Do you feel women are inferior to men? Do you not consider a woman to be an equal to a man? Then, you, my friend, are a male chauvinist! An urban slang, Male Chauvinism is a term used to define people who have the mentality that women are inferior to them.
It is not a kind of breed, it is just a kind of attitude which makes them think that women are only worth as showpieces. Mental and physical labor can only be handled by men only. This attitude believes that men are superior to women in every case. These men have never imagined in at least their own mind a woman in substance who is capable of doing almost everything that men are capable of doing. They believe never to encounter such a woman because they don’t think women are made to compete with or do the equal work as men do. They have spent their whole life in blabbering about the achievements of the great man thinking they are the same as they were.
We all have seen male chauvinists in our life, and most of the women have suffered and dealt with them. The prejudices that women go through everywhere they go is a part of this sexist mentality.
As far as a workplace is concerned, it is believed that everyone working puts equal efforts to take the company forward. However, male chauvinist does not have the same perspective as everyone else do. In the workplace, they think women are meant to be handling the lesser important tasks as they can not deal with something which is associated with new ideas, important decisions, greater opportunity, and responsibility. Those male chauvinist pigs believe that women employees should think before raising their voice before their bosses or male employees. Women who hold themselves behind with such kind behavior tend to lag behind in their own careers. If your colleague is doing something which you feel is unjust or inappropriate, stand against it.
Sexism is a serious issue. No one at a workplace should have the rights to promote it. You can, of course, involve people into this. However, the better thing will be to take precautions and keep a body language that can rebel against the male chauvinism. Involving some management isn’t always the right. Therefore, here are some tips to manage a sexist and chauvinist colleague at the workplace.
#1. Ignorance Is Bliss
When a male chauvinist colleague is trying to make you their audience, deliberately ignore him. You do not need to ignore them all the time, but when they are trying to say something specifically to you, you do not need to waste your attention on them. Try and pick the conversation-killing sentences so that they cannot take advantage of the situation. It is sometimes better to ignore such people rather than wasting your words on them. Investing the sweat of your brow on them in trying to make them a better person is a waste of time, trust us! It will stop serving any purpose to them when you will start ignoring them. Though, keep quiet only until the time it is needed. If they cross the line, take action accordingly.
#2. Let The Work Speak For You Instead
As they say “Empty vessels make more sound”! It is useless and pointless that you waste your precious time on the people like them. They have their world build around themselves. It is literally unworthy of them to get your brooding and time. Instead of trying to change them, it is better to focus on your performance. Be firm about your work and approach towards them. Once you are firm and strong, you will definitely excel in your work. This way, no one will dare take you and your potential for granted. Search for new and greater opportunity that can get you to higher responsibility. Even take initiatives to hold more projects and responsibility. Take the golden opportunity with both your hands and don’t shy away. Once the office and management realize that you are a worthy candidate, then you won’t even have to answer those male chauvinists, your work will speak for you.
#3. Dress Appropriately
How expected is that for a male chauvinist to comment on the way you dress up. Well, because they realize that beauty and clothing might be a weakness for a woman. Do not dress up tacky or shabbily. You, of course, don't want to be called a bimbo by those male chauvinists as they believe that women are just meant to be beautiful, nothing more than that. On the other hand, you don’t want to look like as if you are going to a party. The safest side is classy and not too revealing if your workplace does not demand that much. Make a nice hairdo and put on a day out makeup.
#4. Understand Your Work Inside Out
The damn male chauvinists will definitely poke you about your work. They will take and make use of every opportunity to put you down because of your work if they don't get anything other than that. Believe us, the moment you will give them a chance to point you out to work, they will. Try and have a vast knowledge as you can about the work. The very moment you say something inappropriate about your work they will jump on you like hungry dogs with the points of sarcasm and criticism. The most effective and efficient way to deal with these chauvinists is to understand the dynamics of your work inside and out.
#5. Forget Popularity, Earn Respect
There is a big line between being ‘respected’ and being ‘popular’. There is a clear distinction in this, ladies, and you need to really make sure you get the slot of the respectful ones. If your colleagues respect you at the workplace, that means you know your job and are great at what you do. Whereas, being popular means you gel up with everyone well and have a friendly nature. Being popular will not be enough to shut the sharp tongue of the male chauvinists. And if you are respected, of course, they will think twice before speaking oddly against you as nobody wants to get in trouble with a woman with the attitude which is appreciated in office.
#6. Talk Back If Needed
There are times when you just can’t step back and buy the shit from the male chauvinist. You have to take action at times. Do you ever feel that you have reached your saturation point with a male chauvinist? Yes, “been there, done that” is the answer from most women. You need to learn to speak at those points. Talk back and talk loud to them. Over the time, it is simply impossible to ignore them sometimes. Most importantly, in order to hold to your reputations and ground, you need to talk back to them sometimes. If you don't answer them, it will happen again and again. Just answer them and shut them once and for all.
#7. Pick Sarcastic Office Prank
We all pull funny pranks in office, don’t we? Then why can’t you pull a prank on the male chauvinist pig? Of course, you can. In order to spice it up a little make sure to add sarcasm to it. The motive behind this activity gets them the hell out of their comfort zone. The people who have such mentality tend to have their own space of insulting and pulling pranks on others. However, they hardly have the capability to take jokes on themselves. This way if you use smart sarcastic comment, you can let them know that you want to get rid of him.
#8. Take Control
There is one thing that male chauvinist hate and can’t take when a woman is in control. A woman with authority is like a nightmare to them. It is not a big deal these days, however, for the usual people, not for the male chauvinist. Here you can stamp them down with being in the position to shut them up with your legal right. If you are at a position that is superior to them, feel free to show them how they should be dealt. A fiery verbal assault or some harsh sarcastic comment will work as a poison for them. This way they will have to think twice before calling a women “the weaker sex.”
#9. Dare To Say “Enough”
There are times when the situation can be better described as “enough is enough.” If you feel that situation has come, do not hesitate counter attack that pig and say “enough is enough.” Though, you do not need to behave impulsively with them. Calm yourself down, let the anger cool down a little and then come up with an answer which can shatter their intentions. Even if you are attacking, opt an approach which is more diplomatic. You need to be a little diplomatic as you are under the roof your workplace. Sometimes dropping everyone a hint of his behavior is more than enough. Drop a nasty comment or argument showing you do not agree with him and that everyone gets what your point is.
#10. Seek Help
If you think the problem of the male chauvinist cannot be solved by yourself, don’t hesitate to seek help from others. There can be other women as well who must be the victim of the same behavior torture from that person. Take the back from such women and talk to the superiors or boss about this matter. If the things that he or they does is not solved, they will get the courage to carry this attitude with other women as well. This can be a struggle that every second woman is going through at your workplace, then take a step. Help yourself and others as well. The mentality like this is the root to spoil the environment of the workplace.
These were the few ways that can help you to deal with the male chauvinists of your workplace. We hope it can assist you in making your office life a little easier and manageable with those male chauvinists. We would love to know your experience and thoughts about it. Do share with us in the comment section below.
(Featured Image Courtesy: First Business Logistics)
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