When you’re a strong woman, you’re bound to come across some backlash. Why? Because society sees a woman who’s powerful as a threat, and how do we deal with threats? We take them down. For strong, independent women, this takes the shape of micro-aggressions that come out via questions and/or comments. Here are just 11 of the things that strong women are sick to death of hearing and wish people would stop saying.
- “Cheer up, love!” Firstly, I’m fine. Secondly, if I wasn’t fine, then that sure doesn’t help.
- “Oh, I could loosen you up.” Gross. And I don’t need loosening. And I don’t need you to do it. Now if you could take your machoism to the other side of the room so I can get on with my work, that’d be great.
- “You must be single.” I don’t think that’s any of your business, really.
- “I bet you’re fun at a party.” Tons, actually! After my 9 – 5 job (which, by the way, I kick ass at), I put on a clown costume and dance around for idiots like you. Wanna see?
- “You don’t have to be such a bitch about it.” How many times are we called a “bitch” just for speaking our minds, being direct or blunt, or simply for taking charge? If you can imagine a man doing the same thing, and not being called a “bitch” for it, then why am I? Back. The. Hell. Off.
- “You mustn’t have many friends.” Actually, strong women tend to make the best of friends. The thing is, in this day and age, it is possible to be a strong woman and surround yourself with people who respect and admire her. Because, you know, we’re not all from the Middle Ages anymore. I know, I know – The shock! The horror!
- “You must waste all your time at work.” Where do you waste all your time? The supermarket? At home watching the “kids”? The mall?
- “When are you going to settle down?” Whenever the hell I want. Thanks.
- “How do you handle it all?” Like anyone else does, I guess? Why? Is there some male-only rule to juggling life’s stresses like a boss?
- “You got lucky.” Those 10 years at college, countless late nights, and working three jobs to pay my way through it all sure didn’t feel like luck.
- “What made you decide to go into [insert career here]?” I made my choice like you made your choice. A mix of personal interest, mixed with a good hard look at the job market, and a smidgeon of naivety.