ADVERTISEMENT

The term “mansplaining” is a relatively new one. After first being innovated by the author Rebecca Solnit in 2008, it allowed women to describe a common experience they share for which they never had the terminology. “Mansplaining” went beyond the generics like “patronizing” and “presumptuous” and shed light on a profoundly negative side that men explaining things to women has.

Unfortunately, unsolicited explanations from men who are neither your teacher nor your manager are all too common. But to see the level of absurdity and obviousness of the things women have mansplained to them, we have to look at the actual instances that happened to them in real life.

So when Twitter user Nicole Froio, who’s a PhD on sexual violence and masculinity, asked women to share “the most obvious thing a man has ever mansplained to you,” the answers started pouring in one after another. Both ludicrous and plain irritating, they speak thousands of words about power imbalance and gender bias, which shouldn’t be the case when we live in 2021.

Read more irritating mansplaining cases as shared by women in our previous article right here.

Image credits: NicoleFroio

#2

Women-Share-Worst-Mansplaining-Experiences

Belinda_McBride Report

Add photo comments
POST
merlestechow avatar
LuckyL
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean... You push the same way - everything else is completely different (yes, I've done both)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

Women-Share-Worst-Mansplaining-Experiences

PhillippaHibbs Report

Add photo comments
POST
hedwards avatar
H Edwards
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I witnessed an American man trying to explain a Spanish girl's name to her. He was insisting that one of her names was a 'middle' name, and she was patiently saying that names work differently in Spain. She finally snapped and said 'I know what my own name is'. He was also manspreading in the worst possible way. It was quite hilarious to watch.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Bored Panda reached out to the author of the thread, Nicole Froio, who is a feminist writer and researcher. Nicole explained that “mansplaining is one of many daily aggressions women go through in a sexist and misogynistic society, so it has to be understood as a part of a larger system of oppression rather than an isolated incident.”

It comes from the assumption that “women and other non-men don't have the intelligence to understand the topic at hand, which is a sexist and misogynistic assumption. The mansplainer will explain something that the woman probably already knows already, usually in a condescending and infantilizing way.”

#4

Women-Share-Worst-Mansplaining-Experiences

EvaVBGibson Report

Add photo comments
POST
wandiledludlu avatar
Sum Guy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never understood why men feel the need to say balls hurt more. That might be true, but it's a pain that lasts 30 seconds at it's most intense then subsides... childbirth is constant for a longtime

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

According to Nicole, it depends where the act of mansplaining happens. For example, when it’s in a professional setting, “this can result in the woman in a professional setting feeling disrespected and/or inept for doing their job, they could feel like they've been publicly humiliated in front of their colleagues and feel a general loss of respect for her expertise."

#8

Women-Share-Worst-Mansplaining-Experiences

littlenellie Report

Add photo comments
POST
webmaster_8 avatar
Paul K. Johnson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know the situation there and it sounds like he was a moron. I've written a lot of code and at least a couple of times someone told me what it was really doing which wasn't what I thought it was doing. So they were right. I wrote in a bug and they caught it.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Women-Share-Worst-Mansplaining-Experiences

Clemence_Mcl Report

Add photo comments
POST
ljdia avatar
Ljdia
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My ex. "I am right and if I'm not, well, let's pretend it didn't happen, let's not ever talk about it."

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

For the men who’re wondering about not coming across as mansplainers, Nicole says that simply asking can go a long way. “Instead of assuming a person doesn't know about a certain topic, why not ask 'Do you know how this works?' or 'I'm not sure if you're familiar with this, but if you do, feel free to stop me.'” These simple questions can correct the behavior that might accidentally harm someone.

#10

Women-Share-Worst-Mansplaining-Experiences

jeanette_nadene Report

Add photo comments
POST
k8espresso avatar
Ekate
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wouldn't that be great, though? Like an inner emergency guillotine.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

Women-Share-Worst-Mansplaining-Experiences

allisonsey Report

Add photo comments
POST
lmellie21 avatar
Flare
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Niall, a birthmark is when part of the skin pigments differently than the rest.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

Even though Nicole said that mansplaining is not one of the worst things experienced by women in a patriarchal system, she sees it wrong because “it rectifies the gender structure on an interpersonal level.”

