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In 1992, relationship counselor Dr. John Gray published his most famous book, Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus. You don’t need to read it to grasp the fundamental principle that males and females are starkly different species of humans. 

Of course, these disparities may lead to surprising discoveries about each other. Today, we’re focusing on the ladies and their most eye-opening realizations about their male counterparts. 

These women on Reddit candidly shared their thoughts in a thread from a year ago. Their responses ranged from superficial quirks that caught their attention to more profound existential observations. 

As always, enjoy scrolling through this list. Ladies, feel free to chime in. Gentlemen, this should give us all a good insight into how the opposite s*x sees us.

#1

Man gazing thoughtfully out a rainy window, wearing a maroon sweater, symbolizing introspection about surprising things women learn. They’re really good at hiding just how sad they are.

BadMermaidCop , rawpixel.com Report

Corvus
Community Member
9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Centuries of "boys don't cry" upbringing have consequences.

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    #2

    Woman sitting on an orange couch, holding her stomach, reflecting on surprising things about men. When I was in my early 20s I struggled with stomach issues and was always holding in farts. I was convinced no man would want stinky me. To my surprise, no man I dated has ever cared. When I told my first serious boyfriend I was so scared and said I needed to talk to him. He looked very worried. Then when I told him he roared with laughter and demanded a demonstration. .

    MeowMeow9927 , SkelDry Report

    #3

    Woman and man in a kitchen, holding cups, sharing insights about men. They aren't good at getting hints. Most of the time they need to be asked directly to do something.

    YSleepyHead , freepik Report

    David Jeffery
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I still don't understand why women have a problem with this? If you want a cup of tea, ask for one. Don't just say "is the kettle on?" It isn't nagging, it's asking

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    #4

    Man in a black shirt with a shoulder bag, standing outdoors and smiling, representing surprising things about men. They are extremely susceptible to compliments. You know those everyday compliments women give each other without a second thought, well men rarely get them. So when you do give them one it is a 100 times more effective. Want to have a man in a good mood all day, compliment him on something.

    violetcazador , krakenimages.com Report

    Doctor Strange
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember the last time I got an unsolicited compliment on my appearance. I was 6 years old. I'm over 40 now.

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    #5

    Man sitting on a gray sofa in a living room, looking thoughtful, reflecting on surprising aspects about men. When you ask a guy what he’s thinking about and he says “nothing” believe him. He really is just not thinking about anything in particular.

    writer978 , user25451090 Report

    HurlWurk
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Alternatively, when I say nothing, it means something that you have already shown you don't care about/aren't interested in, but it's important to me, so rather then hear you c**p on it, nothing is the answer.

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    #6

    Two men happily fist-bumping outdoors, illustrating surprising things to know about men. Men can have super deep bonds with each other, even though they don't show it at all. My grandpa was such a serious man: a shop teacher, a shipbuilder in Seattle during WWII, then he fished tuna from the boat he built.
    After he had to retire from his boat, he did woodwork in the garage. He had a neighbor who would stop by the garage shop every single day and shoot the breeze with him.
    His neighbor died suddenly. I can't forget grandpa sobbed. He was the most stern person ever, but he sobbed at the loss of that daily visit with his neighbor, that his friend died. That daily visit was a lifeblood to him.
    [Edited to correct "shopbuider" to shipbuilder. Added the stateside shipyard location, b/c not a veteran].

    Federal-Rhubarb1800 , simonapilolla Report

    David
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh we show the bonds, guys know it when we see it. We just show it differently than women, but other guys pick up on it.

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    #7

    “It’s Almost Creepy”: 37 Times Women Made Surprising Discoveries About Men How much abuse they take, and lack of support about it.

    anon , freepik Report

    #8

    Man in deep thought with a tear on his cheek, illustrating surprising emotions. I hated learning just how much men's emotions, especially crying from either sadness, stress or even profound joy are ridiculed and suppressed.

    Easy_Indication7146 , freepik Report

    #9

    Man with a beard smiling and chatting with a woman, discussing surprising things about men. How few compliments or acknowledgements they get. Now I make an effort to compliment or acknowledge them even if it’s a simple thing like “that colour really suits you”, “you have a great sense of humour” or “thanks for helping me, I really do appreciate you”. It must be genuine though!

    FeaturelessFloof , ASDFpik Report

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    #10

    “It’s Almost Creepy”: 37 Times Women Made Surprising Discoveries About Men That there are a lot of men out there who love and treat women with personhood and respect. I was abused as a child and teen by some ugly-hearted people and my father. It took an amazing boyfriend to show me the light. Thank you, babe ❤️ It sucks how our perspective on the opposite sex can be so marred by the abusive. Not all men!

