What is the deal with these imaginary competitions men and women create for themselves?

Some genius decided to put an 8 foot long by 1 foot tall open space in the top of the wall I sit by at work, which allows me to hear everything being said on the other side. I listen to these two guys talking every day, and they’re constantly trying to one-up each other. Today, it was who had more songs on his computer (the “winner” had 3 hard drives full!), who had been to the best concert (the “winner” was at Bonnaroo) and who knew the most about the Moody Blues. This goes on daily, on a broad range of topics. Sometimes a third guy will come in and join their “competition.” I’ve heard this same kind of thing at bars, parties, diners, etc. etc.

Yet when you hear women doing the same sort of thing, it’s not who’s best, it’s who’s worst. Who had the hardest life, who had the worst drive, whose kids were crabbiest.

Am I imagining things?