Gender stereotypes are one of those things that just won’t go away. No matter how many times they get debunked, they keep popping up in conversations, dating advice, magazine horoscope pages and those weird “alpha male” podcasts. And most of the time, they’re completely wrong.
That’s why women and men of Reddit decided to set the record straight and call out the biggest myths about themselves. Their answers ranged from funny to genuinely frustrating, and they show just how many assumptions people make without really knowing what they’re talking about.
Scroll down to read them.
#1
That as a single man, I’m interested in every woman that I cross paths with.
Image source: hikereyes2, The Yuri Arcurs Collection / Magnific (not the actual photo)
#2
That men can get by with 20% of the blanket and mattress?
Image source: dopealope47, Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#3
Men only want one thing and its disgusting.
Image source: epicmoe, kues1 / Magnific (not the actual photo)
#4
One that surprised a lot of women I’ve dated: most guys almost never get random compliments. So when someone says ‘nice shirt’ or ‘you look good today,’ we remember it for years like it was an award ceremony.
Image source: zeltitscilveks, stphtuohy / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#5
My daughter was led to believe that all men can burp the alphabet and was disappointed to find out I couldn’t.
Image source: aishel, ikarahma / Magnific (not the actual photo)
#6
Myth: That we are just being polite when we say we like both outfit choices and we secretly have a preference but don’t want to hurt feelings
Reality: Sometimes both options are just equally great in our opinion.
Image source: Bagel-luigi, Magnific (not the actual photo)
#7
“Men are simple creatures.”
We can be just as complicated as the best of them.
Image source: SweetNSalty_p0pcorn, senivpetro / Magnific (not the actual photo)
#8
An ex bought me Rush Hour 3 on dvd because “All men like these movies”
So that.
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#9
That looks are everything. She can be a ten, but if her attitude is a one, she’s a three or four at best. I’ve checked hot women that I end up not taking a second look at because their attitude is insane.
Image source: Lusiric9983, serhii_bobyk / Magnific (not the actual photo)
#10
“Man wants a challenge in a woman”.. Girl,I’m constantly in a challenge in a day. At work, at road, at street, every meeting, where the country is going, what is the stock options doing, what the heck kids want etc… I want peace in a relationship. Not a challenge.
Image source: Quartet171, Drazen Zigic / Magnific (not the actual photo)
#11
That we have no idea what’s going on emotionally. We know. We just weren’t given the tools to do anything about it growing up.
Image source: ShadowKorr
#12
That the hot women they’re following on Instagram are natural. I have asked multiple men to show me their idea of a “natural looking” woman, and every time without fail, they show me a woman who is wearing heavy make-up, is using filters, and has clearly had work done.
Image source: ChaturangaChai
#13
That we’re attracted to those super buff, steroid types or those looksmaxxers and that we can’t possibly be attracted to men like Michael Cera.
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#14
That we’re better at organising. Nope. Please share the load.
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#15
That we exaggerate our pain. By the time I even mention it you might want to call the undertaker.
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#16
That we can control when our periods occur. Yeah babe, I’m totally cramping and giving birth to blood clots to ruin your birthday…
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#17
That we are the reason why women use botox and go to the beauty doctor. we hate how it looks.
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#18
Hand size, foot size, and overall height are not indicators of genital size, despite all the claims otherwise. The genes that govern both are separate. So that huge guy with big feet could be tiny, and that super short guy with little hands might be packing. You can’t tell by looking at other body parts.
Image source: orlybatman
#19
That we aren’t happy because we’re alone.
I love it.
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#20
That some women think you’re flirting with them when you hold a door, smile or say hello. Sometimes I’m just being a nice human being.
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#21
A friend of mine believed that if given a choice, all men would pursue blondes.
This came right after me telling her I have a thing for brunettes.
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#22
Most of the time we’d really rather not end the spider. He ain’t hurting nothing.
