The Student Room Group

The Oddities of Women in the West

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Reply 20
Original post by najinaji
This actually makes an awful lot of sense.

Thanks :smile: I actually expected this to be a disagreement when I clicked on it, because a hell of a lot of people seem to disagree with what I say.

I've got a few foreign friends, including a Zulu bloke who's on my course at college. He has told me a lot about the cultural differences between the West and his original home, and I've listened; different cultures and the development of civilization have always been extremely interesting to me.
Original post by najinaji
I've noticed many oddities in women's behaviour (obviously not all women, but a sizeable majority) over my short 16 years.

-The obsession with 'femininity', shaving the body, long or fanciful hairstyles, makeup, clothes etc.
-Do not often make decisions very quickly, if at all (have noticed this in the difference between going out with female & male friends)
-Not much pride in physical strength or 'handiness' (DIY, for example)
-Excessive cowardice (often exaggerated)
-The tendency to gossip
-More revealing clothing (Tight, reveals breasts, legs etc.)

Now, I would like to say now that none of this is exclusive to women, but I have seen it arise more prominently in groups of women. I would also like to say that by no means am I saying men have no faults, but I am focusing on women for the time being.

Discuss? Explain?


Op, if you saw a masculine woman, who is very decisive, strong and builds things herself, is very brave, doesnt gossip and shows no flesh at all, would you think that was more odd than how you described women in the west?
they are only oddities to you because you have experienced a non-Western background I assume? Such Western women would likely find the way women behave within some Asian nations equally as odd.
(edited 13 years ago)
Boys: Oh my gahh girls wear too much make up, what sluts. I like a natural girl.
Boys: She's ugly, she doesn't even make an effort to do herself up!

Boys: Phwoarr check out that fit girls body, i wanna do her!
Boys: Girls have no respect for themselves, i can't find a girlfriend who doesn't dress like a slut.

In conclusion, boys need to shut up.
Reply 24
What's wrong with taking your time to make a descision? Surely that's a good thing? The only one I'd agree with is the last one. I really can't see the point in parading your body around like that. Though there are plenty of self-respecting women who don't.
(edited 13 years ago)
Original post by RoshniDiya
Boys: Oh my gahh girls wear too much make up, what sluts. I like a natural girl.
Boys: She's ugly, she doesn't even make an effort to do herself up!

Boys: Phwoarr check out that fit girls body, i wanna do her!
Boys: Girls have no respect for themselves, i can't find a girlfriend who doesn't dress like a slut.

In conclusion, boys need to shut up.


to be fair you get such varied comments from girls as well. Everyone has their own tastes...
Also its funny you should mention the thing about gossiping. I literally just read an english proverb that says 'One tongue is enough for a woman'. So I suppose women have always talked a lot :biggrin:
Interestingly, Julian Assange made a similar reference to Western women on his dating profile. He said he prefers non-Western women because they're more interesting or something.
1. And what do you think people would say if we didn't shave? They'd probably be disgusted. And there's nothing at all wrong with physical hygiene, ridding of body hair is a part of that. People with hairy armpits are more likely to have body odour because of all the bacteria building up in there! It's nasty! There's also nothing wrong with wanting to look nice, hairstyling and make-up is not modern. It's been around a very long time
2. This one I will admit to but it's more of a personality trait, really? I'm indecisive, and you're going to blame that on my gender...? I know a lot of decisive women.
3. I'm very physically strong as I used to be a gymnast, I'm not afraid to tell people. :smile:
4. Don't do that, either.
5. Boys gossip just as much as girls. At least, all the ones I know do. Girls are just more open about it.
6. Again, that's hardly every western woman.
(edited 13 years ago)
Reply 29
Original post by Lewroll
Op, if you saw a masculine woman, who is very decisive, strong and builds things herself, is very brave, doesnt gossip and shows no flesh at all, would you think that was more odd than how you described women in the west?

It would definitely be odd compared to our established society. However, they would strike me as a relatively normal human being, I suppose. (I know that doesn't really make much sense...)
Reply 30
I shave my legs etc. because otherwise not only does it feel horrible but it's also really ugly. I like to dress up in somewhat revealing clothes from time to time as it makes me feel quite good with myself. Make-up again makes me feel happier with myself and more attractive, but that doesn't mean I wear it all the time.

Don't make decisions? what on earth do you mean? course I make my own decisions, even with friends :lolwut:

I don't see a massive importance of having muscles...that's more of a male thing.

Excessive cowardice, you mean that if I see someone getting attacked for example, I won't go to the rescue? Not only could I get hurt, but also I'm not the biggest of girls...

Gossip is just a part of socialising

Answered last point above.
_____________________________

May I ask OP, do you have many friends?
Reply 31
Original post by najinaji
I've noticed many oddities in women's behaviour (obviously not all women, but a sizeable majority) over my short 16 years.

-The obsession with 'femininity', shaving the body, long or fanciful hairstyles, makeup, clothes etc.
-Do not often make decisions very quickly, if at all (have noticed this in the difference between going out with female & male friends)
-Not much pride in physical strength or 'handiness' (DIY, for example)
-Excessive cowardice (often exaggerated)
-The tendency to gossip
-More revealing clothing (Tight, reveals breasts, legs etc.)

Now, I would like to say now that none of this is exclusive to women, but I have seen it arise more prominently in groups of women. I would also like to say that by no means am I saying men have no faults, but I am focusing on women for the time being.

