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“Legroom On An Airplane”: 50 Quiet Rebellions That Redefine Microfeminism, One Small Act At A Time
Microfeminism is a strategy some women use to gently, yet meaningfully raise up other women in, often, male-dominated spaces. This can be everything from not defaulting to masculine pronouns to battling manspreading, but some folks get even more creative.
So some women turned to the internet to share the ways they practice “microfeminism” so others can try it too. Settle in, get comfortable as you scroll through, maybe take some notes if you see something useful and be sure to add your own thoughts and examples in the comments section down below.
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#1
As a teacher I start the day with a picture of a woman on the board, I ask my class to grab their laptops and find out who she is and what she did or does. We’ll have a little history lesson or a lesson about standing up for yourself etc. Women are often written from history, I write them back in. ✌🏼
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#2
Not laughing at sexist jokes 😐 I blink like a ferbie and play dumb. It didn’t take much practice because these dudes have like 3 jokes between them all from 1993
#3
Never cleaning the kitchen at the office. It’s nobody’s job, which means it’s not my job.
#4
If you see/meet another woman in passing and you think “wow she’s stunning”, or “she’s so well spoken”, or “I love her style”, simply tell her! Spread love to the women in your space ❤️
StrangeOne 4 months ago
If I see something about someone notable I will sometimes tell them. But I pay attention to their body language and what they have going on before I interrupt their time. Some people just don't want to be bothered.
#5
I refer to every judge, CEO, lawyer, doctor, detective, and more as “she” by default until and unless I’m corrected.
#6
When they're talking about how great men are at being providers and protectors I like to point out that it's "not all men"
StrangeOne 4 months ago (edited)
LOL I wouldn't say "great" as some men cower and run at the first instant they realize they need to be responsible with/and for someone else.
#7
Standing my ground on public transit vs the manspreader, leaner, snorer. Yes I will hip-chuck, shoulder nudge, or clap my hands to wake you up.
StrangeOne 4 months ago
I once went to the back of the bus to look for a seat and found 3 men taking up 5 seats with their spread out legs. I squished my skirt-donned butt in the bit of a seat between 2 of them. Then another big guy came along and just ignored me and nearly sat on me. I had to quickly stand up. As I rose up the big guy continued dipping down. I got up just in time for him to sit on my skirt, pulling it down in front of everyone. It all happened so fast. The guys just sat there with a cheeky grin, chuckling or shaking their head at me. From then on, I just tell men to excuse their legs and let me sit down. If not, I go find another spot. I still think about that time more than is healthy, but I can't help it.
#8
Putting my hand up like a traffic cop when male opposing counsel interrupts me in court and saying “stop”
#9
When I'm in the grocery check out and a man is encroaching in my space, I just turn to face them and dead eye stare till they back up.
#10
Looming. Sir, I have been short my entire life. You being taller than me doesn't make you right.
StrangeOne 4 months ago (edited)
This happens so much when men are in authority and you know you can't easily tell them to stop talking down to you. They make you feel like you're a small child who was caught scribbling on the walls or stealing candy from the convenience store. I'm not even that short. About average. But there's men well over 6' who use their height for unnecessary intimidation.
#11
Whenever a male coworker tells me his wife is pregnant I excitedly ask if he’s coming back to work after the baby is born. And then sit in the silence while they work through what just happened
StrangeOne 4 months ago
"Aww. Congrats. Are you going on paternity leave?" This may remind men that can be an option for them they can discuss with their spouse. Quite frankly, if the dad goes on paternity leave, then the mother is expected to go back to work soon after birth when she will have her own recovery time and adjustments to motherhood to endure. Her income would be slashed in half, and if her husband take paternity leave his pay will be take a hit. Having a new baby is not the time to have such drastic reductions in income. Of course, it will depend on the parent's situation of what they can feasibly do, and I don't think it's, really, anyone else's business.
#12
Refusing to default sports to men and requiring a qualifier for women (e.g., basketball and women’s basketball). If the Lakers are playing, I say men’s basketball is on. If I see someone wearing a Red Wings hat, I’ll ask if that’s their favorite men’s hockey team.
