To get annoyed when people label women as 'dizzy' 'ditsy' and 'thick'?

[organictwat]

It really bothers me when it's said in a way that puts women down, I've never heard these words said about men.

I find both men and women are happy to put women down with comments like 'she's a bit thick' or 'she's a barbie doll' accompanied by snide looks and eye rolling.

AIBU?

[Jackin]

No you're not being unreasonable, but it does go both ways.

[Hullygully]

I agree. Men are called thick, but it's not linked to a Barbie fluffiness.

[MrsReasonable]

'Thick' certainly isn't gender-specific.

You have a point with dizzy and ditzy, although I've never heard a woman called oafish or a creep.

[Tee2072]

I hear men called thick all the time.

[Jackin]

Yes we all have gender specific slang. But it depends how you use it.

[organictwat]

I don't think it's used as freely and in the same derisive tone it is used with women

[Trills]

Dizzy/ditzy are quite different to thick. They mean quite different things. Someone who is ditzy can be very intelligent.

[Georgimama]

Dizzy and ditzy are not the same as thick. Some people are thick, although it may not be nice to actually say so. Some women do actually act in a little girl lost "ditzy" fashion for reasons which escape me. I prefer to call them (in my head) vacuous morons. Is that better?

[Jackin]

Ditzy can be someone who whilst being intelligent doesn't focus as well or maybe not much common sense. Is that right? what do other people think it means?

[MollysChamber]

What Georgimama said.

[Omigawd]

Georgimama +1

[organictwat]

Georgimama - do you think they may behave (rightly or wrongly) in that way as it is a learnt behaviour from childhood?

[Georgimama]

God knows - it is entirely possible. I was never allowed to be a giggly, silly little girl as my mother couldn't bear it (she had 2 boys before me - I was raised like the boys; they were raised like the dogs).

[squeakytoy]

But some women ARE ditzy, thick, and/or dizzy. Men can be thick too.

Some men can also be ditzy or dizzy too, but it is generally women who behave that way more than men.

[superjobeespecs]

im clever :) can hold a pretty decent conversation about the state of the world if im in the right mood but god am i 'ditzy' my mum always says se never screwed my head on right when i was a kid ppl who know me are used to it but ppl who dont know me assume im an idiot. it bugged me at times then i realised they can think what they want because the ppl who matter to me know the real me. ditzy dumb ass an all

[MollysChamber]

I wonder if it's to do with this multi-tasking nonsense that women are supposed to be amazing at?

As we're still generally left with proportionately more tasks to complete when compared to men, those that aren't actually that good at juggling get called ditzy.

Whereas men don't so much because they're not expected to work, run a house, cater to the whole families whims?

Or am I overthinking this now?

[organictwat]

There seems to be a real sense on contempt for women who seem ditzy/dizzy and for women who the word 'hun' and put sparkles on things - I'm not saying all of these things go hand in hand - and I find it interesting.

[MollysChamber]

Well the "hun" and sparkles is understandable surely?

[SherlockMoans]

It doesnt bother me at all, some people are so dumb you wonder how they manage to find their way out of bed in the morning its not a gender specific thing.

If you are talking about men you know who only refer to women in this way then I think perhaps you need to widen your social circle as they have a problem with women in particular some insecure men need to feel superior to women and really that kind of man isnt worth spending time thinking about.

Regarding the Barbie Ditzy thing - my friend and I, both articulate strong women, are not above using that to our advantage in "blokey" enviroments where they make that assumption (i.e. Kwikfit!) Its quite beneficial to have people initially underestimate you sometimes....when you get to the "point" its more of a shock!

[SherlockMoans]

D'oh "environments"

[organictwat]

MollysChamber - perhaps!

I'm considered dippy by a lot of people as I have mild ADHD but am by no means thick, just very exiteable and have problems remembering and organising

[organictwat]

SherlockMoans - the contempt comes more other women (of all backgrounds) ime and well educated liberal men, but obviously this is my personal experience

[MollysChamber]

Barbie Ditzy? - I give you ... Paris Hilton. More vacuous moron perhaps.

By all accounts she's made a bloody fortune from it - to add to her already huge trust fund.

I can't bear her.

However she has a hugh fan base of young girls and women who idolise her.

[Ormirian]

I don't like the terms at all.

Thick is gender-neutral I think

It makes it OK for women to be stupid - or to be described as such - because it is made out to be endearing and slightly cute. Another excuse not to take women seriously.