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Remember how John Gray said that men and women are from distinct planets – it is still believed by our society that no matter how hard we try, women won't understand men and vice versa. The common idea is that women are much more communicative and tend to express their feelings, whereas men are seen as more introverted and even apathetic. The myth about women and men having different brains has been busted, so how could it be explained that we both have such behavioral differences? 

One neuropsychiatrist suggested that the male brain reads emotions very quickly and then shuts it down behind the mask of masculinity. So, could it be that those differences come from the toxic societal norms? While our world is slowly trying to introduce a healthy atmosphere towards its people, an online user decided to find things out through men themselves and asked the community: "men of Reddit, what's the most difficult thing to explain to women?"

The question received 13.4K upvotes and 8.3K comments where men listed a bunch of random things that they personally had a hard time explaining to women. However, If there's anything on your mind that you would like to add, don't hesitate to comment down below.

More info: Reddit

#1

That, despite what movies/TV/literature hammer into your brains, fathers can be emotionally available, engaged, great parents.
 
I'm the sole parent of a son and two daughters and I've had to listen to "what does mom think of her getting this haircut?", and "tell mom to schedule an appointment" for years.
 
Mom's in a halfway house you f%*kwit, and I'm plenty capable of making decisions for my own children.

TecumsehSherman , Alice Keeler Report

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Lord Mysticlaw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well done good sir. I do know that there are many fantastic fathers our there, single or not. And as a single mother I also hate the assumptions about "mom stuff" and "dad stuff"... really, do not even get me started on that subject.

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    #2

    That many men only have meaningful physical contact with their SO.
     
    Single men often exist in touch isolation. For a variety of reasons and social pressures, many men experience a lack of physical contact.
     
    Most men I know won't even feel comfortable hugging their best friend. For a long time, the only physical contact I had with other people was either sexual or a part of a competitive sport. Getting closer to middle age I've learned to hug my friends and have platonic physical contact.
     
    It really helped my mental health. I used to feel alone all the time even when I was with friends. Hug your male friends and help them normalize platonic physical affection.

    zzSc0tchzz , Iain Farrell Report

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    #3

    I do not pick up on "signals." Please ask us out or tell me, to my face, like a 5 year old, what you want or are thinking. I am kind of dumb.

    CptBifkin , Ewen Roberts Report

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    Elliot Fowler
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That probably won't be enough. Since the probabily of this happening is so rare, a man might think that this is a trick or prank. Kinda like finding a gold chest in the moddle of the road. Too good to be true

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    #4

    When I'm asked what I'm thinking about and I say nothing, it's because I'm usually thinking of something dumb like who would win a fight. Godzilla or Megatron?

    DisThrowaway5768 , Martin Lopatka Report

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    AJ
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I really enjoy asking my SO what he's thinking about right now. He's always thinking about something, he always replies when I ask and the subjects are so random!

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    #5

    That I really want to dress up in full plate armor and own a warhorse.

    BINGODINGODONG , Quinn Dombrowski Report

    #6

    When you ask me how my day was or what I did today, nothing in my day usually stands out as special, so I just dont remember. I usually dont remember what I do, I just live.

    Ok--Masterpiece , Tony Alter Report

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    Eb
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Chaps, I'm happy to share the secret with you. It's not a memory test, it's about feeling connected and (in a marriage or LTR) the shared life. You could talk about a thought you had, something you saw, an idea you had for the weekend. Just share.

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    #7

    When I tell you I don’t need anything for Christmas it really means you should get me the 7541 piece Lego Millennium Falcon set.

    familiarfate01 , Chris Devers Report

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    Terilee Bruyere
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This kind of goes against the "I don't pick up on signals" bit. Just say what kind of thing you want. You don't need to get specific but just say "I'd like something like _____".

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    #8

    That I feel like a creep just by simply existing. I'm always so worried I'm making someone uncomfortable just because I'm a sorta tall, kinda big guy just quietly existing.

    I know it's because I've heard from so many people that "guys are such creeps" during middle/high school with no further explanation.

    Saviourality , SparkFun Electronics Report

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    Lord Mysticlaw
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Aw, this is sad. Personally, big quiet guys don't freak me out or make me uncomfortable, they're usually the ones I like. And I swear I really don't assume that "all guys are creeps", I really do give all people a fair chance. I know that the creepy guys make life difficult for the genuinely good guys, especially if you're the shy and quiet type, and it's really really sad.

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    #9

    I can’t tell if you’re flirting with me or not.

    note71 , Carlos Ebert Report

    #10

    That the more guys you have hanging out together, the dumber s!#t they get into increases exponentially.
     
    You get two guys, and they might throw a water balloon against a glass window, breaking it over the others face. Get four together, and they fire an airsoft gun into an empty room and break the lightbulb.
     
    God help you if you get more than that... And yes, those do seem to be very specific examples.

    Onlyhereforthelaughs , Stephanie Young Merzel Report

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    Immortal Emperor Paradox
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    True. In my engg. dorm, guys used to wear those containers used to store design sheets over their arms and legs and fight with each other believing they were transformers. Crazy days.

