Words can lift people up; but, just as equally, they can hurt. Sometimes, we might not even realize that the things we say to others are perhaps less than appropriate. That can be especially true when we make gender-specific comments, maybe even more so when they're directed towards women.
After all, the general public seems to think that women have it a bit worse than men at the moment. A recent survey by King's College London revealed that 48% of people in the UK think that it's harder to be a woman than a man today, while 14% say the opposite.
And the comments under a recent thread by netizen @rombesk might reflect just that. When the user posted the question "Name something people say to women without realizing it's offensive?" on Threads, almost three thousand women came prepared with answers. Scroll down and see what women are sick of hearing from strangers and people they know alike.
#1
When a young woman says she doesn’t want to have children and the immediate response is, “you’ll change your mind.”
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116points
#2
"are you on your period?"
uh no actually, i'm just really tired of your s**t
uh no actually, i'm just really tired of your s**t
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106points
#3
You should smile more. If you think I don’t smile enough around you, then you need to ask yourself why.
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103points
#4
You cut your hair so short! What does your husband say about it?
Nothing. It’s not his hair. It’s my hair.
Nothing. It’s not his hair. It’s my hair.
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98points
#5
When a man is home with his kids while the wife is out and it’s called babysitting or watching the kids. No, that mofo helped make those kids, he’s no babysitting he’s being a father.
97points
#6
“When are you going to start a family?” “Why don’t you have any kids?” “Why do you have so many kids?” “Why don’t you have more kids?” “Who’s the father?” “Where’s the father?” “Why don’t you want kids?” “Aren’t you being selfish by not having any kids?” “Aren’t you being selfish by having kids?” Leave. Our. Bodies. Alone.
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90points
#7
I always have to remind my husband not to say to my teen daughter: wow i guess you were hungry! When she finishes all of her dinner
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89points
#8
While in Home Depot, I was picking out lumber for a project I drafted. I knew what I needed. Every 4 minutes a male staff member would ask if I needed help, or where my husband was at.
It got worse… When a different customer said “can I get help over here” and the old troll of an employee says “no I’m helping this young lady over here.”
I turned around and said “Excuse me. I said NUMEROUS TIMES I do not need help. Now why don’t you actually go help someone who is actually asking for help.”
It got worse… When a different customer said “can I get help over here” and the old troll of an employee says “no I’m helping this young lady over here.”
I turned around and said “Excuse me. I said NUMEROUS TIMES I do not need help. Now why don’t you actually go help someone who is actually asking for help.”
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89points
#9
Dismissing ideas put forward by a woman, but when a man says the same thing suddenly its a good plan
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89points
#10
You can't have an abortion because you aren't dying enough.
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83points
#11
While looking to buy an Audi S4 (sports package), 2 sales guys said to me separately: “That’s a lot of car for you.” I did buy the car btw. Picked a different salesperson and reported the other two guys to the manager!
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82points
#12
I helped her today...when it's just chores that need to be done...you're doing your job as a member of the household, not helping her
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79points
#13
When men will defend other men without even knowing them, just to disbelieve a woman they do know. Always explaining another man’s actions away and justifying what happens to us.
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77points
#14
You look good for someone who just had a baby.
You look good for your age.
Just say YOU LOOK GOOD.
You look good for your age.
Just say YOU LOOK GOOD.
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76points
#15
When the assumption is the female will be the note taker, regardless of her rank.
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76points
#16
“Meh, boys will be boys”
Or
“That’s just locker room talk”
Or
“That’s just locker room talk”
74points
#17
“You don’t know love/responsibility until you’ve had kids”
“You’re not an adult/mature until you’ve had kids”
“You’re not an adult/mature until you’ve had kids”
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64points
#18
Me: no thank you I’m not interested im a lesbian
Them: nahhh don’t believe you, you just haven’t had good d*** yet
Them: nahhh don’t believe you, you just haven’t had good d*** yet
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61points
#19
When you've been on maternity leave and say "how was your break"
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60points