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

[AntiGrinch]

I don't like it.
I think it is a word used when a woman has lots of nice qualities - outgoing, friendly, perhaps funny - but rather than just using those words (as you would of a man) a different word has to be used that feels (to me?) a bit patronising and demeaning

Am I being silly about this?

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!!!

Bubbly is not a compliment.

It makes me think friendly and fun.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

more for* women than men.

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.