I tend to get on better with males as well. I think that part of it is about this male ethos of telling you to your face if they have a problem, and then moving on (quite genuinely) whereas females are more likely to gripe behind your back and be sickly sweet to your face...

My mother was very stern and I guess I associate such qualities as caring, tenderness etc with males rather than females.

I think (somewhat sadly) that there is also something nice about guys in the sense that I'm female and so they take extra special care to be kind and nice to me and to look out for me. More than they would for other guys. Females are more likely to see your presence as a threat for male attention, however. So... Easier to get on with guys (I feel much more secure if I think that people are looking out for me) whereas females seem to be more wary of me (which tends to lead to their trying to be 'better' than me and / or their feeling insecure around me).

I think it is sad... I'm meeting people here who are breaking that mold :-) Having female friends etc. But I do tend to find that female friendships come harder... Especially with females who tend to get on better with guys... Because then the female friendships tend to take on competitive overtones...