StrangeOne 4 months ago
My bf does that. He's actually one of the few that watches favourite team for both men's and women's football (not American), and is in full support of FIFA video games creating female characters. It's refreshing to hear from a man.
#13
In meetings, if someone suggests we take notes/minutes, I offer before the inevitable glance at any female colleagues.
#15
I don't know if this is considered micro, but I LOVE loudly pointing it out to anyone that can hear my booming voice, "I SEE YOU!" when they are sexually assaulting one of us with their eyes or when they're looking at underage girls. To watch them cower in embarrassment is one of the most powerful feelings. We're not going to ignore the predators trying to creep all around us anymore. We're calling that sh*t out!
#16
I stopped fake laughing at “jokes” and let them feel the awkward or I’ll ask in a genuine “I don’t get it- what do you mean” kind of way
Jill Rhodry 4 months ago
my response to 'it's just a joke' is ask them to explain it (so funny) and then tell them 'you forgot to be funny'
#17
I stopped listening to a man at work who whines endlessly. I look at him and walk away. If I'm not your mom, wife, therapist, or friend, I'm not carrying your emotional baggage.
#18
I cross my legs so he’s risking getting his trousers’ leg dirty by the bottom of my shoe if he man spreads. Works very well on the ones with suits/work attire on :)
#19
Whenever I attend a gathering I always try to sit in the front and ask questions and speak up. I also would have sat in the back and kept quiet when I was younger.
StrangeOne 4 months ago (edited)
This is more about boosting your confidence, which is good for anyone.
#20
When I write blog posts for my clients, I sometimes have to pick out stock photos to go with them. When that happens I always choose photos of female professionals. Need a picture of a dentist, here's a woman who's a dentist. Whenever possible, I choose photos of women who aren't white, too.
#21
Today in a conversation in which a man kept interrupting the other woman present, I said, “I’d like to hear what S. is saying.” I used to be voiceless and scared. This came out very naturally.
#22
If a man uses the terms “girls” or “gals” when referring to adult women, rest assured I’ll refer to them as “boys” not men in my response. They may not realize what they are doing at first, but they will when I respond.
Random male: “The girls in the legal department really did a great job with xyz.”
Me: “Yes, the boys did a great job as well.”
Becca not Becky 4 months ago (edited)
One of the surgeons I worked with some years back made sure to refer to me as a woman. I was young and I looked even younger, so I get infantilized a lot. The fact that he was old enough to be my dad but spoke to me like an adult and colleague meant a lot.
#23
I'm trying not to apologise for getting angry, call myself too sensitive, or frame my reactions as overreactions. It's felt very empowering so far :)
#24
Not a daily thing, but..
Was talking to a school friend, I know she has like 2-3 kids and stay at home mom bla bla. We were just reconnecting, and I asked just about her and her only! Not a single question of how's your family or how are the kids etc. Just, how are you, tell me about you, what are you thinking, what are you doing.. oooof!
It was new for her as well, coz the amount of time she was taking to put thought into these questions was pheww.. and she actually broke down and ranted 🥺
StrangeOne 4 months ago (edited)
Mothers do, and are expected to, put themselves dead last of priorities. Everything is about "Are you working?" "How's the husband?" "I bet you're so busy with cleaning and raising the kids." "You look so exhausted." "You need a fresh hair cut and some makeup." "Oh, are you buying that for your kids?" "What are your kids into?" "Are you planning on having more kids. You're getting to that age, you know." A mother barely has enough time to even remind herself of your previous hobbies, and her interests go out the window.
#25
I make sure I correct the salesperson when I’m actually next to be served but they defer to the man who just arrived.
#26
Give least one woman a day a compliment that doesn’t revolve around looks
Hollerfloozy 4 months ago
Examples: Hair style, clothes choices/colors, eye wear choice, say their choice of beverage/food is awesome, their shoes, a job well done, their choice of accessories, their dog/cat, the way they hold themselves.. it's easy...
