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

[YourUmberNewt]

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?

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)

IWD is a good reminder of how awful the world can be for so many women. Misogynists* should take note

*including OP

Erm... I can say I also worked with some dicks 😂

Guys really cant win can they 😂

I was working at a school in China during March and International Womens Day and the male headtacher took the female staff out for a fancy several course meal, including me, which he paid for.

I was surprised but it's clearly a bigger thing in other countries than it is here. I don't understand why this would upset you?

I think you’ve misunderstood what that poster is trying to say.

it has always been bigger in countries where there has been a revolution i think because women's contribution to society is generally more acknowledged. (partly, of course, because they need all hands on deck)

I do side-eye men who “love women” for being women specifically (as opposed to treating each human as a human and on our merits). It reminds me of a guy I knew who was constantly cheating on his girlfriend, with the justification “I just love women. You’re so wonderful, the world would be a terrible place without you all”

Exactly.
My beer drinking, football season ticket holder husband is the least misogynistic person I know. And he wished me a happy international women’s day this morning.

That was my response to OP's absurd suspicion as to why a man could possibly know about IWD!

I most certainly don't share that way of thinking myself!

I hope I don't bump into you and wish you a happy day, birthday, life etc, wow my mind is blown by this post. Please warn him that you're super suspicious minded and he shouldn't be pleasant to you. What the hell

Mine did too! He's also dad to a feisty, feminist teenage girl.

It's such lazy stereotyping.

One van be a dick but he better has that carnations ready🙈

This is a windup thread, people.

Oh ffs op

Mostly yes (and I was originally winding up my flatmate)

the Polish guys buying all their female colleagues flowers and chocolates are all 100% cheating on their wives though.

"Ha ha, you all fell for my evil genius plot! This was actually a masterminded joke that I didn't mean and which landed exactly the way I intended! I am playing you all for my amusement as I twirl my moustache! Mwa ha ha haaaaa!"

Really, OP?

Welcome to Mumsnet OP.
Fascinating first post.🙄

@YourUmberNewt Yes, you're right to be suspicious. It's common knowledge that "feminist" and "progressive" men with soft, effeminate voices are the most creepy and untrustworthy of all men.

And yes, it's generally something that men do as a fashion thing. Like "hey look how cool I am, I am a sensitive progressive man." Women would do best to have friendships with men who are sincere and authentic.

My husband and children did. The children that are also women, I wished the same to them as well.
He also announced that he doing all the washing up and cooking today and to put my feet up. (As a joke because he usually pulls his weight anyway)
That’s why I’m lounging in bed on mumsnet taking the entire day to myself when I am perfectly well and have tons of shit to do, but it’s my day so I’m going to do absolutely nothing useful and enjoy every second on it.

My boyfriend said it in his good morning text to me. What’s suspicious about it?

We want men to join in with feminism and be on our side, but then you make batshit posts like this when they do. What’s wrong with you?

Of course not, stop looking into everything looking for drama

Yup and they’re often very into “ethical non monogamy” aren’t they. Bet Lily Allen’s husband seduced her with his thoughtful takes on feminism

Sending you good thoughts op
i feel you must be in a bad place to be so worked up by nothing.
hope you seek the help you need