We all know that men are from Mars and women are from Venus. A lot of our perceptions that men and women are different relate to the things that each gender loses in translation when they communicate. While some things that men say might seem innocent to them, but to women, they come across as major “red flags.” Here are 11 things men say on dates that women interpret completely differently:
1. “Females…”
How many times do women have to explain that men shouldn’t say this? The word “female” is an adjective. Using this word as a noun, in place of proper words for female human beings like “woman,” “lady,” or “girl,” is degrading and dehumanizing. When you refer to women as “females,” we just hear you objectifying us. You are reducing our entire being down to the one simple fact that we own vaginas.
2. “I like women with a sense of humor.”
We read this phrase as, “I like to say sexist, misogynistic, and homophobic things as “jokes.” And I just want to let you know up front so you don’t lose your mind when I inevitably offend you.”
3. “Can you cook?”
Typically, the men who say this are just looking for women to replace their mothers. Sir, you’re a grown man, so can you cook? How have you nourished yourself the past ten years? If a woman isn’t a top chef, are you going to write her off? And if she can cook, is her “place” in the kitchen like a 60s housewife? To women, this question translates directly to, “I’m lazy and want a woman to take care of me, even though I’m old enough to care for myself.”
4. “What are you?”
If you hear this as a non-white woman, it probably completely turns you off. What black women, in particular, hear when men say this is, “If I knock you up, will my hypothetical daughter still have those sexy Eurocentric features?” Men need to remember that the concept of “foreign” is completely subjective, and the idea of “exotic” is bogus.
5. “I’m a good guy.”
This statement directly translates to, “I lack basic communication skills. I have an inability to grow as a person. I’m stubborn, and there’s a slim chance that we have anything in common. But I’m a nice guy, so none of that other stuff really matters.” The type of guy who says this probably also screams “This is why you can’t get a good man!” when a woman isn’t interested in him.
6. “I don’t believe in feminism.”
Translation: “I don’t like women correcting me when I’ve said or done something inappropriate.”
7. “You’re still single because you didn’t give me a chance.”
When guys say this, we actually hear, “I have lots of unattractive qualities, but if you’re desperate enough, you can still come ride this dick.” Men, you should know that every night when a woman curves you on social media, she would rather go to bed lonely than be with you.
8. “I don’t like women who wear too much makeup.”
We hear, “I’m a misogynist and like to pit women against each other for sport.”
9. “You’re so ___ …for a woman.”
This one has so many variations, but every single one is sexist. “You’re really good at [random skill/talent] for a woman.” “You be goin’ real hard for a woman.” “You know a lot about [random topic] for a woman.”
Man up, and realize that backhanded compliments don’t count as compliments. Also, you’re a douche.
10. “You should smile more.”
If I had a penny for every time a man told me that I need to smile, I’d be a billionaire by now.
Many men think that everything a woman does is for them. What we really hear when you tell us to smile more often is, “Smile at me because that means you want me.”
11. “My ex was crazy.”
In other words, “I treated her terribly and I’m pretending the downfall of the relationship was her fault.” This completely foreshadows what you’re going to say about us if the relationship doesn’t work out. Trashing your ex is not only unattractive, but it also leads us to wonder what you did to lead to the demise of the relationship. Did she really have “issues,” or did you play with her emotions and then gaslight her when she called you out?
If you’re a woman, you’re probably so stranger to hearing these sexist, derogatory comments from men on your dates. The next time you hear a man talk to you this way, walk away like the strong, proud woman you are.
Feature Image by JD Mason on Unsplash
Great article. I have learned a lot of experience from this article.
Good topic! You hit the nail on the head.
wow! it”s been some time since i read something so pathetic and full of womanly low self steem but big ego!
While some things are right, the majority just shows a egotistical, overly emotional, dramatic , ignorant and feminism obsesed woman.
You practically interpret what YOU (because you don”t represent all woman) whant to see and act proud about a bias!
it”s even a bit sick, even more considering that a lot of woman do the same to man but just slide it of as “i can say and think what i want”. ¿it”s kind of the the cases on when a woman do something idiotic or wrong it is alright just because “that si how i feel”?
also: grow up girl, the world is not just USA or Europe, and not in general the rest of the women in the world don”t live as snowflacke like you, some have real worryes or problems.
Saying a woman is overly emotional for stating a firm opinion and backing it with genuine claims as to what MOST women actually hear when men say these things is literally misogynistic. What men think sounds completely acceptable to say usually just simply isn’t. Its not low self esteem to know when men are objectifying us and calling them out for it. It’s common sense and self respect. And surprise, dumbass! Most women hear these things and interpret them in the ways listed in this article. We are not sNoWfLaKeS for calling men out on misogyny. We’re strong for doing that. Yes, women also do this to men and that’s not okay either. But your entire comment is giving every possible reason as to why this article is wrong and why and how to normalize and justify misogyny. If misogyny isn’t a real life issue that needs to be taken care out- then neither is the objectification of men. A point like yours that’s so strongly retarded should never be one sided- if you think it toward one gender, do it for the other as well.
YOU are the one who is egotistical and pathetic and has low self esteem if you seriously think this way.
So basically what your saying is no matter what a man says or how he says it women are going to hear something totally different. Got it.