#27
Mine is consistently using the feminine gender when referring to God in my Christian church. She and Mother God word well. A lot less “Lord”
Skywitness 4 months ago
I have a problem with this. I just can't imagine an infinite being limited by gender.
#28
If I see another women who obviously wants to get away from the dude who has cornered them at a bar, I walk by and cropdust. I also like to call certain types of men "little buddy" online. And my favorite is telling men to smile more.
StrangeOne 4 months ago
The Goddess sent angels are the ones who care enough to save you from the hounds of Hell at the bar.
#29
I'm at that age where I walk straight into the middle of the pack of teenage boys crowding the footpath and expect them to scatter.
Sally Moen 4 months ago
You tempt fate in doing that. Teenage boys are great at faking injury or taking offense at adults going about their business. I definitely ignore their pleas. Difficult to ignore vaping on the bus, and they are great rule-breakers, so I normally find a far off seat
#31
I don't move for anyone on the sidewalk unless they're pushing a stroller, walker, or walking a dog or child. I keep to the right, as is correct.
StrangeOne 4 months ago
Everyone should just move a little to the side, or do a little shoulder pivot, as I was taught in runway classes.
#32
Being 5'11 telling "6' men" that they indeed cannot be 6' if they're shorter than me
#34
Claiming all of my legroom on an airplane. If you're man-spreading into my space, prepare to awkwardly touch my calf the entire flight. Then I double down by taking both armrests if I'm in the middle.
#35
I’m a stand-up comedian. Whenever I see a lineup advertised that’s all men (usually all white men, too), I’ll leave a glowing comment about how wonderfully diverse their lineups are.
StrangeOne 4 months ago
But what if they're ignoring or not getting the sarcasm? Just be straight up honest.
#36
I spread my legs and nudge them if they get too close. When I was on a near empty bus I used to move seats if someone tried sitting next to me and bring out my pepper spray if he looked like was going to move again.
#37
Man spreading and using the arm rest while seated in a public place next to a man. Does my highly sensitive adhd ass hate my leg touching a stranger’s leg? 100% Do I refuse to make myself smaller anymore to make others feel more comfortable? 100% I’ll pick my battles.
#38
I was walking with my son all the way nearly up next to a store wall and I noticed a man not moving outta the way coming toward me...it's the first time i really noticed-HE DIDN'T MOVE! I had to move to dodge him and nearly stepped on my kid. I was stunned & now I can't usee this bs
#39
I never use “guys.” Team, folks, colleagues, occasionally g**g, but not gals either.
Fuhleeheece 4 months ago
How about "friends and neighbors"? I always say this in class: "Okay, friends and neighbors, get to page 127."
#40
One of mine has always been paying for a meal/event tickets occasionally on a date. I can tell a lot by the way the guy responds.
StrangeOne 4 months ago (edited)
It's gotten so prevalent that dates are being used as a way to buy/bribe s*x from women (possibly vice versa, but haven't heard any instances of) if the man is paying her way, it's a good, safe idea for women to be paying for their own stuff. Makes the date less awkward, too, when both people can focus on getting to know each other.
#41
The Sheriff's Dept. Posted on Facebook a picture of their new deputies, fresh out of the academy. All men, of course. I posted a question, "Do you ever hire women?" And here came the trolls......
StrangeOne 4 months ago
These police academies are notoriously sexist, and tend to treat women members like a gag from Spencer's back walls. If there's no women, that is a clear sign women are either being dropped from recruitment and/or women are avoiding the hassle.
#42
I cuss and never apologize. Since I'm tall and big, I get misgendered as a man, so I say in my highest-pitched voices, "What do you mean, sir?" Always embarrasses dudes. I also wear a US Army veteran cap in the sun.
#43
I’m in a bowling league that’s majority men. It’s well-established courtesy to wait for the bowlers on the lanes next to you to finish their throw before you step up. If I’m up, and they ignore me, so they can go first, I bowl anyway.
Giraffe Sitter 4 months ago
If I were the woman in that situation, I’d be tempted to step back and tell the guy “ladies first”.
