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22 Women Share The Times Men Had To Comment On Their Appearance When Nobody Asked Them To
Article created by: Justinas Keturka
Can you imagine receiving an unwelcomed and slightly ignorant comment about your hair, tattoos, or figure? Well, if you’re a woman, you probably can. Unfortunately, some guys out there feel the need to vocalize their judgment about women’s looks with no regard for their feelings whatsoever.
So when user peanutstail raised a question on the Two X Chromosomes subreddit, “Ladies, what are some of your favorite, completely unsolicited comments about your appearance you’ve gotten from men?” hundreds of replies started raining down, each more unbelievable than the previous one.
Whether it’s men expressing their opinions on the street, at a funeral, or literally moments before getting onto an operating table, it’s mind-boggling to read some of these stories. So check them out below and let us know what you think in the comments!
- Read More: 40 Women Share The Times Men Had To Comment On Their Appearance When Nobody Asked Them To
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#1
This one was actually really awesome, and I’ll never forget it. I was leaving the subway in Manhattan on my way to a portfolio presentation for a large gift company, hoping to god I’d land a big commission that was being discussed. I was outfitted for the occasion in a suit I’d specifically bought. As I ascended the stairs, from behind I heard, “I can see that you’re headed for an important meeting, and that you’re an artist. You look fantastic, you have taste, and you can do this. Knock them dead.” I turned, and the man who gave me these words just nodded, and smiled. It wasn’t predatory or demeaning- he meant it. And I landed the commission.
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#2
I almost never wear makeup, but I got the whole works done for my best friend's wedding when I was her maid of honor. Throughout the day, I kept getting gross comments like, 'Oh, see how pretty you can be if you actually made the effort?' I was just generally feeling miserable.
Due to the scheduling, I only met up with my plus one after the main ceremony, on the way to the afterparty. We get into our car, and he looks me dead in the eye and just says, 'You look like a clown.' I could not stop laughing. I felt like a clown!
It was just really nice knowing that he didn't care that I suddenly looked gorgeous to everyone else in the room. The makeup wasn't me, it made me look like someone I wasn't, and he hated it for that reason alone.
#3
Before I climbed on the operating table for a spinal procedure, the anesthesiologist — a white man in his 50s — stopped me and, for the THIRD TIME, asked if I was sure I wasn't pregnant. I told him again, there's no possible way I'm pregnant, but I'll take a pregnancy test if he wants. Then, he said he didn’t believe me and that I was 'too cute not to be pregnant,' 'that I’ve got to have tons of guys climbing all over me because I'm so cute,' so 'how am I not pregnant?'
The surgical tech also sexually harassed me after watching what the anesthesiologist had said. I reported them both for sexual harassment at my surgical follow-up appointment. The surgical tech was fired, and the anesthesiologist 'retired early.'
#4
I've only had one comment from a male I can remember appreciating. I was at a gas station and I went inside to grab some coffee. A guy was walking past and without stopping he said "wow, you're so beautiful! The hair, the outfit, the makeup. It's really working for you. You are gorgeous. Have a great day!" It was so genuine and friendly and the guy kept on his way without looking for a response. It was nice that there was no apparent underlying motivation, nothing sexual, just nice.
#5
I had a friend tell me that he wished he could put my personality into his girlfriend's body, because, then, he'd have the perfect woman.
He managed a two-for-one insult, pretty impressive.
#6
I was walking through campus wearing a hot pink skirt and a cute guy walked up to me and said "Hey I like your skirt! No hetero!" And walked away. That guy was awesome.
#7
Crossing the street all dressed up going to a club, guy walking the other way just says, "Flawless dress,"and keeps walking.
#8
I was walking with my two-year-old nephew to get the mail when we crossed paths with a man I'd never met before. My nephew is very outgoing and starts happily blabbering to this dude. The guy crouches down toward nephew, locks eyes with me, and tells my nephew, 'Mommy needs to start dressing her age. You need to tell her she's not a teenager anymore, and she looks pathetic!' He then burst into obnoxiously loud laughter and walked off.