    Puzzled_News5270 , freepik Report

    Isabel Galvez
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They're many amazing men out there who will cherish you and protect you and love you.

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    #11

    “It’s Almost Creepy”: 37 Times Women Made Surprising Discoveries About Men Their innate goodness, they bear the brunt of so many things.

    Most men, most of the time, are protectors, even protecting others from themselves and what they’re struggling with in the inside.

    Their physical and mental strength can be amazing.

    zaftig_stig , freepik Report

    Monica G
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yet there is still so much abuse perpertrated on women

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    #12

    Couple embracing on a couch, woman with closed eyes and man wearing a patterned sweater. Every man I've ever met really enjoys being a little spoon 😊.

    Suspicious-Gear-1736 , freepik Report

    HTakeover
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Everyone likes being little spoon sometimes. It's comforting, it's security. It's a dangerous game to be big spoon behind a man but at least your abs will get a warm massage occasionally, lol.

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    #13

    “It’s Almost Creepy”: 37 Times Women Made Surprising Discoveries About Men Upon reading the survey results, I was taken aback by the number of men who expressed a desire to become stay-at-home dads. It was surprising to learn how many men would like to take on the role traditionally associated with women.

    Much-More , dusanpetkovic Report

    Lost Panda
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Due to the economy, my wife is no longer stay at home (was her choice before the negativity flows in), but I would give anything to be able to have been a stay at home dad when my children were little. I feel like I missed out on so much, and I get so much more fulfillment from being home and doing chores, etc. than being in the work force... pipe dreams I guess...

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    #14

    Couple intimately embracing, touching noses, highlighting interactions between men and women. That their reasons for cheating are rarely because the mistress was hotter or something. It’s simply because they want to feel desired. Women waste so much time comparing their attractiveness to some other woman. For most men the most irresistible woman is the one who adores you the most ( unless it’s your mom).

    Accomplished_Bug7431 , gpointstudio Report

    Like It Is
    Community Member
    9 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Desired and Respected are definitely powerful attractants. Contrary to post modern sensibilities, men and women need each other and the desire to be needed is powerful when embraced. The point isn't a justification of infidelity... It is a focus on what is important in a relationship- Beauty fades - Make someone feel special and that equates to 'beauty"

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    #15

    Man and woman discussing work at a desk, with the woman looking thoughtful and attentive in an office setting. That I experience significantly less misogyny at my oilfield job than my friend does at her office job with more liberal men. Most of my girlfriends want to hear that I experience misogyny often and am out fighting the good fight for women’s rights but that’s just not really true. The s**t bags I’ve encountered are s****y to everyone so it has nothing to do with me being a woman. Most of the guys out here are happy to teach me stuff and want to see me succeed.

    Moona_Death_Trap , KamranAydinov Report

    XenoMurph
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "more liberal men" if they are misogynists, they are not liberal.

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    #16

    Man on rocky terrain flexing his muscles against a cloudy sky, illustrating surprising things about men. They fantasize about saving people, mostly people they love. Sometimes they save the earth by sacrificing themselves.
    I giggled when my boyfriend told me, it's cute.

    giuli4 , atlascompany Report

    MalayDragon
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NGL - OP you may have missed the subtle look of hurt in your mans eyes after you "giggled" at this. Not an attack, simply an observation from a man, that is on topic.

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    #17

    A man with curly hair and a beard, wearing a gray sweater, sits with his hand on his forehead, next to a potted plant. So much of the comments follow the pattern of “omg men are human too?!”.

    Lucifer_Davido , freepik Report

    "Disembodied voice"
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So many of the lists of men/women stuff boil down to "omg they also experience [fundamental human thing]?!"

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    #18

    “It’s Almost Creepy”: 37 Times Women Made Surprising Discoveries About Men That in the US, men still have to register with selective service before 26. I knew it existed, because my dad was only a few numbers away from going to Vietnam, but I thought it had ended in the '70s. Turns out, it had for a bit back then, but is active currently.

    I was embarrassed that I didn't know (no man around me mentioned anything, not even my very anti war ex), and felt angry that men still have to do it. I don't think anyone should have to, and it should be ended.

    Let the robots destroy each other.

    272027 , freepik Report

    Dirk Daring
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Before 26? In my day, we were marched to the Post Office the minute we turned 18.

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    #19

    “It’s Almost Creepy”: 37 Times Women Made Surprising Discoveries About Men When they are staring off looking as if deep in thought...their minds are blank. Don't ask what they are thinking because it's usually nothing.