#44
Im no longer helping, teaching or instructing men. Can’t find the can opener? Can’t help you. Don’t know how to wash your wool sweater? Too bad. Need help choosing a bday gift for your mom? You’re on your own
StrangeOne 4 months ago
Does she expect him to respond the same way when she needs help? I'm not saying we should be our partner's caregivers, but some of us just need help with seemingly basic things. I don't think it's healthy to shame your spouse for asking for some help. But if it's the same thing, constantly, and they walk away without trying, then I would have a heart to heart convo with him.
#45
I work in an office for a construction company. When I draw up contracts, I put the wife/female partner's name first before her man's. 🙂↕️🖤
#46
I used to refer to everyone on an anonymous mom’s site as ‘she’ even if I knew there were men posting. But I stopped because I didn’t want to cause dysphoria for trans folks.
#47
When I meet a male CEO I cheer “Boy Boss!”
Michael Largey 4 months ago
If I was a CEO, I'd really like that! (Of course, the Earth falling into the Sun will precede my being named the CEO of anything. I don't think I'm even the CEO of me.)
#49
Mine is marking every marital status box incorrectly because if I have to disclose my marriage in my “address”, men should too.
#50
Don't drag a woman for her looks. If her actions merit concern, discuss it. The whole Kerri Russell's hair is a mess in The Diplomat made my head spin. She was brilliant. That's it.
StrangeOne 4 months ago (edited)
In those cases, it's a direct criticism of the styling department. Not an insult to Kerri Russell for her acting.
#51
I work in an ER with a heavy rotation of travel nurses - I almost always ask the male MD residents if they are the new travel nurse. So they get to feel what the female residents feel with every new pt.
#52
Walking out of the house with less than perfect hair, clothes, and often little to no makeup. Not that serving amazing looks isn’t feminist, of course - it’s just to remind myself that if I match the effort the average man in my workplace puts into his appearance, it doesn’t make me any less professional.
Sally Moen 4 months ago
I like this one. Puts the focus on your actual job and away from being perfectly put together
#53
Whenever I use an image of athletes in my class, I exclusively use women or girl athletes.
#54
I look men directly in the eyes if I catch them looking at me, fix my gaze, and refuse to look away - like everytime they they glance again they see me looking at them - until they physically respond in some way (like completely turning away, talking to someone next to them, looking at their phone etc)
#55
When greeting a man I know, instead of a hug I give a handshake. I distinctly remember one time a guy shook my bf’s hand and then tried going in for a hug with me but I didn’t want to & he was very weirded out
#57
I call the dad first for emergency contacts for students when they’re sick.
StrangeOne 4 months ago
You should go down the list numerically as that's how the parents have it for a reason. I had my own mom first for contact because she was the emergency contact and owns a car. I had her dad somewhere in the bottom because I knew he would be unreliable. When it comes to child safety, there's no room for gender equality agendas. Someone needs to come to attend the child, and both parents should be responsible, or whomever.
#59
I'm an admin. A secretary, though a fairly high level one. We use initials a lot where I work, at a law firm. The attorneys (all male) all put their initials in upper case, while all the other staff (all female) use lower case. I use upper case. Always. No one's ever said anything.
#60
I'm pointing out any situations where the patriarchy is so baked in, it's not visibly noticable. This includes language and idioms that we take for granted.
#62
Sitting at the head of the table. Not apologizing for every little thing (or for getting old).
StrangeOne 4 months ago
I will never apologize for getting old and looking "tired". I work d**n hard and have a lot of responsibilities at home. I'm allowed to be exhausted. Don't tell me to drink some coffee or splash my face with cold water.
#63
Excusing myself from - or strategically avoiding - discussions with a mansplaining relative instead of allowing him to pull me into a lecture about a totally inconsequential topic. I'm surprised how many people allow him to control the energy in the room, laugh at all his unfunny jokes, and accept his egocentric and arrogant conversation style.
StrangeOne 4 months ago (edited)
"Oh, that's just Kyle being Kyle. He's not harming anyone, is he?" Why do families feel the need to invite the most unpleasant jerks to family functions just because they're related by blood?