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#23
That whole “Roman Empire” thing. My wife walked in one day with the biggest grin on her face and said “when’s the last time you thought about the Roman Empire?” She’d heard about the trend on a podcast.
I replied with “uh, never?” And she walked out visibly disappointed.
Image source: rawker86
#24
While we were walking down the sidewalk together back in the 1970’s, my college boyfriend casually mentioned to me that he was sure glad that I didn’t wear make up. I stopped in my tracks and I said ” Do you seriously think I was born with these black lines around my eyes ?!?”
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#25
That we all enjoy taking care of others, nurturing them, and that the very basis of our happiness is seeing others enjoy the fruit of our labor.
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#26
That trying to make us jealous makes us want you more, no dude, I am blocking you now. Have fun with Jenny instead.
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#27
That we’re all dropping hints on purpose. Sometimes we’re not being mysterious, we’re just tired, hungry, or overthinking everything.
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#28
The idea that we’re never nervous about walking outside at night time.
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#29
That men aren’t actually bad at recognizing flirting/picking up on hints.
There was a woman I would frequently run into in my work and every time we would always chit chat for a few minutes. One time she stopped and looked me up and down and said “You single MrWoodburn?” to which I replied that I was. “We should go out some time” she responded. Now, being the oblivious oaf that I am and thinking she was just being polite, I assumed she was joking so I gave her dual finger guns and said “Maybe” before breaking off the conversation to get back to work.
Image source: MrWoodburn
#30
That they can change us and still like us afterward.
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#31
That men are emotionally simple and don’t overthink things many do, they just tend to hide it.
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#32
Believe it or not, we are not all intercourse crazed predators 😒
Image source: AgentFranklin
#33
Men like the chase.
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#34
Silent treatment is regular treatment for us.
Image source: PseudoRacoon
#35
One thing I’ve noticed when some women say ‘my life would be so much easier if I were a man’ is that they’re typically describing the life of a man who is noticeably attractive, rich, and powerful. They usually do not imagine a life as a complete gender-bent version of themselves.
Well, sure, the man you’re picturing is definitely more privileged than you, but he is also more privileged than 90% of us. Yes, I get that women do have major disadvantages compared to their male counterparts, but the ‘male self’ you’re dreaming of is the exact kind of man every single one of us wishes we could be.
Image source: ThinkingThoth_369
#36
We’re not babysitters. We’re dads. And we enjoy time with our kids.
Image source: Chritt
#37
That men are always “thinking about nothing” because they don’t care. Sometimes we really are thinking about nothing, but sometimes we just don’t know how to explain the 47 random problems running in the background.
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#38
If you give us a compliment we will remember it for months. Maybe even years.
Be honest with us. Don’t hide stuff, and don’t lie about it. We’d rather disagree than be gaslit and find out later.
If we often seem closed off or stoic, it’s not because we don’t have emotions. On the contrary. We feel things and feel them DEEPLY. But we’re often afraid to actually be vulnerable and EXPRESS those feelings. Reason being, when we’re frank about how we feel…
A.) It’s almost a guarantee that those feelings will be weaponized and used against us at a later time.
B.) If what we’re feeling is in any way negative or upsetting, we run the risk of upsetting YOU. At which point our feelings are brushed aside, and we have to flip to “consolation mode” and comfort you over how OUR feelings made YOU feel.
C.) In a worst-case scenario, our feelings are dismissed on the grounds that patriarchy and misogyny mean that women’s feelings are ALWAYS more important, because women are marginalized and oppressed and have it worse in every possible way than the men “playing life on easy mode.”
After all of this plays out a few times, we learn fast. If we have feelings, it’s safer and easier on everyone if we just clam up and shove it down and do whatever it takes to keep the women in our lives happy, because we prize peace and harmony more so than a free expression of emotion that’s only going to circle back and bite us in the a*s. And this means we stew and we repress and we bottle it aaaaalllll up. Forever.
