My go-to in these situations: ‘Oh I’m so sorry. I’ve obviously accidentally done something to make you think I give a flying f#$& about your opinion or welcome your input. My bad. I don’t.’
Thank you so much for these. Wish I could pass them back in time to teenage and young adult me who definitely just froze, like you said. I wonder what your thoughts are on the more simmering microsexisms that come up, sometimes even in spaces that are trying to intentionally be inclusive or feminist?
I notice this so much in how people respond to my two girls or even to me as a mom who works full time. I’m in the south, for context, but the passive aggressive sexism with a sweet smile is rampant!
Hi! So glad it resonated. My book Sexism & Sensibility is all about the invisible bias and sexism that chip away at girls self esteem and sense of self. Is that what you mean? By microsexisms do you mean like always calling the mom when the kids get sick or constantly commenting on girls’ appearance?
Yes!! I so can’t wait to get to your book. ❤️ Totally those examples - commenting on my girls’ appearance or their sweetness or whether they are good or compliant. It’s hard to think of examples at times because it’s so pervasive and in the water. And yet I’m often longing for some zingers in my back pocket that I can respond with.
Thanks Bridget! And yep all of those examples walk girls down the path to being capital G Good and self-sacrificing for everyone else's benefit but their own.
When I had my first baby he was blonde like I was as a baby and kid, but unlike how hubs and I are now. I went to my husband’s work function and a coworker legit made a “joke” about me having the baby with our mailman (since neither of us are blonde? An insult to both me and our mailman) and let my husband know that the hospital provides paternity tests. In that moment I definitely froze and in the 20 years since I haven’t forgotten it AND I’ve thought of so many great ways to respond to that!
ewwww. Clearly someone whose own ethics are in the toilet and/or who has quite a low opinion of women. Lots of good responses to be had when you're not in shock!
Congrats on the win! 😁
"Why? Need some lessons?" - love that 🤣
Thanks Boris! :)
Absolutely welcome 😁
My favorite: "Would you say that to a guy?"
My go-to in these situations: ‘Oh I’m so sorry. I’ve obviously accidentally done something to make you think I give a flying f#$& about your opinion or welcome your input. My bad. I don’t.’
lol love this so much!!
Thank you so much for these. Wish I could pass them back in time to teenage and young adult me who definitely just froze, like you said. I wonder what your thoughts are on the more simmering microsexisms that come up, sometimes even in spaces that are trying to intentionally be inclusive or feminist?
I notice this so much in how people respond to my two girls or even to me as a mom who works full time. I’m in the south, for context, but the passive aggressive sexism with a sweet smile is rampant!
Hi! So glad it resonated. My book Sexism & Sensibility is all about the invisible bias and sexism that chip away at girls self esteem and sense of self. Is that what you mean? By microsexisms do you mean like always calling the mom when the kids get sick or constantly commenting on girls’ appearance?
Yes!! I so can’t wait to get to your book. ❤️ Totally those examples - commenting on my girls’ appearance or their sweetness or whether they are good or compliant. It’s hard to think of examples at times because it’s so pervasive and in the water. And yet I’m often longing for some zingers in my back pocket that I can respond with.
So appreciate you and your work!
Thanks Bridget! And yep all of those examples walk girls down the path to being capital G Good and self-sacrificing for everyone else's benefit but their own.
When I had my first baby he was blonde like I was as a baby and kid, but unlike how hubs and I are now. I went to my husband’s work function and a coworker legit made a “joke” about me having the baby with our mailman (since neither of us are blonde? An insult to both me and our mailman) and let my husband know that the hospital provides paternity tests. In that moment I definitely froze and in the 20 years since I haven’t forgotten it AND I’ve thought of so many great ways to respond to that!
ewwww. Clearly someone whose own ethics are in the toilet and/or who has quite a low opinion of women. Lots of good responses to be had when you're not in shock!
You can also just look through them and walk away. No response at all
Absolutely. Cocking an eyebrow and walking away might be the most powerful of all.
No snappy comeback, just give them a totally silent steely stare until THEY blink.