how do you feel about the word "bubbly" when used of a woman and her personality?

I see it as being high energy and light hearted.

There are people who I think of as 'too cool for school' types, never showing enthusiasm because that is somehow embarrassing.
They would obviously dislike the word bubbly, and people who are bubbly.

more for* women than men.

Ime, it's a description used both positively and pejoratively and most certainly used more more women than men. It seems to be used more positively now than in the 80s and 90s, where bubbly (and especially blonde) women were taken for airheads and bimbos.
I haven't heard bubbly used in a negative way for years, however. I was described as bubbly in my last career (teaching). It was the fun-loving aspect of my character that drew my pupils in and made them excited to learn, so I'm happy with that. I'm wondering if the meaning differs in different regions now, as some posters upthread read the word as a negative.

I suspect it is used more often about women than men. I wouldn't associate it with overweight: light hearted, outgoing, maybe superficial (at least at first.)

The connotations for me come partly from the character Bubbles in AbFab, who was of course a caricature.

Good job I never suggested that. In your examples I'm sure it was meant in a positive way. That doesn't mean that it always is.

Eek, I immediately think this;
Bubbly...she's fat and loud, right?
That is the only time I ever hear it used. Probably not to sharp either.

"It makes me think friendly and fun."

Me too. Generally positive, but I can even see 'friendly and fun' as a negative. If the person is too generous with their friendliness and fun I suppose it can veer into bimboness.
I've never associated it with being fat - I think 'jolly' is the one I'd think of there to associate being friendly and overweight.

That doesn't mean it isn't also used mainly about women in a less than complimentary way

Yes of course my partner meant it as an insult about her assistant. I think you might question the mindset that assumes if a woman is being described it's an insult but if it's a man , it isn't.

It's patently nonsense to say anyone using it to describe a deceased person is being insulting if it is a woman.

"Except I found loads of examples of it being used about men." That doesn't mean it isn't also used mainly about women in a less than complimentary way.

As PPs have said, in my opinion, it's not a compliment. However, it may be that the meaning (or implication) changes by region.

To me, it means fat and loud and used mainly for females. It's not a word I'd use to describe anyone. It seems mean.

True, which also applies in reverse with people who are determined never to see sexism

Except I found loads of examples of it being used about men.

It makes me think friendly and fun.

Bubbly is not a compliment.

Bubbly I'm afraid instantly makes me think of a nice way of saying annoying. My pet hate is when someone says they're marmite- you love or hate me and you just know they drive everyone mad!!!

"Recounting their experiences does not of itself discount a mindset of starting with a determination to put the worst interpretation on it." True, which also applies in reverse with people who are determined never to see sexism.

Oh dear, I have never associated bubbly with loud fat stupid etc. I wonder if I've ever caused offence. If I described someone as bubbly it would be positive

I think you would have to be determined to take offence. As I said given the frequency with which it appears in obituaries would require a fair amount of determination.

^(of a person) full of cheerful high spirits.
"a bright and bubbly personality"^
synonyms: vivacious, animated, ebullient, lively, full of life, spirited, high-spirited, scintillating, vibrant, zestful, energetic, dynamic;^

People are recounting their own experiences Lass. Just because it's different to yours doesn't make it invalid

Again Google would seem to show it being a positive term. Recounting their experiences does not of itself discount a mindset of starting with a determination to put the worst interpretation on it.

I hate the term too, and cringe when I hear it.

I've never heard it describe a man.

I hear it often describe a woman, quite often a deceased woman, which is complimentary but inane, about a woman who was chatty, loud and a bit annoying.

Oh dear, I have never associated bubbly with loud fat stupid etc. I wonder if I've ever caused offence. If I described someone as bubbly it would be positive.

But I can't imagine ever using it about a man.

People call me bubbly. I see it as a compliment now. I'm neither loud fat or vacuous and the people who know me know that.

As a younger woman I did use to have a hard time getting people to take me seriously and always sensed this underlying assumption that friendliness and openness were seen as incompatible with intelligence and reason.

It annoyed me that the traits traditionally identified as "feminine": open, emotional, engaging in small talk, intuitive etc are often seen as for the empty headed whilst the more masculine "he doesn't waste time on small talk" kind is seen as admirable and a sign of intelligence.

Bubbly to me means warm, friendly, fun to be around. I've never thought of it as a negative.

People are recounting their own experiences Lass. Just because it's different to yours doesn't make it invalid.

I'm really surprised at this thread. Like Seneca I've never thought of it as a pejorative term.
Googling it brought loads of examples of it being used for men, all in a positive way ,and often in relation to describing someone after their death. I suppose it emphasises vivacity, literally and metaphorically.

Some of you seem determined to find sexism or something insulting in anything.

I've also only heard it used to describe a woman and when I do it's because the woman is question is being described as either, loud, a bit thick or, yes, overweight.

In the 80s jobs always wanted 'bubbly' women I always applied for them as I assumed the jobs would be easy and i could fake airhead

I think it used to mean effervescent and vivacious but now it is sometimes used with implied air quotes to convey loud and annoying - or too chatty.

Because being loud or chatty in a woman is perceived as annoying.

Which is bloody annoying.