#64
Have introduced several friends to my "ploy" . When I see men walking directly at me, I turn my back & look upwards. Maybe luck but it's always worked. Female friend & I did this recently, the group of men walked around us. Our husbands... actually sort of , kind of, were forced into the road.
jonesnori 4 months ago
As I said on another similar comment, my method is just to stop dead and make them go around or run into me. I actually do have an earlier stage in the transaction - I will put my arm out in front of me like a block. That is especially effective when the problem is people not paying attention.
#65
I no longer move out of the way for men. I don’t smile at them, or make small talk. I don’t owe them that. Actually, I never did. I just didn’t have a mother who taught me that because she is a misogynist herself.
#66
I walk faster than most people so I swerve to pass people while walking on busy footpaths. I do wish we would go back to walking on the same side of the footpath as when you drive on the road. In New Zealand that would be left side. That all seems to have disappeared in the last 20 odd years.
#67
Mine lately has been "why is that the focus?" Any time a man tries to deflect when women are talking.
And the only way to avoid answering the question is going to be them ending the convo cuz there will be follow up if they give a non-answer
#69
Whenever I’m at a red light and the driver next to me is a man who is obviously staring at me- I roll down my window, make eye contact, and initiate a staring contest.
StrangeOne 4 months ago
Just pay attention to what's in front of you and not what the next driver is doing. He likely wanted to race, which is just stupid.
#70
For me it used to be opening doors or giving up my seat. Never again though.
Power puff scientist 4 months ago
i would love that, thank you so much. why never again though?
#71
I’ve been calling out men’s mistakes at work and covering up women’s mistakes. Kind of how men have been doing for decades.
StrangeOne 4 months ago (edited)
That's gotta backfire at some point. Everyone should be held accountable.
#72
I have no idea but this year on Halloween I fake screamed when I saw my coworker, followed by “you dressed as a straight white male. Can’t think of anything scarier.”
#73
When men look like they are agro at each other, going to fight, or ones standing up to another one etc, I say omg yall are the cutest couple, where did yall meet?
#74
Instead of saying “hey guys” I say “hey girls” and watch the guys heads explode. LOL
#75
When I'm driving, I always let women go first. If we meet at the stop sign, they go first, unless they tell me to, then I respect them and listen. I let them cross the street with ease and wave and I watch out for them. I make sure everyone stops for them and if they don't, I honk them and intervene.
Power puff scientist 4 months ago
sounds like breaking traffic rules which just makes every situation more chaotic and unsafe.
#76
When serving drinks as a cocktail waitress to couples, I always serve the woman’s drink first and then look to the man when I’m requesting payment. 😂🤷🏽♀️
#78
Mine is my waitress correcting me that they are a server rather than a waitress.
Too bad. My waitress gets a big tip, but my smarmy server doesn’t.
What do you think ?
Dragons Exist 4 months ago
Being sexist towards guys who did nothing wrong (aka towards guys who aren't misogynistic) isn't feminism, it's misandry
Lorius Interruptus 4 months ago
It's not sexist towards guys to decide that you aren't going to cater to them. 🙄
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Ellinor 4 months ago
I'm going to be downvoted to hell but I will still say this : Women don't to these things because of pure hatred for men, they do this because they are angry at a society that doesn't listen to them, they are tired, and after thousand of years of trying to be nice and still not being taken seriously, women are turning from niceness to pettiness.
Power puff scientist 4 months ago
some of these i can fully understand but some of these are outright hateful though.
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Dragons Exist 4 months ago
Being sexist towards guys who did nothing wrong (aka towards guys who aren't misogynistic) isn't feminism, it's misandry
Lorius Interruptus 4 months ago
It's not sexist towards guys to decide that you aren't going to cater to them. 🙄
Load More Replies... Ellinor 4 months ago
I'm going to be downvoted to hell but I will still say this : Women don't to these things because of pure hatred for men, they do this because they are angry at a society that doesn't listen to them, they are tired, and after thousand of years of trying to be nice and still not being taken seriously, women are turning from niceness to pettiness.
Power puff scientist 4 months ago
some of these i can fully understand but some of these are outright hateful though.
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