It’s no secret that modern life is fast, and to cope with it, women have rightly evolved. But along the way, they dropped some habits that many guys say they miss on online forums. They won’t say it out loud, though, because they don’t want to sound like they’re from 1995. Here is a humorous look at fourteen of these behaviors.
Remember that these aren’t our opinions and are just intended to be a look at a sexist past and what some men think about.
Disclaimer: This list is from an online social media thread and does not represent the thoughts of the writer or Ash & Pri.
Featured Image Credit: Stokkete/Shutterstock.com.
Letting Men Walk Street-Side
In the past, a woman would switch sides so the guy could walk closest to the road, and it made a guy feel like she expected him to be protective. It’s not something that really happens anymore. Men didn’t always notice it at the time, but now that it’s gone, they do. Some of them miss having that protector role, though it’s great that women are more independent now.
Asking a Man to “Escort” Her Somewhere
Rather than simply saying, “Walk with me,” a woman would say, “Will you escort me?” and this was especially true at formal events or parties. Doing so made a guy feel like he had a role, something small, but clear. Of course, a woman doesn’t need a man to protect her, yet many men miss showing they care in this way.
Laughing at His Jokes to Be Polite
Women used to laugh even when a man’s joke didn’t go well, just to smooth things over or avoid making a guy feel awkward. But that whole “be nice no matter what” thing has almost entirely disappeared. If something’s not funny, many women won’t fake it anymore, and honestly, that’s fair.
Yes, some guys miss getting a laugh from every joke, but forced reactions were never okay.
Keeping Quiet to Avoid Seeming “Too Much”
Most women have rejected the whole idea of toning it down to avoid being called “intense” or “over the top.” They choose not to hide how smart or loud they are, nor how opinionated they might actually be. And that’s great.
Some men wish they were still the loudest voice in the room, but the truth is that shrinking yourself to seem “easier” doesn’t feel good for anyone.
Softening Their Opinions to Avoid Being Labeled “Difficult”
Similarly, sugarcoating every thought so that people wouldn’t think you were “too much” isn’t that common anymore. Many women say what they mean, without trying to reword everything to sound gentler or more appealing to a man. Really, if he can’t handle a clear opinion, that’s kinda on him, because directness doesn’t mean rude. It just means honest.
Acting Like They Didn’t Understand Something
Gone are the days when a woman would pretend she didn’t get how something worked, just to let a guy explain it. If she knows how to do it, or has already finished doing it, she’s not going to pretend otherwise.
A few men miss the days of being that teacher. However, most women were just being polite, not clueless, so they should have the freedom to share their knowledge.
Pretending to Be Less Successful
Likewise, women are done dimming their shine, and if they’re doing well at work or making more money, they won’t hide it to protect anyone’s ego. In the past, they might’ve stayed quiet about a promotion or salary to avoid awkwardness.
But now? She’s telling the truth, no matter if some men aren’t used to it, because that’s not her problem to manage.
Smiling Just to Seem Approachable
In the past, women were expected to smile all the time, even when they didn’t want to. Thankfully, that’s not happening so much anymore, as we mostly understand that a neutral face doesn’t have to be a sign of rudeness. It’s just a face.
If she’s not feeling it, she’s not going to force it, regardless of whether some guys might miss the constant cheeriness.
Laughing Off Microaggressions
Women won’t allow awkward or passive-aggressive comments to slide to keep everyone comfortable, and rightly so. She’ll say something back if she hears comments about how she looks, talks, or works, rather than just brushing them off. If that makes things tense, so be it, because she’s not here to protect someone else’s comfort over her own dignity.
Dressing to Fit a Guy’s Taste
It used to be normal for women to pick outfits with someone else’s preference in mind, but that idea can stay in the past. It forced women to wear stuff they didn’t even like, simply because they thought it looked attractive for a man.
These days, a woman’s comfort and personal style come first. It doesn’t matter if men miss the curated looks because it’s not about them anymore.
Saying Yes to Things They Don’t Want to Do
Back then, women said “yes” to things they didn’t want to do and maybe even situations they weren’t comfortable in. Saying “no” felt risky. But now, we recognize that “no” is a full sentence and a woman doesn’t need to explain or apologize for it. Some guys miss the easygoing responses, although the truth is that nobody benefits from fake enthusiasm.
Laughing Off Pet Names They Didn’t Like
A woman who doesn’t like being called “babe” or “sweetheart” will be open about it. Sure, there was a time when women would let stuff like that slide to avoid the awkward conversation, but now, she’ll speak up about feeling weird. The men who miss using those pet names should know that if it’s not mutual, it’s not meaningful.
Accepting Flirtation as Just “Harmless Fun”
Once, women would brush off unwanted comments, even if they crossed a line. They were told not to overreact or else they’d ruin the mood, but we don’t support this kind of attitude anymore. A woman will speak out when a man’s being inappropriate, and she might even walk away. It’s long past time that we shut down guys who push boundaries without consequences.
Lowering Dating Standards
Speaking of flirting, it used to be all about acting fine with everything, like don’t text first, and don’t ask where it’s going. But that’s not okay anymore. If a woman wants commitment, she won’t pretend to be okay with situationships. Some guys miss it, but that’s because they didn’t have to answer for anything.
Disclaimer: This list is from an online social media thread and does not represent the thoughts of the writer or Ash & Pri.
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