Wiring vs. Upbringing

A non-Muslim friend confessed to me his attraction to the mysticism of Muslim women, complained that he had never had the pleasure of a Muslim woman, and wondered if he ever would.
 

After some light banter about tasting halaal meat I suggest that the reason he's never had the opportunity and is not likely to make use of the opportunity should it be granted, was because of his view of Islam - that he speaks of Islam and Muslims with such awe and reverence. (I've often thought I heard a note of longing when he speaks of our customs and culture, a yearning to belong).

I guess he thought that there may be an element of truth to my point, because he added that being raised by a Muslim grandmother, he always thought of Muslim women as pure and veiled.

I tell him the story of the two sweets. How a man once criticized the way Muslim women are required to dress. A wise man took two sweets, unwrapped the one, and then threw both sweets on the floor. He then picked them back up and offered them to the other man. Of course the man opted for the wrapped sweet.

My friend called my story an interesting analogy but then asked what happens to other women - the unwrapped sweets.

I found his concern for the unwrapped sweets quite funny. And I explained, that I could be as good a Muslim wife as I could, chances are that my husband would still be carried away by an unwrapped sweet.

He agrees and says that men are just wired differently...

So that left me thinking ... I was so sure a moment ago that my friend would not take advantage of a Muslim woman, out of respect, because of his upbringing.

But in the battle of wiring vs. upbringing ... where would you bet your money?