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Thread Calls Out Men Who Undermine Professional Women By Flirting With Them At Work Events

byJinal Bhatt
17th September 2018
3 minute read

That men and their cavalier attitudes towards women’s professional ambitions are the biggest reason women quit their jobs is an accepted fact. Whether it is the gender bias in the wage gap, sexual harassment and exploitation at the workplace, or the subtle ways in which companies will avoid hiring female employees because they think their motherhood might affect their work—a woman almost always has to choose between her dignity and her career.

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Another thing that women often face, and which can be quite frustrating, is how they’re not taken seriously as professionals because of their looks, or simply, their gender.

Twitter user Stephanie Hurlburt voiced her displeasure at how men often view professional networking meet ups as opportunities to pick up women. And this, in turn, undermines the career advancement of professional women.

Whether it is a same-level employee or a mentor, when women approach either with the intent to network or establish a professional acquaintance, the men might see that as a chance to flirt with them or turn it into a date.

A clear instance of reading the situation wrong!

Stephanie explains the advice that she imparts to the women she mentors to tackle such situations or avoid them altogether.

The above guidelines seem exactly like the ones that women have often been advised to follow to be taken more seriously as professionals.

However, the onus is also on the men, that irrespective of how a woman is dressed or how friendly her demeanour is, there is no need to blur those professional lines and think of it as anything more than a genial attempt at networking professionally.

Stephanie urges men to go ahead and respect these boundaries and talk to the women about their work profiles as opposed to flirting.

Furthermore, she also beseeches them to help out if they think any men are putting women in any uncomfortable positions at such meetings or events.

The thread was well received and appreciated for the obvious reasons that this is quite the rampant practice across professions.

Both male and female Twitter users attested to the fact that this happens a lot of times, and also appealed to put an end to it.

Some women shared their own awkward encounters.

https://twitter.com/nicalexiac/status/1041577172484317185

https://twitter.com/nicalexiac/status/1041579500192952321

Others hoped for a time when men would see the error of their ways and see professional women as just any other professional, as opposed to ‘women’.

What was quite heartening was how so many men called out the practice and criticised their fellow men for it.

And now, thanks to the thread going viral, there might even be a hashtag movement in the making!

The OG writer, Stephanie, is quite ready to monitor the conversation and marshall help in whatever way she can to her fellow female professionals!

And it sure is catching up!

Of course, there is always that one person who wants to play the ‘What if men are the victim’ card. And to one such query, there was a perfect reply given!

https://twitter.com/liekev/status/1041288483455819776

“Feminism works both ways.”

*mic drop*

Parting thoughts on this issue are quite hopeful, as all women’s issues these days are.

Things suck right now. But change is gaining momentum. So why not jump on the bandwagon?

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