Discuss? Explain?


1) Because it looks and feels better? I like to look nice, I enjoy being femenine and girls, and parts of the body feel better hairless.
2) Depends on the decision. I've never noticed this.
3) I'm not very good at DIY because I'm just not good at it. Not because I'm a girl.
4) Not true, for me at least. I do have phobias, but I'm not cowardly, as in I'm not afraid to express my opinions, I'm confident, and I'll say what I think, I don't care what people think about me.
5) I can't stand girls who do this.
6) I wear 'fitted' clothing because I have big boobs, so loose clothing hangs from them and makes me look cube shaped. :tongue: But I don't wear excessively revealing clothing, or extremely tight clothes other than skinny jeans.

Just one western woman's view! :tongue:
Reply 32
Original post by ktlaurenroe
1. And what do you think people would say if we didn't shave? They'd probably be disgusted. And there's nothing at all wrong with physical hygiene, ridding of body hair is a part of that. People with hairy armpits are more likely to have body odour because of all the bacteria building up in there! It's nasty! There's also nothing wrong with wanting to look nice, hairstyling and make-up is not modern. It's been around a very long time
2. This one I will admit to but it's more of a personality trait, really? I'm indecisive, and you're going to blame that on my gender...? I know a lot of decisive women.
3. I'm very physically strong as I used to be a gymnast, I'm not afraid to tell people. :smile:
4. Don't do that, either.
5. Boys gossip just as much as girls. At least, all the ones I know do. Girls are just more open about it.
6. Again, that's hardly every western woman.

1.) The tale that armpit hair increases body odour is actually false! The hairs help to keep moisture away from the skin, thus removing bacteria.
2.) It's a generalisation, but a strong one.
3.) You're quite unique in that respect.
4.) Same as 3.
5.) Again, I was generalising. Different experiences, I suppose?
6.) Not in the most extreme form, but women's clothes to tend to be a lot more tight-fitting?
Reply 33
Original post by Vampress
I shave my legs etc. because otherwise not only does it feel horrible but it's also really ugly. I like to dress up in somewhat revealing clothes from time to time as it makes me feel quite good with myself. Make-up again makes me feel happier with myself and more attractive, but that doesn't mean I wear it all the time.

Don't make decisions? what on earth do you mean? course I make my own decisions, even with friends :lolwut:

I don't see a massive importance of having muscles...that's more of a male thing.

Excessive cowardice, you mean that if I see someone getting attacked for example, I won't go to the rescue? Not only could I get hurt, but also I'm not the biggest of girls...

Gossip is just a part of socialising

Answered last point above.
_____________________________

May I ask OP, do you have many friends?

Why is that 'more of a male thing', do you think?

And by excessive (and overplayed) cowardice, I mean squealing all the time at the slightest things (which I have seen far, far too often)

(Yes, I do have some friends. They are mostly boys, admittedly. Always have been.)
Original post by najinaji
1.) The tale that armpit hair increases body odour is actually false! The hairs help to keep moisture away from the skin, thus removing bacteria.
2.) It's a generalisation, but a strong one.
3.) You're quite unique in that respect.
4.) Same as 3.
5.) Again, I was generalising. Different experiences, I suppose?
6.) Not in the most extreme form, but women's clothes to tend to be a lot more tight-fitting?


Haha, I suppose. :smile: My post came off a bit angrier than I meant it to, just felt like adding my input and ended up sounding enraged :P
And sorry if this is a bit TMI, but I have to say on the armpit hair front, in my experience it's true.. At least if I forget to shave for 3 days in a row (I am forgetful. I sometimes forget to wash my hair in the shower.) I can tell a difference, haha.
Reply 35
Original post by RoshniDiya
Boys: Oh my gahh girls wear too much make up, what sluts. I like a natural girl.
Boys: She's ugly, she doesn't even make an effort to do herself up!

Boys: Phwoarr check out that fit girls body, i wanna do her!
Boys: Girls have no respect for themselves, i can't find a girlfriend who doesn't dress like a slut.

In conclusion, boys need to shut up.


Err, girls aren't any different tbh.
Original post by joey11223
to be fair you get such varied comments from girls as well. Everyone has their own tastes...



Original post by S-man10
Err, girls aren't any different tbh.


Examples?
Reply 37
Original post by ktlaurenroe
Haha, I suppose. :smile: My post came off a bit angrier than I meant it to, just felt like adding my input and ended up sounding enraged :P
And sorry if this is a bit TMI, but I have to say on the armpit hair front, in my experience it's true.. At least if I forget to shave for 3 days in a row (I am forgetful. I sometimes forget to wash my hair in the shower.) I can tell a difference, haha.

Perfectly alright! Your post seemed fine to me.
I'll take your word for it on the body odour front. :tongue:
Also OP, many girls will say they enjoy these things, regardless of whether they actually do as they are afraid as being labeled as weird. Look at the vast number of people that do these things, they can't all enjoy it!
Reply 39
Original post by Lewroll
Also OP, many girls will say they enjoy these things, regardless of whether they actually do as they are afraid as being labeled as weird. Look at the vast number of people that do these things, they can't all enjoy it!

This is what strikes me.
When I used to follow these things, I never found any of it a particularly enjoyable experience. I just did it so I didn't get ridiculed. I've since learnt to ignore that sort of thing and do what makes me happiest.

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