I need a man! Why? Because I want Farberware! Okay, I can tell that you are confused. Perhaps I should start at the beginning.

I have been on a quest for a skillet that it is not non-stick. Being a starving college student, I have added to my collection of kitchenware on a piece-by-piece-as-needed basis. Now, if you have ever attempted to find such an item as a single skillet that is not non-stick, you know that it is easier said than done.

My friend, Tamara, says I should get Farberware. She swears by it. A few weeks ago, we were at the mall, and Kaufmann's had a set on sale. Of course, an entire set is a little beyond my price range. But there, in the set, was the elusive skillet I desired. In fact, the amateur chef in me would have loved the entire set. But, again, there is a reason they call us starving college students.

As I stood there admiring the cookware, I grew more and more attached. I imagined all of the things I could do if it were mine.

What I couldn't imagine was a compelling reason for me to drop $150 on pots and pans -- even if I had it to spend.

The Farberware would have to go on my wish list.

Fast forward a couple of weeks, and I found myself shopping for a wedding gift to give a friend of mine.

As I perused her registry, I realized that I was missing the boat. When people get married, they also get a ton of practical (and some not so practical) gifts. The idea, of course, being that they are just starting out and are in need of some basic things . . . like, for instance, Farberware.

Don't get me wrong, I don't begrudge newlyweds their gifts. What confuses me is that, at 25, I too am just starting out and am in need of some basic things.

However, if I were to walk into a department store, register for gifts, and then ask my friends and family to buy me the items on the registry, I would be classified as rude, greedy and even ridiculous. Why? Not because I don't need these things, but because need apparently isn't a good enough reason for people to buy me stuff. Apparently, I also need to be getting married.Let me see if I have this straight. Some guy decides I am worth marrying and suddenly I am entitled to presents?

Aside from the fact that that is a lousy self-esteem builder, it is also completely irrational. Are the presents a reward? A compensation? What?

Take my sister-in-law, for example. She and my brother were married two summers ago.

In addition to the gifts she received at the wedding itself, my sister-in-law was also the guest of honor at about 16 bridal showers.

OK, so maybe that's an exaggeration, but I think you get my point. From where I stand, she got a lot of presents.

Of course, she also has to live with my brother for the rest of her life, so I guess it all evens out.

At the rate I am going, I can see two possibilities for the future. Scenario one has me getting married at some point in the not-near future . . . at which time, I will probably already have Farberware, a toaster, a blender and anything else I could want. So now what am I supposed to ask for? Or Scenario two -- I never marry and live my entire life with the household amenities of a broke college student. Decisions, decisions.

We are in the 21st century, folks. A woman can do a lot of things on her own. She can hold down a job, support herself, even give birth and raise children and pretty much anything else she wants. But, apparently, to get Farberware, she needs a guy in a tux. Do you find that strange? I do.

Before I sign off, let me just apologize to my poor mother. She probably got really excited when she read my opening sentence.

She probably said, "Well, it's about time!" and yelled to my dad, "You aren't going to believe this!" Their independent, perpetually single daughter was finally relenting. As she read further, her excitement faded. I'll have to see what I can do to make her feel better.

Maybe I'll let her buy me some Farberware.