If women got a dollar every time they had to deal with something annoying, they’d be able to retire very early. Sure, men hear a lot of things that bug them. But the stuff that grates on women…really grates on them. Here are eighteen things we don’t think women enjoy. Some of these things are silly, some are everyday annoyances, and a few just make you wonder who thought they were a good idea in the first place.
Pockets That Aren’t Real
Even in this day and age, women’s jeans still come with fake pockets. Most of the time, pockets that seem real are just decorative stitching that designers call “sleek tailoring.” But women call it “I now have to carry a bag for a ChapStick.” It’s a relic from a time when women weren’t expected to need to carry things around, yet it has no place in our modern world.
Catcalling On the Street
Whenever a woman is walking to the store and minding her business, she can expect a stranger to suddenly think it’s the best time to start speaking to her. But not in a kind way. Nope, it’s usually a whistle and a comment like, “hey, gorgeous,” maybe even a honk from a passing car. Nobody asked for this. It’s not flattering and it’s not original, nor does it make a woman feel safer walking home.
Being Told to Smile
Similarly, while a woman is on the bus to work, or maybe just zoning out in the grocery line, a guy always pipes up, telling her to smile because “it looks better” on her. It’s so annoying. Such a statement assumes that women exist to look pleasant for strangers, even when this statement is meant as a joke. But it never feels funny when you’re just trying to live your day without a commentary on your appearance.
Strangers Touching Pregnant Bellies
Nothing shows a clearer misunderstanding of boundaries than strangers putting their hands on a woman’s baby bump. For some reason, many people seem to think that being pregnant makes a woman community property, so they’re fine to touch her stomach. It happens in checkout lines and on buses. It even happens at family gatherings with that one aunt who always forgets to ask first.
Being Asked About Having Kids
Not all women plan or even want to have children. Yet they always get the inevitable question, “So, when are you having kids?” whenever they’re at family reunions or weddings. For many women, this question is intrusive and stressful, especially when they don’t want children or can’t have them. Motherhood isn’t the default life path. It’s a personal choice. So how about we treat it as such?
Poorly Lit Parking Lots
It shouldn’t feel like you’re in a suspense movie when you’re walking through a parking lot at night, with half the bulbs out, and shadows stretching across the rows. And yet it does. Every little noise makes a woman speed up, and they hate it because it forces them to strategically plan something as simple as getting to the car.
The “Are You PMS-ing?” Question
Anytime that a woman raises her voice because she’s frustrated, a guy will chalk it up to hormones. They’ll say something along the lines of, “Wow, are you PMS-ing?” which is incredibly dismissive. It’s also lazy. Such a statement ignores the fact that, sometimes, people are just mad because, you know, life exists.
Heels On Cobblestones
Of course, not every woman wears heels. But whoever designed cobblestone streets clearly never walked them in stilettos because each step feels like it could be the one to make you twist your ankle. Your heel gets wedged in a crack, and you lurch forward, which is enough to make every stranger stare at you.
Tiny Public Restrooms
Trying to change a tampon is never easy. It’s even harder when you’re trying to do it in a closet while the walls shake, for instance, the airplane bathroom experience. Women have to turn sideways, and they always bump their elbows while also hitting the flush button accidentally. They come out looking like they wrestled the sink. All while knowing five people are waiting right outside the door.
“One-Size-Fits-All” Clothes
It doesn’t matter that the clothes say they’re “one-size-fits-all” because they’re really not. What they really mean is that one size fits this mannequin in our studio, and on real women’s bodies, the waistband is tight and the sleeves hang long. The whole outfit looks more like a costume than something nice, yet these pieces somehow end up on store racks.
Clothes Marketed As Flattering
That’s not all for clothing, as every shopping trip seems to include at least one tag or sign promising a “flattering fit.” In reality, it’ll make you look smaller. The word has nothing to do with whether the outfit’s comfortable or even stylish, which is why many women hate this kind of marketing. It’s built on the idea that the only point of wearing clothes is to reshape your body.
Being Talked Over in Meetings
Usually, when a woman shares an idea in a meeting, one of her colleagues will cut her off. Yet five minutes later, another person repeats her point like it’s brand new, just with slightly different wording. It makes a woman feel like she’s invisible. And it happens so often that many women go into meetings ready to fight just to finish a sentence.
Having Their Knowledge Questioned in Male-Dominated Fields
Likewise, a woman could try giving clear directions in a meeting, but her point doesn’t always land because her male colleagues question the merit of her words. They’ll ask “Are you sure?” in a way that’s meant to seem caring. But it just comes off as condescending. Such behavior happens in a lot of industries where women are still outnumbered, which makes communication way too exhausting. Women know their input won’t be taken seriously the first time.
Medical Equipment Not Tested On Women
Many medical equipment, like PPE masks and surgical outfits, isn’t tested on women. As such, it doesn’t fit them properly, which, at best, makes them feel uncomfortable when women wear them. At worst, it can be quite dangerous and may actually risk their lives. Just how on Earth is that fair?
Doctors Dismissing Pain
Plenty of women have walked into a doctor’s office with real symptoms, only to leave with nothing but a suggestion to “rest more” or something similar. It sounds unbelievable, but many doctors brush aside conditions like endometriosis or autoimmune issues for years before they actually diagnose them. Having to fight for care makes dealing with pain that won’t go away even more frustrating.
Being Called “Girls” At Work
A group of women in an office could all have degrees and years of experience. But some guys still refer to them as “the girls.” Sure, it might sound casual to the speaker, but it reduces a professional group to something childish, and we rarely call men at work “boys.” Referring to women as “girls” chips away at how seriously they’re taken in the workplace.
Being Called “Ma’am” Too Early
Women hit a certain age, sometimes shockingly young, and suddenly everyone calls them “ma’am.” Cashiers and waiters on the street switch over to this phrase without warning, although the word itself isn’t rude. But it feels out of place when you’re in your twenties and still being mistaken for older. Why does respect have to sound like aging?
Men Explaining Women’s Experiences to Them
There’s nothing quite like sitting through an explanation of how periods work from someone who’s never had one. It happens with topics like childbirth and menopause, along with basic products like bras or tampons. Women hate these moments because they erase lived experiences. Instead, their voices are background noise, and someone else owns the conversation about their bodies.
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17 Things Men Say That Make Women Feel Invisible
Unfortunately, many men are guilty of doing this to women without realizing it. Here are things men say that make women feel invisible. Just remember, it’s not all men, and we’re not trying to bash the male population. These are simply some phrases that you might want to stop saying to women.
17 Things Men Say That Make Women Feel Invisible