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Original poster

Am I right to be suspicious of my male flatmate wishing me a happy International Women’s Day?

167 replies

YourUmberNewt · 08/03/2026 10:08

My male flatmate wished me a happy International Women’s Day. I reacted with suspicion as to why he even knows that this exists, and that he might have ulterior motives for wanting to practice being “sensitive and thoughtful” to women. He thinks it is a good thing and that he’s “progressive”. AIBU?

OP posts:
CheddarCheeseAndCrispSandwich · 08/03/2026 10:53

It’s LITERALLY all over SM, news outlets, adverts! I’d be more concerned if he hadn’t noticed it to be honest.

You sound paranoid…are you always this suspicious of perfectly normal things?

Jesus! 🤯

FaceEatingLeopard · 08/03/2026 10:51

Probably best to log this with 101. Or 111. Someone anyway. Get it logged.
Whilst you're on the phone you could report yourself to Fruitcakes Anonymous.

Thanksforyourlackofthought · 08/03/2026 10:51

Bloody Hell. Brace yourself for your Birthday and Christmas.

disappointed124 · 08/03/2026 10:51

Duckiewasthefirstniceguy · 08/03/2026 10:14

What, precisely, is wrong with you?

Yes this???

Femalemachinest · 08/03/2026 10:51

I used to work in a factory with a lot of Eastern Europeans. Im English, never heard of it at that point but its a big thing there. One guy brought flowers in for every woman on our assembly line. When I got promoted our Polish manger bought the senior women chocolate.

Im not sure why you would be suspicious.

Ruggerchick · 08/03/2026 10:50

ainsleysanob · 08/03/2026 10:17

Men can’t do right for doing wrong with some women can they?

As is often the case on here.

Tacohill · 08/03/2026 10:50

I never thought I’d feel sorry for men until I came on MN.

You sound unhinged and like you try hard to find things to be offended by.

You must be exhausted to be around.

SerendipityJane · 08/03/2026 10:48

Have you told HR ?

Tontostitis · 08/03/2026 10:47

I can't believe I'm saying this but men deserve better than this

PollyBell · 08/03/2026 10:47

He's a man i am surprised he is allowed to speak

Original poster
YourUmberNewt · 08/03/2026 10:46

Greatly amused by the responses.

i don’t think my flatmate is misogynistic, i was just winding him up really. He’s quite sweet.

For me, the wider point is side-eyeing men who make a big show of being “progressive” and “empathising with women” - they are often more secretly misogynistic than men drinking 10 pints with the lads at football (but some having integrity around women)

OP posts:
ThatCyanCat · 08/03/2026 10:46

I don't really know what effect you're going for, but I'm pretty sure it's not the one you've got.

AtIusvue · 08/03/2026 10:46

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

That’s uncalled for and a personal attack

CocoaTea · 08/03/2026 10:46

AntiqueBabyLoanSmurf · 08/03/2026 10:37

What on earth would be the point of the day if nobody for whom the day wasn't for knew of its existence?

Are women so socially conditioned 'not to be a bother' to anybody else and always minimise and put themselves last that they need a special day to celebrate and acknowledge their great value in society; but "let's not make a fuss about it and actually tell anybody, eh"?

What makes you think people don't know about the day? Why do you assume that? The myopia here is unreal.

StephensLass1977 · 08/03/2026 10:45

This has to be a joke. Men are damned if they do, damned if they don't. Reminders of the day are absolutely everywhere. You can't really miss it. We had a big day at work about it on Wednesday. More than half the attendees were men.

I guess he thought he was trying to do the right thing. If I were him, I would no longer bother and would just not talk to you unless absolutely necessary.

DestinedToBeOutlived · 08/03/2026 10:44

Probably best to log this with 101, just in case it's part of a larger picture.

Imagine if he wishes you a happy birthday next. Just ew.

FlatErica · 08/03/2026 10:44

I don’t really understand the point of IWD.

CocoaTea · 08/03/2026 10:44

AtIusvue · 08/03/2026 10:25

Its creepy.

How many posters have woken up this morning, to be wished ‘a happy international women’s day’ by the men folk in their lives???………thought so

There is nothing creepy about it at all! My Dad sent me a message this morning and he is taking my mum and sisters (different country) to a celebration lunch.

Feminism should not equal
paranoia about all men. FGS.

Tigercrane · 08/03/2026 10:43

As a suspicious person myself, give him a chance perhaps he is genuine?Unless you have a back story on him?

Toomuchprivateinfo · 08/03/2026 10:42

It’s all over mainstream and social media, that’s how he knows. Yabu.

falalalaa · 08/03/2026 10:41

Im so glad I no longer have to house/flat share with lunatics like op

ainsleysanob · 08/03/2026 10:41

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Smartiepants79 · 08/03/2026 10:40

AtIusvue · 08/03/2026 10:25

Its creepy.

How many posters have woken up this morning, to be wished ‘a happy international women’s day’ by the men folk in their lives???………thought so

I have. He remembers every year. And he’s said to our daughters.

Saynototheinevitable · 08/03/2026 10:40

There's something wrong with you to even think this....

AntiqueBabyLoanSmurf · 08/03/2026 10:39

He'll be sure now to make sure that he doesn't offend you next year, and will mark it big on his calendar to wish you an UNhappy IWD, if that's your preference.

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