It was really weird. I was also dressed completely benign, but I was in my late 20s with blue hair, so that must have been his issue
#9
When I was in college (about 18), an older street musician (not homeless) told me he admired the confidence of my stride. Totally genuine and not even remotely sexual. That’s one of the best compliments I’ve ever received.
#10
I once had a dude tell me, 'You really don't need all that blush,' when I had no makeup on and a bad sunburn across my face.
Tons of dudes can't tell what makeup looks like at all. I'm embarrassed for them when they say stuff about it.
#11
I was told that it's so refreshing to see a woman on a night out with no makeup on, and how I am a natural beauty...while I was wearing a lot of make up!
#12
I was dragging a canoe to a launch spot on the side of a road while a truck drove by - the passenger yelled out “you’re beautiful! The way you are!” It was unexpected, unnecessary, and made my day.
#13
I'm young looking for mid 30s and work in a predominately old white male white collar industry. I'm heavily credentialed, upper management, on track to take over our office in the next 10 years. Yet, here's my favorite comments from clients and peers completely unsolicited:
1. You must be a great secretary, you have your own corner office. ((There is nothing wrong with being a secretary but a sexist assumption))
2. Are you actually credentialed? You look more like PR or recruitment or something, a pretty face to get more work. ((Same))
3. (When pregnant) don't worry, the baby weight will come off quickly. (I was not worried)
4. You look nothing like your professional photo, guess the job can really age a person (I wasn't wearing makeup in person)
5. I liked your hair better when it was darker. You looked more sultry. (I came in to work after getting highlights)
The list goes on.
I know a lot of these comments are more because I'm female rather than my actual looks but it still references my appearance when it doesn't matter.
#14
This one has always stuck with me: 'Those socks are very provocative on you.' I was 17, wearing tall socks with shorts, a flannel, and a tank top (a typical 2010s outfit, lol). I was at a small house party with other teens in a basement, and I knew one person there. The reason I remember it? It was the host's dad who said it after giving me a body check up and down. I was like, 'Okay, thanks?'
I never wore tall socks like that again
#16
I was a cashier and scanning a guy's groceries when he felt it necessary to tell me that I'd be sexier without my septum ring. I was only 18 and fresh out of high school. That was my first job. The dude had to be at least 40. It was a totally unnecessary comment from a stranger, and it still makes me feel gross just thinking about it.
#17
My new male co-worker tried to build rapport by asking me: 'Why did you become a graphic designer if you're not pretty and don't have a dad who owns a company? Women don't make it in this industry otherwise.'
#18
I have PCOS, so I can grow a beard most 16-year-old boys are jealous of. I've lost count of the number of times I've been 'advised' to shave or wax my face.
Most often in high school, I've been told that I have more hair than my brother. I even had an ex who commented that he now understood what all his exes were saying. People also question my gender.
It used to upset me, but now I can't find any f**ks to give them. I still remove my facial hair, but I do it for me, no one else (it gets itchy after a couple of days).
#19
My guy friend told me I looked amazing and like I had lost weight a week after I had a miscarriage…that he was visiting to offer support for.
#20
An old man told me I ruined my perfectly, beautiful body with all of my tattoos. At my place of work.
#21
On Christmas, my siblings and I talked through almost the whole night — we were quite drunk at some point. My brother told us that he thinks my sister is more beautiful than I am. He tried to soften his statement by saying I'm also beautiful, but my sister more adheres to what people would think to be beautiful.
I was not too offended with him saying that, because my sister and I really love each other and something like this couldn't come between us. Also, I've developed enough self esteem by now to think of myself as beautiful without comparison.
It was just like a 'Why the hell are you telling us this?' moment, especially because my sister was immediately telling me that she always thought me to be more beautiful, etc. I just told her that I think we're both hot
#22
I worked in the same building as a man, and we'd said 'good morning' to each other for years. However, we had never really had a conversation. Immediately upon seeing my new pixie haircut (my hair was long before), he said, 'Oh, [my name], NO! That's just not you…no…'
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