(no subject)

[serene]

Men who explain things.

(I allow men to explain things to me that I already understand, far too often. They should stop it, and I should stop allowing it.)

[Edit: To those men who are explaining linux text editors to me, I didn't mean you. I *don't* understand this, and I appreciate the help. It's coincidence that I ran across this article at this time. :-)]

Comments

[pure-agnostic.livejournal.com]

In this situation, why couldn't the man just ask, "Do you want me to explain this in depth? If you already understand this difficult topic, we can skip this subject for a more interesting conversation."

[algor-langeaux.livejournal.com]

I would guess that it wouldn't occur to them to even ask because they don't really care what the person they are "teaching" thinks.

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

Yes, why couldn't he? Do you have any ideas on why that might be?

[pure-agnostic.livejournal.com]

I don't think some people have the presence of mind to ask, or the ability to put themselves in another's viewpoint and ask themselves "Does this person really need/want to know?"

Also, see my above comment about how other people only exist for pontificators to bolster their egos by spewing words at them.

[redandfiery.livejournal.com]

other people only exist for pontificators to bolster their egos

Well, yes. But given this, I don't think it's a question of them not having the presence of mind to ask whether the explanation is wanted. They don't *care* whether it's wanted; *they* want to give it, to assert their "superiority", and in my experience will do so even if the person being lectured tells them that they know this stuff already.

And the blanket assumption that a woman will *not* know about whatever-it-is already is where this becomes a feminist issue, of course.

That's something I really *don't* miss about my ex-father-in-law.