coverage of them was pretty much non-stop over the summer, and they were summering in Como when it supposedly happened, the woman has no proof, which is why she couldn't make a payday out of it, and I don't think George would risk it anyway), but what if it were true? Would that mean he loves Amal less? Maybe she got cold feet for a while, and they were "on a break." Like Ross and Rachel. Only, unlike Rachel, Amal decided to stay with George, for numerous and various reasons.

Hey, it could have happened.

It's here, it was moved to the Girls section

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Way2Old4Dis wrote: but what if it were true? Would that mean he loves Amal less? Maybe she got cold feet for a while, and they were "on a break." Like Ross and Rachel. Only, unlike Rachel, Amal decided to stay with George, for numerous and various reasons.

Hey, it could have happened.

Hmmm, yeah it could have happened. I know of lots of marriages that work out just fine after the man slept a with waitress just months before getting married. Oh no wait, sorry, I don't.

But yeah, that was just a blind item and could well have been BS. My feeling is that team Clooney pay better than the tabloids.

I can't believe that any space has been given here to this ridiculous story.  There is no story.  There is absolutely no reason to believe this trash.  No need for a "team" Clooney.  In My Exasperated Personal Opinion.

Way2Old4Dis wrote:I'm not annoyed at all. I have too many annoyances in my own life to let a fun subject like George Clooney get me mad.

You're not wrong.

You're also not right.

I think George genuinely feels that Amal is the right woman for him. I think he fell for her and is still infatuated. But I think there were other factors -- in addition to being smitten -- driving his decision to marry her so soon after they met. I say this because he has been a fairly deliberate person in most of his big life decisions and choices, and for him to act "out of character" (or what I think I know of his character) means that something else was going on. Not saying he wouldn't have married her if those whatevers weren't going on; just that he would have not been so (what seems) impetuous about it.

For the record, I'm not in the "they're a perfect match" club.

Having said that, I think he is very, very serious about being a good husband and staying married. It's the kind of guy he is -- now. I've said before that I think when he said he wouldn't marry again, he really meant that he would never go through another divorce.

As for whether Amal reciprocates his love and devotion, the jury is out for me. I think she thinks she does. I'm hopeful for his sake, but I have my doubts.

I agree with your analysis W2O4D.  

I also thought the poll was a good idea Fava. I voted, don't like her but can't  put the finger on why.

I've said this before I know, but reaching ones fifty's
and being single and having had a marriage or relationships that weren't successful does 
focus the mind, mainly subconsciously.
It happened to me and has happened to a friend 
of mine.
The right one comes along and you just feel ready
to commit to them.

Looking on from a great distance of course, 
I think that's what has happened to George.
I don't think he rushed into marriage as they'd been 
together for a year. Neither of them are inexperienced teenagers and must have known what they wanted
from a real commitment.

Way2Old4Dis wrote:

Joanna wrote:Way2Old.....your last sentence about being "Devil's Advocate 
in the Vatican" made me smile. 

Go on.....apply for the job and write a blog or book
about it all !

Wouldn't that be a blast? Rattling the skeletons in the closets of saints?

Wonder if they have it in a jobs listing somewhere.

It would be even more fun if Tom Hanks was your PA !