    Ok-Noise4969 , karlyukav Report

    Tobias Reaper
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    either nothing or we are thinking about a scenario where we save the day Die hard style

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    #20

    “It’s Almost Creepy”: 37 Times Women Made Surprising Discoveries About Men That men can have a low libido or not always want sex. It took me a long time to accept that my husband's lack of desire wasn't specific to me, he just wasn't feeling sexual at those times, because the societal expectation that men always want sex and will be ready to go whenever sex is initiated. It's certainly held true with the majority of my male lovers, including and especially the one with ED. But it's also normal to NOT be that way.

    The societal expectation also shows up when the topic of his low libido comes up as everyone wants to help fix him. There is nothing wrong with my husband, his testosterone is fine, he's not on meds that would stifle his libido, etc. He's a perfectly normal, healthy human. With a low libido.

    I'm a high libido woman, always have been but once I hit my 40s, hoooo boy did it get enhanced with the boom in confidence that came with the age. I recently asked my husband when was the last time he thought about sex, he couldn't remember. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't have sexual thoughts. Many times a day!! So it's hard to wrap my head around a brain that doesn't. Not because there is anything wrong with it, it's just completely different from how my brain works and how I expected a man's brain to work.

    O_mightyIsis , wavebreakmedia_micro Report

    Luke Branwen
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm a man on the asexual spectrum. According to a lot of people, no such thing exists.

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    #21

    Woman and man sharing a tender moment, capturing a surprising discovery about men in a cozy, festive setting. They're much more sensitive and get attached easier than I thought.

    anon , anderson76 Report

    kitten levels tokyo
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We are basically a sack of emotions wrapped up in a desire for compliments.

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    #22

    “It’s Almost Creepy”: 37 Times Women Made Surprising Discoveries About Men That men have a full blown list of unspoken rules and protocols about using  urinals. Even if there are walls for privacy.

    KiwiBoomSource , evening_tao Report

    #23

    A couple snuggling under a blue blanket, capturing a tender moment of intimacy and connection. Many of them actually are romantics and sentimental - they were just taught to suppress that and act ‘tough’ they’re whole lives.

    anon , Toa Heftiba Report

    R1MV4Superleggera
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    *Rising hand* Your Honour! I would like to declare myself, without any shadow of a doubt, guilty of romanticism against the Queen of my castle, my undisputed better half, the owner of my paychecks, the future mother of my little hellrisers, etc, etc, etc 😊

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    #24

    Man applying face cream, highlighting surprising grooming habits. That there are men out there that refuse to take care of themselves because they think it's gay or feminine

    (This could be about personal hygiene as well as mental health or anything really).

    Kuromi-rika , zinkevych Report

    Shane S
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you want a girl to go near it, wash it. And when you’re done showering, it shouldn’t matter what end of the towel you use because your nether regions should be just as clean as your face.

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    #25

    Man in a pink shirt smelling yellow flowers in a garden setting. That many of them would actually really like receiving flowers or something sweet that has generally been deemed “just for women” by society.

    early_onset_villainy , svetochka-ru Report

    Lost Panda
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can vouche for this. When my wife gave me my lemon tree as a "just because" gift, I was estatic

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    #26

    “It’s Almost Creepy”: 37 Times Women Made Surprising Discoveries About Men That when a man shuts down during an argument, it's not because he doesn't care. It's sometimes because he cares too much and is overwhelmed with "flooding" - increased heart rate/blood pressure, increase in stress hormones, etc. It's such an aversive feeling that many men will withdraw from an argument so the negative physiological arousal doesn't get worse. Meanwhile, women get frustrated because they think the guy is ignoring her, leading to a "demand/withdraw" cycle that can lead to nasty results. The moral: if your dude is withdrawing from an argument, let him be for a bit.

    Ok_Minimum_5962 , Wavebreak Media Report

    Johnnynatfan
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tell this to my wife. She does not understand what the words "leave me alone" mean. When someone whether man or woman tells you to leave them alone berating them or trying to continue to argue will get you no where.

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    #27

    “It’s Almost Creepy”: 37 Times Women Made Surprising Discoveries About Men Apparently it's difficult to control the stream while peeing and sometimes there's a double stream and you guys can't really do anything about it while peeing?

    MikrokosmicUnicorn , EyeEm Report

    #28

    “It’s Almost Creepy”: 37 Times Women Made Surprising Discoveries About Men The first time most men get flowers is at their funeral

    Send your boys flowers yall.

    Bitsy34 , freepik Report

    Schmebulock
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Forget the flowers and send the little box of chocolates!

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    #29

    Man exercising at the gym in a black tank top, performing a seated twist with a barbell. Strength. It was jarring and surprising to see childhood friend who is same age being able to lift me up and throw me into foam pit at the gym after being same strength just 3-4 years before. It's incredible how once puberty takes off they get so much stronger while I bust my a*s in gym so much I cannot reach close to that level.

    I guess it is what it is.

