Women Are Sharing “Normal” Real-Life Experiences That Would Blow Any Man’s Mind
As women, we navigate a world filled with unique challenges and experiences that men traditionally never have to think twice about. So, when Reddit user Unfair_Quantity1413 asked, “What are some things that are normal to women but mind-blowing to men?” the thread quickly filled with eye-opening insights from women who shared their everyday realities.
From the constant vigilance we maintain for safety to the complexities of our health and societal expectations, the responses shed light on the unseen aspects of women’s lives. These stories not only highlight the stark differences in experiences but also offer a chance for understanding and empathy. Whether you’re looking to better appreciate these challenges or simply gain new perspective, these candid revelations will leave you thinking. Here are some of the most impactful and thought-provoking responses from the thread.
1. “Standing in line to use a restroom is the usual case.”
“Sometimes there are lines inside women’s bathrooms. I once went to the bathroom to pee and came out around 10 minutes later. My male friends asked why I took so long. I said because the line was long. They laughed at me and accused me of lying.”
2. “If you take your eyes off your drink for a second, you should probably just chuck it out.”
3. “For better or worse, unsolicited attention from the opposite sex.”
4. “Questioning whether or not we could run away to safety in the footwear we’re buying, and using that answer to factor into our decision.”
5. “Women and their girlfriends having to track each other on apps after nights out, at the gym, or almost any activity in public just to make sure they all get home OK.”
6. “Period pain levels.”
“Walking around acting normal while you’re bleeding, fatigued, cramping, and more. If someone experienced those symptoms because of anything else, they’d be on sick leave or at least communicating to people how they’re unwell. But nope, suck it up and go about your day like your uterus isn’t trying to murder you.”
7. “Professionally speaking: getting dismissed, ignored, or overlooked (usually in favor of a man). I work in IT and was trying to set up a new phone system. My male boss put me in charge because I had just done something similar at my previous job. Anyway, I kept telling him that my contact at the company we were switching to kept ignoring me and calling my questions stupid when he would answer me. My boss heard me but didn’t fully understand the issue until he saw it happen.”
“I sent an email asking a question that was ignored. He sent an email asking the same question and received an immediate answer. My boss’ jaw just dropped. He immediately apologized and said that while he knew it happened, he’d never actually seen it done before. He was mortified and sent an email to that contact at the phone company saying, “When she asks a question, she better get the same attention and response that you would give me.” Until that moment he thought it was something that only happened in theory. It blew his mind that it was real.”
8. “Always being doubted in what you have to say because of your gender.”
9. “Giving birth to another human.”
“Men can say, ‘I want a baby’ or ‘Let’s try for a baby’ and only have to orgasm for that to happen. His partner will then carry the weight of a growing fetus in her uterus, which is painful, scary, and uncomfortable and can have permanent effects on your health and body. Some moms don’t lose the pregnancy weight. Some moms have severe postpartum depression. Some moms’ bodies never fully bounce back, and way more after the baby is born.”
10. “Discharge can bleach underwear — not stain [it can] actually remove color.”
11. “Being afraid walking down a street at night, for the most part.”
12. “I’m more likely to get pushback when I ask a customer-facing person for anything. Bring in a tall, decent-looking guy, and suddenly, there are zero arguments. I’ll sometimes purposefully ask my guy friends to speak for me to save time and heartache, especially when dealing with handymen or car salesmen types.”
13. “Going to the doctor for a legitimate problem only to be treated as dramatic, lying, attention-seeking, depressed, or overweight, and then outright dismissed because you are female and not getting the help you need.”
14. “Thinking about personal safety, a lot.”
15. “Recently, a guy friend didn’t get why I got my ID out of my wallet and put it in my pocket to go for a walk. I said I always have my ID if I leave my apartment. He didn’t understand why I needed to do that just to go for a walk. So, I explained it would make it easier to identify my body. He thought I was being morbid.”
16. “Not parking next to a van, especially one with sliding doors. I drove away from a perfectly fine space close to the shop entrance, to one that was walking distance away at the other side of the car park. My husband was in the car and asked why. I said, ‘So I don’t park by the van.’ He’s like, ‘Oh yeah, don’t want them to bump the doors.’ I’m like, ‘No, so I don’t get abducted!’ It never crossed his mind as a man, yet it’s something I do automatically.”
17. “Sharing Uber rides is another one. I once had a driver bungle the instructions and go a weird way to get me home. I had location share turned on with my friend out of habit and she called me to ask why I was on such an unusual route.”
18. “How common miscarriage is. My husband wasn’t worried at all and then we went in for our first ultrasound last week and there was no heartbeat. We were almost in the second trimester.”
19. “Women have to approach every first date as a potentially life-threatening event and go in with a variety of exit and self-defense strategies in case things go sideways.”
“I always share my location with a friend and first date is always in public. I also won’t let a guy pick me up for a date for the first few weeks until I feel semi-certain he won’t murder me. Dating is so fun.”
20. “Dieting and losing no weight or gaining weight while your male partner drops 30 pounds, no problem.”
21. “Locking your car immediately when you get in it, before seatbelt or putting the key in.”
22. “IUDs are inserted without any kind of anesthetic. If you’re lucky, they warn you to take some Advil beforehand. Then they grab your cervix with metal tongs and force it open.”
23. “Regularly getting catcalled. Yeah sure, you might think it’s completely innocent but more often it’s degrading and makes women feel uncomfortable.”
24. “Nonexistent or useless pockets in clothes.”
“This is a big one! That’s why if a woman finds a dress she likes that ALSO has good pockets, you better believe she’s gonna show ’em to ya!”
“How often we would rather have pockets than carry around a purse.”
25. “Having to be cautious and having coping skills for so many daily situations, like walking home at night and changing the street because someone is walking behind you; having your keys between your fingers in case you have to defend yourself; faking or doing phone calls; avoiding certain areas that are too dark; going different ways to avoid people; packing an extra oversized shirt for the way home from a party or club; and telling a friend and sharing your location when going on a date with someone you don’t know yet. The list goes on and on…”
