30 Things That Are Unimaginable For Women, Yet Are Absolutely Normal For Men

In a 2018 Times opinion essay 'The Boys Are Not All Right,' American actor, comedian, and writer Michael Ian Black wrote: "The past 50 years have redefined what it means to be female in America. Girls today are told that they can do anything, be anyone. They've absorbed the message: They're outperforming boys in school at every level. But it isn't just about performance. To be a girl today is to be the beneficiary of decades of conversation about the complexities of womanhood, its many forms and expressions."

"Boys, though, have been left behind. No commensurate movement has emerged to help them navigate toward a full expression of their gender. It's no longer enough to 'be a man' — we no longer even know what that means."

Also, surveys from around the world find that males everywhere are reluctant to talk about their mental health and are far more likely to die by suicide than females.

Interested in the everyday implications of this, Reddit user Workdncsheets posted a question on the platform, asking "What are some things that are normal to men but mind-blowing to women?" and it immediately went viral. Here are some of the most popular replies among the 2.8K comments they've received.

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30 Things That Are Unimaginable For Women, Yet Are Absolutely Normal For Men I'm 39. I started down an entirely new career path in mid-January. I've had horrible imposter syndrome since day 1 but the new job feels good. My boss (who happens to be a woman) sent me the nicest most complimentary email thanking me for being such a good addition to the team and I sincerely cried because in all my years in the workforce nobody has ever appreciated me so much. I imagine to her it was just one of those things a good boss does - "hey, my employee did a good job, I should tell them!" I sent it to my dad when he asked me how the new job was going. Even HE cried out of pride. Men don't get compliments, and when we do, we really feel it.

GWindborn , Tom Pumford Report

Final score:

180points

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Doctor Strange 8 months ago

Men don't get compliments. I can remember the last time I got an unsolicited compliment on my looks. I remember it clear as day. I was 6 years old. I'm 40 now.

80points

Caro Caro 8 months ago

You did great today and your smile is so lovely.

15points

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Do-nut touch da donut 8 months ago

NOPE were fixing that rn. You are amazing and im so glad you are here :D im wishing you a happy march and a lofe full of well deserved compliments

8points

Ms.GB 8 months ago (edited)

Not a lot of male bosses give compliments either. My boss gave me like 2 compliments over the decade that I worked for him and I could tell he was super embarrassed to do it but he wanted to keep me so...his wife on the other hand gave me compliments on my work all the time. It's funny though because his 2 compliments meant a lot to me, I felt like the child who's father finally told them they were proud of them.

2points

Fembot 8 months ago

Well done for opening up to us and showing a vulnerable side. Even if it’s online: it’s practicing a good habit, keep it up.

1point

Ian Clark 8 months ago

So true, I remember some quaint compliments I got decades ago. There's like 3 in my life time.

0points

Me, Myself, and I (She/Her) 8 months ago

You probably will never see this: But remember that you are amazing and you matter!

0points

Mimi M 8 months ago

You are beautiful.

0points

Connor 8 months ago

remember your beautiful and have a nice day

0points

MaximumKarmaSaint 8 months ago

Yeah, heck, it's gotten so bad that some men apparently count insults as...compliments.....

0points

Jayjay 8 months ago

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Ephemera Image 8 months ago

Really, I don't think this is a 'man' thing - men give compliments is transactional with pretty women, but they don't compliment women for doing a good job or being good at anything else. As a woman in the workplace, I've seldom gotten compliments from anyone about anything. So this is not a gender thing, it's just the way things are now.

7points

Gustav Gallifrey 8 months ago

Men don't get compliments, and it makes us very suspicious when someone does give one. What are they after? What are they setting me up for? Who's scheming what against me?

4points

Papa 8 months ago

You may feel that way, but I don't believe that's typical.

1point

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WonderWoman 8 months ago

Men may not get the compliments but they get the raises and promotions.

3points

CrunChewy McSandybutt 8 months ago

I try to compliment men as much as I can. I'm 51, so they rarely take it as flirting, so that's a bonus.

3points

whaaaaaaaaaa 8 months ago

This is not unimaginable. Many women and girls never receive compliments either. They're not good enough :/

2points

Jessica Shookhoff 8 months ago

Men don't get compliments. Not even from their partners? Cause I tell mine just about every day how attractive he is or how kind, thoughtful, funny, strong. Although, maybe men don't get compliments from their partners that often. When I told mine that I loved his beautiful blue eyes, he said that's first time any one ever said that to him. Now that I'm really thinking about it, that's pretty messed up. If your partner is a man or male presenting, tell him something really nice about himself! Make it a habit. It's easy and people always look so beautiful when their faces light up with joy from being told something nice about themselves!

1point

N. 8 months ago

I always make sure to compliment the men (and women) in my life. Everyone needs it. Some days it's EXACTLY what a person needs. I try to make sure to say every good thought about people that pops in my head... No filters for the good stuff! 🌞

1point

Bill Hankel 8 months ago

I certainly don't get a lot of compliments, but when you do get a sincere one, it feels good. That old saying is true: People won't always remember what you said or did, but will always remember how you make them feel.

1point

Tracy Wallick 8 months ago

If compliments were water, men would be dying of thirst in the desert and women would be getting waterboarded. It sucks.

1point

Natalia 7 months ago

Men don't get compliments because we don't want them thinking we're hitting on them when we're just trying to be nice.

0points

Stephanie Barr 7 months ago

My son, autistic and with a very young mind, gets compliments all the time. ALL THE TIME. (He is a good looking guy). He comes across as (and is) harmless. I feel for men never getting compliments but just like many men use them as a way of flirting, women are often afraid to give compliments in case it comes across as flirting. In a way, it's something men built themselves. Still, I know it's destructive and, since I'm an old fat lady who walks around with her tall son all the time, I do give compliments to men like I do with women.

0points

Sven Horlemann 8 months ago

I got 2 teams in 3 countries working for me. I treat everyone equal, watch them, watch out for them. If you are willing to scold them, be willing to praise them. Actually quite easy, I find. No idea why I should differentiate between men / women. So I don't.

0points

kathleen pool 8 months ago

Good for you. Compliments are free, easy, and usually make an impression on the people receiving them ( as long as they are genuine). I don't understand why it is so difficult for some people

1point

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HighNMightyBigshot 8 months ago

I had some cards made up that said “You are scandalously gorgeous” (no contact info just the compliment) I always got the biggest smiles in response.

0points

Zelda McLink 8 months ago

I compliment my husband all the time.

0points

Jan Olsen 8 months ago

I think that depends on where you live.

0points

Sinnsyk Jakte 8 months ago

I compliment men all the time. 'Course, that's 'cause i compliment people all the time...

0points

Mr_Devious 8 months ago

I actually get uncomfortable when someone compliments my work. Even if it was a huge deal, I can only say, "No problem, it really wasn't a big deal." I guess we don't know how to appreciate ourselves.

0points

Roger9er 8 months ago

I do get a compliment every now and then from my wife and both my daughter. Very nice to hear. I also try to be complimentary to them.

0points

InfiniteZeek 8 months ago

The only person who compliments me is my wife. I love her 😊

0points

Carl 8 months ago

I have been programmed through repetition that compliments segue into people wanting something. At work, complimenting a skill means by the end of the conversation, you'll want me to use that skill outside the scope of my normal duties. Outside of work isn't much different, but also includes financing their bad decisions. I used to like helping friends but those streets always ended up going one way. Then they get upset when I stop? My trust issues are too deeply ingrained to accept sincere compliments anymore.

-1point