Some comments sound polite or helpful—but they quietly reinforce outdated expectations of how women should behave. These are classic sexist comments examples that many women still hear today.
The following came from a Reddit thread asking:
“What common criticisms of women or femininity make you cringe?”
Seven years later, we’re still hearing them. Here are 7 of the most common sexist comments examples—and how we might respond.
- Wearing makeup means you’re insecure. Not wearing it—are you sick?
- Not wanting kids is selfish.
- Do you actually like this, or are you just pretending?
- You’re not like other girls.
- When there are too many women, there’s always drama.
- She’s so aggressive—it’s hard to work with her.
- Women aren’t logical, they’re just emotional.
🚫 Wearing makeup means you’re insecure. Not wearing it—are you sick?
Underlying Bias:
Polices women’s appearance no matter what they do, turning personal choice into public commentary and denying freedom over one’s image.
How to Respond:
Set boundaries: ‘My appearance is not a public topic.’
Emphasize agency: ‘I don’t exist to meet anyone’s aesthetic preferences.’
🚫 Not wanting kids is selfish.
Underlying Bias:
Assumes a woman’s value is fulfilled only through motherhood, and labels childfree women as irresponsible or immature.
How to Respond:
Make it firm: ‘My life choices don’t need your approval.’
Ask: ‘Why is not having children considered selfish?’
🚫 Do you actually like this, or are you just pretending?
Underlying Bias:
Assumes women are only pretending to enjoy ‘non-feminine’ interests to please others, denying their genuine passion or knowledge.
How to Respond:
You don’t owe anyone a performance of your interests.
Politely ask back: ‘Why do you think women’s hobbies need to be explained? Do you ask men the same thing?’
🚫 You’re not like other girls.
Underlying Bias:
Disguises criticism of most women as a compliment by isolating you as the ‘exception’—and hopes you’ll agree with that insult.
How to Respond:
Refuse it: ‘I think other women are great too.’
Call it out: ‘Do you mean to say other women aren’t?’
🚫 When there are too many women, there’s always drama.
Underlying Bias:
Reduces any group conflict to a ‘woman problem,’ ignoring leadership or communication issues and reinforcing the stereotype that ‘women can’t cooperate.’
How to Respond:
Stay factual: ‘Team conflicts are about communication and leadership—not gender.’
Ask calmly: ‘Do you have data to support that?’
🚫 She’s so aggressive—it’s hard to work with her.
Underlying Bias:
When women assert themselves, they’re labeled ‘difficult,’ while men doing the same are praised as ‘leaders.’
How to Respond:
Say clearly: ‘I’m discussing facts and ideas—not trying to be likable.’
Ask: ‘Would you say the same if a man spoke this way?’
🚫 Women aren’t logical, they’re just emotional.
Underlying Bias:
Frames rationality as a male trait and dismisses women’s perspectives by labeling them emotional, thus undermining their judgment or professionalism.
How to Respond:
Focus on content: ‘Logic comes from ideas, not gender.’
Challenge the label: ‘Can you point out where my logic fails—without assumptions?’
Final Thoughts:
We hope these phrases fade away.
That one day, women’s emotions, choices, and ways of speaking will simply be seen as normal—not something to correct.
Have you heard similar “well-meaning” comments that didn’t sit right?
Share your experience in the comments—let’s expand the list together.
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