“For example, you might be a woman in a male-dominated industry where your expertise is already undervalued because that field is male-dominated, and then one of your colleagues mansplains a simple concept everyone in the office is familiar with.”

#14

Women-Share-Worst-Mansplaining-Experiences

MotalebAbdel Report

Add photo comments
POST
hazelree avatar
Stille20
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh noooooo... it's one thing when it is a random a**hole... but that's her a**hole

View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

Women-Share-Worst-Mansplaining-Experiences

apunkvenus Report

Add photo comments
POST
andreavilarmelego avatar
Ozacoter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awesome job. I loved when I worked in one for a while.

View more commentsArrow down menu

Such cases can do long-term harm to women. “This can lead to things like imposter syndrome and an unwelcome work environment for women, where people's suspicions about the woman's supposed lack of expertise are rectified by the mansplaining."

ADVERTISEMENT

When asked how one should react to being mansplained to, Nicole said that personally she finds being assertive quite important when responding to mansplaining. “I usually respond by saying things like 'Thanks for explaining, but I already knew that' or even interrupting the mansplainer and saying 'Sorry to interrupt, but I already know that, so we can move onto the next topic instead of wasting time?’”

Your response can just be a gentle nudge to the fact that you are knowledgeable and that you don't need an explanation, Nicole concluded.

#22

Women-Share-Worst-Mansplaining-Experiences

PartTimeRoyal Report

Add photo comments
POST
lsoo avatar
Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have noticed that people just don't listen. Whatever you have to say is inconsequential. It can be infuriating, but sometimes, I think "nevermind" and I walk away.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

Women-Share-Worst-Mansplaining-Experiences

WantPeace4All Report

Add photo comments
POST
stijn_vlas avatar
StIJN
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

seems like he might have an interesting view on the subject as he's seen the negative side of the education system.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#25

Women-Share-Worst-Mansplaining-Experiences

brujadominicana Report

Add photo comments
POST
annikajorgensen avatar
Annika Jorgensen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maby it's more a case of he learned and read up about it and wanted to share it? My partner did the same for our son, not that he was be the breastfeeder xD. But i was happy that he took his time to read up and understand allot of things about having kids. And even if me and his mom already knew things. It's not hard to just listen, and be happy that at least they try instead of not caring about it.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

Women-Share-Worst-Mansplaining-Experiences

MazyBaker Report

Add photo comments
POST
chimesstreet avatar
Tabitha L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm guessing piloting is a male dominated field? I never thought about it. Anyone know the breakdown? Is it because of military service? Are the numbers starting to even out? Have I asked too many questions?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

Women-Share-Worst-Mansplaining-Experiences

xperiement Report

Add photo comments
POST
kha_duong_1 avatar
K.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

...and when you tell them your credentials/expertise/ or education they say you’re arrogant.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#31

Women-Share-Worst-Mansplaining-Experiences

aliceink Report

Add photo comments
POST
carrielaughs avatar
Carrie Laughs
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I said something about that very issue to my sister who had no idea of the direction one should wipe.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#32

Women-Share-Worst-Mansplaining-Experiences

MrsPriss510 Report

Add photo comments
POST
blue1steven avatar
Donkey boi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn't even know there were such things as trucks with 36 gears! Does it work like bicycle gears?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#35

Women-Share-Worst-Mansplaining-Experiences

EmCatMom Report

Add photo comments
POST
samlomb avatar
Samantha Lomb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In fairness I have met a lot of people who didn't know the political history of their home country. And no they were not just Americans. Some of my Russian students have said some really funny stuff too, like when one tried to tell me the statue on the main square was Stalin. Its a bearded bald guy who is pretty obviously Lenin. And my colleagues used to have students tell them in English about the history of their home town ( Kirov) and none of the students seemed to know who that was despite the town being named for him and us having statues of him dotted around. In fairness I study Soviet history, but they would say, "Let's ask the American" and then I of course knew who Sergei Mironovich was and students would study harder for their next dialogue.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#36

Women-Share-Worst-Mansplaining-Experiences

mamidok Report

Add photo comments
POST
samlomb avatar
Samantha Lomb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd suggest he also go look up infant and maternal mortality rates in Africa and then report him

View more commentsArrow down menu
#37

Women-Share-Worst-Mansplaining-Experiences

Amelia_Draws Report

Add photo comments
POST
lsoo avatar
Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be honest, that can be any art admirer, regardless of gender, interpreting a drawing, painting, or photograph.

