So you have a boyfriend who treats you nicely, takes you out, but then he hits you with a, “You can’t wear THAT outside.” And then you see it, patriarchy thrives on innate conditioning. This isn’t to steer hate towards men, no, trust me. However, there’s just so much of it in desi households, you forget how far and deep it’s ingrained. So, even your otherwise nice boyfriend may say things which are sexist, perhaps in a bid to control you or put you down.
You can do your bit by calling him out the next time he’s in sexist territory. Even if they insist they’re joking. ( Like LOL but what’s funny here?) How many of the following comments have you heard from your significant other?
1. “Babe, don’t overreact ya, is it that time of the month?”
2. “Wear something Indian please.”
Credit: Giphy/Lilly Singh
3. “You’re going to wear that while going out?”
4. “Girls do so much nautanki over things ya.”
Credit: Giphy/T.Kyle
5. “Babe, let me drive? You know what they say about women drivers LOL”
6. “Next time you need to go out at night, let me know, I’ll come with you.”
Credit: Giphy/Índian
7. *Proceeds to get disgusted by the sight of anything period*
8. “I can’t buy pads/tampons. How will it look if I ask?”
Credit: Giphy/ByPriyaShah
9. “I’ll buy the condoms, you don’t have to go to the pharmacy for that.”
10. “Moochein aayi hai haha.”
Credit: Giphy/KoffeeWithKaran
11. “She must have gotten the promotion because she slept with the boss, what else.”
12. “All my exes are crazy.”
Credit: Giphy/KoffeeWithKaran
13. “You’re not like other girls.”
14. “She likes cricket? How?”
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15. “Wow babe, you have not waxed in a while, have you?”
16. “I don’t like girls who wear too much makeup, I like natural girls.”
Credit: Giphy/ByPriyaShah
17. “How do you know how to play video games?”
18. “Even if I started after you, I’d still get ready before you. Why do girls take so long to get ready!”
Lead image credit: Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, Luv Films
