I'll link my answer to the same topic in another post:
good-conversation-topics-for-clubs-vt44 ... highlight=
The link above is how I deal with WHAT to say when I'm running dry.
I agree with both sides of your point. The effect is definitely HOW you say it, but it won't matter how you say it unless you have SOMETHING to say.
Generally speaking (and I don't want anyone accusing me of stereotyping, I know this isn't ALL women) the 9's and 10's are not usually the brightest crayons and are less inclined to chat about things like the power to control time. Maybe try and relate a superpower to something really really girly, I'm sure Cosmo has some inspiration you can draw from. Oooooo or the power to read minds, so you knew what people really thought about. Those are more girl-oriented things, basically anything to get them to go "Yeah, now that's something I can relate to!"
Breaker