    Late-Let-4221 , milanmarkovic Report

    Isabel Galvez
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I do lots of sports and I feel great... until I see my husband carry things with one hand I can't even pick up, with no effort of his part whatsoever.

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    #30

    A woman looking at a man in a thoughtful moment, capturing unexpected insights about men. When they tell you upfront that they are an awful person, believe them. They are telling the truth.

    … also keep your distance from the man that says that.

    anon , freepik Report

    Space Invader
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Careful with this one. He might be suffering from depression and low self esteem.

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    #31

    How many seemingly settle for someone they don't love just to avoid being alone.

    Outside_Ad_9562 Report

    Christina Born
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My husband did this with his ex and ended up fathering a baby. Then he married her because he was scared to lose his kid. 16 miserable years later, she finally divorced him when she no longer needed his income. Cheated on him through the whole thing. Shot his confidence to pieces.

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    #32

    That they are soft and venurable just as much as we are and they also need compliments.

    Logical-Hovercraft83 Report

    Ace
    Community Member
    9 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Took me far too long, like several seconds, to work out 'vulnerable'. Went through venerable, venereal and a couple of others before I got there. Must have a poxy old brain, I guess.

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    #33

    They have a much stronger sense of loyalty than women do.

    Lucky_Charm8020 Report

    Maria Maria
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is that why they cheat on their spouse much more commonly than women do? Why many men leave their children but women usually don't? Why so many men leave their wives of 30 years for their hot secretary? Sorry but this does not make sense.

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    #34

    That some men have no idea about how periods work, why we have them, that we have 3 holes and what discharge is.

    anon Report

    #35

    Still haven’t seen this one, so posting. I’m a man by the way.

    Men are a little more polite to each other than women seem to be, because bad interactions can, on rare occasions, devolve into physical violence. And that violence can be life threatening, owing to their (generally speaking) greater muscle mass and testosterone level.

    This violence avoidance/awareness is in the deep background, pretty much all the time.

    mrequenes Report

    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Women know this fact very, very well. We are much more polite to men than we really want to be, as we don't want to get killed either

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    #36

    That a large majority of men have "specific" friends, not general friends.

    This Meaning, a man can have 3 specific hobbies he enjoys in his life. He will have 3 specific friends for each hobbie, but those friends are not friends for all 3 hobbies, only the one. For example, if he's into sports. He will have a good friend who always loves to go to sporting topics with him, but that friend won't ALSO be a gaming friend AND a sports friend. The man will just have a different friend for gaming who also DOESNT involve himself in sports.

    Women have friends who just do whatever, whenever together, because we are just enjoying each other's company while also doing some random activities as a group. We can be into many topics, and 1 friend can join us on those many topics without being interested in ALL the topics. For example, a woman can have a bestie who isn't into makeup but would still join their bestie on a makeup activity solely because their bestie is interested in it and they want to enjoy their time with their friend.

    Guys will enjoy their time with their friends but only on specific topics they both are interested in. So if men do not have multiple friends, they usually don't branch out on their own to meet newer friends for newer activites and end up being lonely.

    (I'm aware this doesn't include ALL men and that there are several men who have 1 best friend that does activies with them).

    NMPotoreiko Report

    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So... women don't have specific friends? I have friends for specific things. Some I'm more interested in chatting with than others. I have friends I can chat about the paranormal and politics. A friend who wants nothing than to rant about her job and play simple online games. A friend I go to just to get info on things I know nothing about.Work friends I get along with at work but don't get into any heavy topics with.

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    #37

    Man in a sleeveless shirt looking at his reflection in a bathroom mirror. They’re surprisingly so much more insecure than us women are. Perhaps it’s the unreasonable social standards that they are expected to reach? As a girl I’m insecure about my appearance and body and sometimes likability, but those too are momentary, they disappear when I dress pretty or when I’m with friends.

    But every man I meet has so many insecurities. It’s from height, to weight to hair to facial features to wearing spectacles, then their jobs, their income and assets. Where I work is kind of a big company in my country but my boss, who is quite a young lad with a PhD is so insecure about what people talk about him! It’s crazy because he calls for staff meetings to tell us not to gossip about him. A guy I met for a date insisted his height was 5. 8” although he was clearly around my height when I was in heels. I literally didn’t care about his height and I didn’t even ask him! But he wanted to tell me that while we were talking and I just went “Okay!”

    Like guys, I’m sorry the society expects so much from you but don’t let that hurt you, y’all are okay. And guys I hope you complement each other too! Hype each other up! Life’s not a competition!

    NobodyButMyself357 , EyeEm Report

    Data1001
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a guy, I agree that in general, men are probably very insecure -- but I would guess that the women who wrote this is an outlier, as I bet the percentage of women who are insecure is also pretty high.

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