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    #11

    That they need to stop being so f%@king mean to themselves.

    par163 , Quinn Dombrowski Report

    #12

    That dudes can have a 2 hour conversation with each other (phone, down at the pub, playing online games) and not talk about any personal things.

    My SO finds it super bizarre that I can talk to my brother for an hour and not know how his family is going, how his work is, what holiday plans are. Sometimes some bros just want to talk about movies or make fart jokes.

    Russell James Smith , W2ttsy Report

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    Ozacoter
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you do it ocasionally thats great. But it sounds as if he never talks seriously to his brother. It is important to ask your loved ones how they are doing.

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    #13

    That when you can’t decide between two outfits and you ask us we literally would be ok with you wearing a garbage bag if it means the process could be sped up and we don’t leave the house by midnight.

    jco91595 , Ken Lund Report

    #14

    I still love you even though I can’t give you 100 reasons why I love you.

    HoplessAndLonely84 , Mr.TinDC Report

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    Sky Render
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We don't need a hundred reasons. Usually the answer we're after is something along the lines of "because you're you, and I wouldn't want to be with anyone else". (Don't you dare say that insincerely, though!)

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    #15

    I genuinely don't care where we go for dinner.

    Jolly_Sea_5587 , daveynin Report

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    Pheebs
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I argue with my hubs about going out. Why is it always my decision? Food is pain for me, just pick someplace you know won’t kill me and I’ll find something I can eat.

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    #16

    Lack of emotion doesn’t always mean lack of caring.

    PattyFlava269 , Maarten van Maanen Report

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    RNA
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not expressing emotions doesn't really mean there are none.

    Karis Ravenhill
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, but it's an excellent warning sign for the troves of sociopaths wandering among you.

    Troux
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is true but it's still unhealthy to always keep your emotions hidden. How else would someone know how you feel if you don't open up?

    Eb
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Problem is, how do other people know what's going on if you won't give any clues?

    Craig Reynolds
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Certain generations of men were told that expressing certain emotions was not masculine.

    I Liquored On
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I moved to a country where a frown is equivalent to a violent outburst. I learned to rein my s**t in quite quickly. When I visit my home country I come across as an emotionless robot for a day or two till I readjust.

    Patrick O'Harris
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My dad cant express his feeling like...at all. I cant remember him saying "I love you", just the german equivalent to "Love you too" (Ich dich auch; doesnt involve the german word for love) mostly. But he shows it by doing stuff. Building stuff from wood for me (which I always loved!), repairing my motorcycle or even pushing it through the rain because we dont know why it stopped and he doesnt want me to get wet in the rain. He knows I get sick like really quick. I remember him doing that and he was sick with a fever the next day. I brought him tea and apologized that he got sick for me. He looked at me and said "Well, better me than you."

    SeaShell
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think this goes both ways. Or, you know, multiple ways

    Camilla Koutsos
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It is part of communicating to express feelings though. Bad communication, or a lack of it, make for unhealthy relationships.

    Wednesday
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    flat affect externally can often hide a torrent underneath.

    Leesa DeAndrea
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But we are tired of trying to guess how you feel. Open your mouth & speak!

    Biba Little
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It hurts so much when relationship of many years break and my heart is broken, but he looks like he just gets on with his life, going out, looking happy, posting online... does he really not care? Lack of emotion? Men, is this really true?

    StnFlwr
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If he is afraid to give, then maybe he's not serious. Or just has issues that need addressing.

    DKS 001
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    true. And when women show lack of emotions, we're not bitches either

    Stoopham McFernybabes
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Does no one else see the contradiction here? Caring IS an emotion. I think this might be referring to how the emotion is presented outwardly, rather than the emotion itself.

    Fred Burrows
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I fell asleep during your tirade from the effort to keep emotions in my head

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    #17

    My missus met my oldest friend at a wedding early last year. Haven't seen him since, or for about ten years before, despite living about three miles away from each other.

    Just before the wedding, she asked me how come we never met up, I said "he's alive, isn't he?". Couple of days later at the actual wedding, she asked him the same things, and he also said "he's alive, isn't he?".

    She never understood that. Never managed to explain that to her.

    Fhjull-Forked-Tongue , sofubared Report

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    #18

    Why we can't coo qt babies like they do. I love babies they're the best. But if I do that in public people would give me weird looks.

    Tony Alter , Highlord_Kochei Report

    #19

    Idk if most difficult but it sure did took a while to explain to my ex that we don’t look at each other’s d!$ks at the urinals.

    itsOski13 , Jorge Report

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    Alan Gale
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The unwritten rules in a mens loo are really strict! No eye contact, no speaking, and definately no looking!

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    #20

    How two or more men can bond just by standing in a room in silence.

    ApatheistHeretic , schmeeve Report

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    Terilee Bruyere
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's not difficult. Have you ever seen that glance between two women when they hear a really crappy pick-up line? They are bonding as well.

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