All men are individuals, but I 100% PROMISE YOU THAT THIS IS SOMETHING WE ALL HAVE IN COMMON.
Image source: No-Zucchini2787
#39
That men aren’t sensitive or in tune with emotion. We just get chastised for showing it, even when we are told we should open up.
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#40
Loud sneezes being intentional.
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#41
That going to the gym will make a man look like a roided body builder.
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#42
That we dont feel unsure, afraid, fear, ashamed, inferior sometimes, that we dont worry that we’re taking up too much space, worried about being too assertive, that we all feel we’re simply entitled to things, that any male failing is a simple failure to take advantage of his privilege, we dont experience the full gamut of human emotions…
Many things like this
I feel that in this respect, a lot of what women believe about men is based on the worst caricature of a man, created as a figure they can justifiably hate and argue against when it comes to speaking about problems women have with men, rather than what 99% of men are actually like as real human beings.
Its easier to argue against a boogeyman, than have to realise that men are just as human as they are.
Image source: YooGeOh
#43
That the only emotion we feel is anger. In truth we feel the full range of emotions, but the only socially acceptable (and useful) one to show is anger.
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#44
That we know what every building we drive by is.
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#45
That men are totally fearless and never get anxious. We stress about the same stuff as anyone else but hide it better.
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#46
Just because I happen to have cheese does not mean you’re getting any. I’m NOT a brie dispensary.
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#47
Female coworker, “you have beautful hands! So manly!” Feb 12 2009. lol.
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#48
That SA doesn’t happen to men. Yes the numbers are different compared men being the victims vs women. It is actually not gender specific. Happened to myself, and seen it dozens of times in my line of work.
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#49
I had a longer post but they really do assume we know anything about cars. Had engine trouble and i took it to a mechanic. Y’know as if I knew anything about whats under the hood to even stick a new engine in.
An engine is expensive, labor is where that cost comes from. They have the know-how and tools to do it not guys in-general.
Image source: RedBaronBob
#50
That men know when we are being flirted with or being hit on. No we really don’t. Often times we miss cues like that.
Image source: apex_super_predator
#51
There have been lots of trans men who report that people generally aren’t as nice to you, trusting of you, don’t get as close to you, are more suspicious of you, less charitable to you.
In my experience as a man with a sister and many female family members… life is generally a bit more… independent, i guess is the word. Parents, family friends don’t check up on you. You’re generally expected to solve your own problems. My sister on the other hand often gets plenty of help emotionally and otherwise from her friends & supported financially by our parents.
I know not all men are independent. Not all women have a large support network… its just my personal experience.
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#52
I think the irony of all the generalisation in this thread is really lost on most commenters.
Image source: DifficultSelection
#53
That there is such a grand difference in how men vs women think. Outside of the chemistry influencing our thoughts, and conditioning brought by tribalism, is there really such a difference between how men and women process information? I feel like it more has to do with the genetic makeup of each individual and how they were brought up.
Image source: Vulkie
#54
Men get turned off when women make the first move.
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#55
That we have pillow fights in negligee when we sleep at a friend’s house.
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#56
That our rejection of you is a personal attack.
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#57
The idea that everything we do appearance wise is for them. Most of us just want to feel good about ourselves and it really has nothing to do with how men perceive us.
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#58
That bigger is better.
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#59
That women are drowning in compliments from strangers every time we go out! I’m so tired of hearing men be like “I still remember the compliment a person gave me from 10 years ago, women can’t relate they get complimented all the time”. Maybe beautiful women can’t relate but I’m an average woman and I’m completely ignored in public. most average people regardless of their gender are ignored and it’s not an experience unique to men. .
Image source: ResponsibleDoor7
#60
That they are somehow the exception, and given the chance, could change the minds of gay women. I am a homosexual, Brad. Your beer breath and Cheeto fingers will not change that. This might not be “most” men, per say, but it’s too darn many.
