"We're there on the playground (at least I am), but the gaggle of women deconstructing mommy minutiae over by the swing set doesn't know what to do with me/us, so they do nothing." [The New Dad]

It's not just the playground, but parties and almost any get together. My experience is that there are men-friendy women and non men-friendly women. Some women assume that men only want to hang around with other men and talk about sports, barbeque and beer, and rarely give them the time of day. It can actually be hard to engage in conversation with women, especially if they are in a group. Women that make eye contact and reach out to me are a welcome surprise.