It’s true that both genders have to put up with their share of BS in life, but sometimes it seems like women have to deal with a uniquely frustrating strain of it. We hear the same stereotypical and anti-feminist remarks over and over again, often from people who don’t even realize that they’re being offensive.
Recently, a video posted at Cosmopolitan.com showcased just a few of the ridiculous remarks women have to put up with, and it went viral. That’s likely because, unfortunately, so many of us can relate. Forgive us if we get snarky with our responses sometimes, but we’re just sick and tired of putting up with comments like these:
- “Your biological clock is ticking.” You’re right! It is! I hear it. Oh, and it’s talking, too. You hear that? What’s it saying? Shhh, I can’t hear. OH. It says you need to calm the hell down about my reproductive system. Pretty please.
- “Smile!” No. Just no. I’ll do you a favor and pretend you just didn’t.
- “What about Bobby? Bobby seems nice.” This is usually the next question after a worried mother’s desperate claims of “you’re too picky!” She then proceeds to run down the list of every single boy you ever said hi to and ask why you can’t marry him.
- “When are the two of you going to get married?” When he asks, and I say yes. I’ll keep you updated.
- “What does your boyfriend do?” Why is this always the first question whenever we start dating someone new? Nobody cares if he’s kind, if he’s funny, if he treats me well. They just want to know what his paycheck looks like. Seriously?
- “What’s for dinner?” Oh, are you cooking tonight? Great! Anything’s fine with me.
- “Hey baby!” Oh, heyyyyyyy, random guy on the street! I was going to go back to my apartment after a long day at work, kick my shoes off, and have some tea while catching up on Netflix. But wow. You just seem like such a catch. Lets run away together!
- “Is it that time of the month?” No, I’m just always a jerk to people I don’t like.
- “Oh, you’re a feminist?” As in, do I believe men and women should have equal rights and equal opportunities? Why, yes. Yes, I am.
- “What exactly do you do in your job as a doctor/banker/lawyer?” If this is coming from a place of genuine interest, that’s fine. But way too often, this is asked in an almost accusatory manner, as if they don’t believe that someone who looks and speaks like you could possibly have a high-powered career.
- “Do you think being a girl helped you get that job?” This is the “affirmative action makes your success illegitimate” argument. No, you jerk. I think being awesome helped me get that job.
- “What do your parents think about that?” If the girl at the other end of this question is twelve, ask away. If she’s pushing 30, though, it’s not as forgivable. She can make her own decisions.
- “I thought you looked so much better when…” you had long hair, you were a brunette, you wore a different style of clothing, you name it. For some reason, when you’re a woman, anyone and everyone feels like they can comment on how you look.
Whew. Refuting sexist remarks like these can be exhausting, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. Unfortunately, making comments like these is just one of the many messed up things that are socially acceptable for guys to do. Let’s try to change that; go forth and educate!