Image source: JenVenture250
#61
That women molt their skin like reptiles.
Image source: Hill_Orc_Warrior
#62
We’re all hopeless romantics. Nope. I’m very aloof and don’t attach easily. When I do, I’m still not much of a romance type. My love language is food. If I’m feeding you a home-cooked meal while wearing a sundress, that’s as romantic as I get.
Image source: ServanaStar
#63
That size matters less than men think it does, but more than women like to admit .
Image source: Tight-Inspector-2748
#64
That women don’t get attracted to men who are vulnerable or sensitive.
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#65
Oh… and let me add that they can’t seem to conceive that we may actually know things about car and home repairs, tools, taxes, etc.
I battled this in my marriage more than I will ever stand for again. My Wasband couldn’t tell you the difference between a broom and a hammer but always had an opinion on the right way to do things. All the tools in the house are mine.
He never did a single load of laundry in all the years we were together, but always had a speech about the ‘right’ way to do it, same as the dinners he never once ever made. I would get a NYT-style food critic review for meals he had no idea how much work and love I poured in to them. He only ever ordered pizza when I wasn’t there to feed everyone. But what I always got was an essay about how I could have improved this or that about my cooking. The man burns toast ffs.
I’m a trained chef. 😳
Image source: LoveToSeeIt_IKnow
#66
That we are just naturally better at certain types of chores or we have like special eyes that can see spills that you can’t see.
Image source: Consistent_Phase_942
#67
That being persistent after the first “no” will somehow garner a different response.
You will get a different response eventually, directly to the nuts or face.
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#68
They don’t fart.
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#69
Women always want expensive or high status men.
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#70
That we want men with money, muscles, and height, and that’s our only selection criteria.
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#71
That it takes 5min to do makeup .
Image source: throwawaygirlstripbf
#72
I don’t know about mythical, but my ex boyfriend was grossed out when I told him I can grow a happy trail on my stomach just like men do lol. He was lucky I preferred the look and feel of having no body hair, cause I considered growing it out just to shatter his illusion of women even further.
Image source: Superb-Salad6323
#73
That we all hate each other and get jealous. I think other women are awesome!
I respect the hell out of my boyfriend’s ex, she sounds great! I wish my ex’s new girlfriend nothing but a wonderful life!
Image source: Crusty_Candles
#74
That we care about height. My guy, I care more about how you treat animals and humans more than anything.
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#75
Being quiet or not interested isn’t us playing hard to get.
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#76
That we are “too emotional” for the hard jobs and that we aren’t strong enough to lead.
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#77
That we go to the bathroom together to talk about you. Babe we’re just making sure we don’t go alone to a place full of strangers.
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#78
That feeling and acknowledging our emotions somehow precludes us from being logical. Not so.
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#79
That we all value men on wealth,
I don’t personally.
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#80
That women on the internet are real.
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#81
That we all have “rosters” or “rotations” of men we’re entertaining behind our boyfriends’ backs.
Or, in the same vein, that we can’t be friends with a man without it meaning we’re cheating with him or secretly have feelings for him.
Or, also in the same vein, that any time we go out, we’re hooking up with other guys. And if we go out with the girls, we’re all covering for each other’s cheating.
Image source: Capital-Intention369
#82
That we’re all miserable if we don’t have a man in our life and our one life goal is to get married.
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#83
That we have no feelings. We do. We are often very emotional and mask it.
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#84
If a man is talking to an attractive woman, he has a romantic interest in her. This got old when I was single, I just like to talk to people.
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#85
That we are all dumb and emotionless.
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#86
That we can easily find a good looking and decent guy to either date or sleep with and that we’re just being picky for no reason.
Guys are FAR more judgemental when it comes to looks in regards to dating. That’s why there’s no genderswapped beauty and the beast.
Image source: MuggseyBaloney
#87
Submissiveness.
Image source: Sisyphet
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