"He Thinks This Is Hostile And He Is Correct" — Women Are Sharing The "Unhinged" Ways They Practice Microfeminism That Reaally Grind A Small Man's Gears
Last year, I wrote about the growing trend of people sharing the "microfeminisms" they practice daily — the small but redemptive, affirming, and powerful acts aimed at making the world just a little more equitable for women.
Alana Valko / Via buzzfeed.com(The trend began whencreator Ashley Chaney coined the term ina viral video sharinghow she confronts subtle misogyny at work with "microfeminist" acts, such as addressing women first in emails, even if less senior. Thereafter, thousands, and I really do mean thousands, joined in, and the term stuck. Personally, I think it should be added to Merriam-Webster now or something.)
The trend has resurfaced on TikTok once again, but this time, a user prompted, "I wanna hear more. I'm not talking about 'Oh, I always address women first.' I'm talking unhinged behavior."
@phexxi / Via tiktok.comThe replies, of course, delivered, and were just too good not to share. Here are some of the best ones:
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1."Give them a princess handshake when they introduce themselves only to other men."
Paramount Pictures / 20th Century Fox / @phexxi / Via tiktok.com2."every time a man tells me he's 'babysitting' his kids i said 'oh it must be hard not to have custody.'"
@phexxi / Via tiktok.comAdvertisementAdvertisement#«R4ce4kr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R8ce4kr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe 3."When I'm addressing a group of people and say 'Ladies and the sons of ladies.'"
NBC / @phexxi / Via tenor.com / tiktok.com4."My daughter is 4 and doesn't know men can be doctors because her ped, dentist, and vet are all women."
@phexxi / Via tiktok.com5."If a man says 'hi young lady' or something similar I respond 'hi old man.'"
Connect Images / Pancake Pictures / Getty Images / @phexxi / Via tiktok.com6."In response to mansplaining, I interrupt loudly with, 'Reclaiming my time!' It almost always results in uncontrollable laughter from others in the room, which has the added benefit of thoroughly embarrassing the mansplainer."
@phexxi / Via tiktok.comAdvertisementAdvertisement#«R4le4kr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R8le4kr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe Related: Men Are Sharing Things They Wish More Women Had Sympathy For, And I'm Already Laughing At How Women Will Respond To Some Of These
7."when a man starts mansplaining over and over, I wait patiently until he is done, and when he asks me if I understood, I reply. 'I understood it right away, but if it makes you feel better, you can keep explaining it.' Gets them every time."
TBS Network / @phexxi / Via giphy.com / tiktok.com8."I change all the Alexa voices in my house to [male], so my daughter gets used to telling men what to do. I'm a guy."
@phexxi / Via tiktok.com9."I’m a waitress at a steakhouse and anytime a couple is sharing a steak, I put the steak in front of the woman and the empty plate in front of the man."
JazzIRT / Getty Images / @phexxi / Via tiktok.com10."I always say, '...for a man.' when complimenting a man."
@phexxi / Via tiktok.comAdvertisementAdvertisement#«R4ve4kr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R8ve4kr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe 11."I own a cleaning company and I use all pink trash bags for bachelor [men's] homes. 🥰"
Pablo Jeffs Munizaga - Fototrekk / Getty Images / @phexxi / Via tiktok.comRelated: This Woman Went Viral For Discussing The Social Habits Women Should Try To Unlearn, And I Couldn’t Agree More
12."A guy at work sighs really loudly every time someone says something he disagrees with, so I sigh anytime he speaks. For some reason, he thinks this is 'hostile' and he is correct."
@phexxi / Via tiktok.com13."At a family reunion someone was making an excuse for her husband being quiet and I said 'good, husbands should be seen and not heard.'"
@phexxi / Via tiktok.com14."I turn my camera off in a Zoom meeting if I'm being mansplained to, and only turn it back on when the mansplaining is over. Then carry on with my topics as if it never happened."
Zoranm / Getty Images / @phexxi / Via tiktok.comAdvertisementAdvertisement#«R59e4kr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R99e4kr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe 15."When a man tries to mansplain something or hijack my idea I just say, 'You're really starting to understand it. That's awesome. Let me know if you have any other questions about what I said.' And then continue on with what I was saying."
@phexxi / Via tiktok.com16."Saw one recently as a response to mansplaining: 'Do you suffer from correctile dysfunction? Its ok, no need to be embarrassed. Millions of men have it.'"
@phexxi / Via tiktok.com17."I use makeup metaphors at work instead of sports ones. 'Team I think [we're] forgetting the primer before our foundation here.'"
@phexxi / Via tiktok.com18."I'm an attorney and when male opposing counsel gets really aggressive or rude I like to say, 'You're being really emotional. Let's talk about this another time when you can get better control over your emotions.' 😅"
FX Network / @phexxi / Via gifer.com / tiktok.comAdvertisementAdvertisement#«R5ie4kr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R9ie4kr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe Related: 19 "Body Changes" That Clearly Indicate A Person Is Not Young Anymore, And I'm Not Ready For This Reality
19."When a man gets [unnecessarily] angry, I explain to people around us that men have daily hormone cycles and it's probably his 'part of the day.'"
@phexxi / Via tiktok.com20."I'm a firefighter and I only bring sunscreen with glitter. The guys will ask for sunscreen and unbeknownst to them will be covered like Edward in twilight."
@phexxi / Via tiktok.com21."I ask dad the admission questions & about their kid’s health history, meds, allergies, diagnoses, etc. They always direct all the questions to mom & I say 'omg I’m so sorry I thought you were dad!' Then they get even more awkward. Love it 👏
@phexxi / Via tiktok.com22."I use feminine words while complementing them. 'Good morning Hank. Wow I love that new blouse!'"
@phexxi / Via tiktok.comAdvertisementAdvertisement#«R5se4kr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R9se4kr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe 23."my old boss used to wear cowboy boots to work and i would tell him his kitten heels are cute."
Grant Faint / Getty Images / @phexxi / Via tiktok.com24."I tell men I love their pixie cut."
@phexxi / Via tiktok.com25.And finally, "i save my friend's [boyfriends and husbands] contact in handmaids tale format: Matt OfClare, Ryan OfMadison, Josh OfEmily, etc."
@phexxi / Via tiktok.comGot any other hilarious and "unhinged" microfeminisms that you practice to add? Please, add them all down below in the comments. We could use 'em right now.
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