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

As an artist we get that, so the tone was probably rude and declaring instead. Told that this is what it means..

Load More Replies...
linusnilsson avatar
Linus Nilsson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember someone saying " the artist's view has no place in interpreting their art".

confred78 avatar
Marlowe Fitzpatrik
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nice. I'd like to meet that person and tell them "F**k out of my vernissage, then!"

Load More Replies...
zornitsa1993 avatar
Verena
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People should interpret works of art in their own ways!

confred78 avatar
Marlowe Fitzpatrik
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, but they shouldn't say to the artist (!) that THIS is the way the painting was meant. They say "this is how i see it" or "this comes to my mind". Stating somethign as fact to the person who created the art and would definitely know what it meant to them is arrogant. I do think, though, that it could happen with a woman as well.

Load More Replies...
jasmine_hinziwin avatar
CD Mills
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Art can be tricky, not everyone is going to 'see' an art piece exactly the same. I'd guess it might be a case of, "What my own drawing means 'to the observer' ".

phxhocking avatar
Phoenix Hocking
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh gosh yes. I've had readers tell me what my writing meant, even when it blatantly meant something entirely different.

emvinny1969 avatar
readingthequibbler
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me too. I write a lot of poetry to get out my emotions for some people just need to understands they can't tell me what my feelings are.

Load More Replies...
darkangelnickay avatar
Nic Dudley
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had a therapist when I was a teenager tell me that the reason why the trees I drew in a picture he had me draw showed how I don't feel connected because of my family situation. My mother had left me and sister with my step-dad who she was separated from to live with a man across country she met online (this was 1999). He said this because the trees didn't have any roots...I just drew them that way because you don't see roots above ground often (it was a landscape horizon picture). I stopped going not too long after.

blue1steven avatar
Donkey boi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one will open up a whole discussion! True, an artist creates something with meaning to them. True the viewers interpretation is also valid, something that means one thing to me can mean something completely different to someone else, that doesn't make either opinion less valid. It's the same with food, what you call comfort food, I might call bland and boring or maybe even foreign and exciting.

valrico63 avatar
Sam Cook
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of the time a guy in my writing club tried to tell me the meaning behind my prologue, like what the cliffhanger would mean for the rest of the book. When I tried to explain it to him, he was like, "Nah, that doesn't really make sense." I just stared at him, then asked, "You do know who the writer is, don't you?" I'm a guy myself and still had something mansplained to me.

truthmonster00 avatar
Truth Monster
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depends on what was drawn and if symbols were used. For example, I draw a cupid, some hearts, some 1940 Germain soldiers and a swastika. It doesn't matter if I was drawing to "demonstrate my depression", any reasonable person is going to say I'm drawing Nazi propaganda.

vt_shinomi avatar
Shinomi Chan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

BITCH SAID WHAT? Of course one can interpret it many ways. But only the artists knows what it ACTUALLY is???

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#38

Women-Share-Worst-Mansplaining-Experiences

cc_kinnick Report

Add photo comments
POST
lolawootwoot avatar
Periwinkle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do they get a kick out of wrongly declaring things for women? Alternate drug high?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#39

Women-Share-Worst-Mansplaining-Experiences

amandablount2 Report

Add photo comments
POST
lolawootwoot avatar
Periwinkle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ahh yes they do know so much more than you of that topic, y'know.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

Women-Share-Worst-Mansplaining-Experiences

MEGdeGrant Report

Add photo comments
POST
lsoo avatar
Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the first time I've heard of this one. I must be terribly sheltered.

View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 65 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.