UK: Patronising 'mansplaining' in Whitehall could be a thing of the past as civil servants fear offending Theresa May

Article here. Excerpt:

'It is the bane of women across the country - men 'mansplaining' things to them or talking over them in a patronising manner.

And it appears that even senior politicians aren't immune, as civil servants are reportedly now watching their step around Theresa May.

Whitehall is said to be concerned of committing the faux pas when dealing with Britain's second ever female prime minister and her colleagues, after one of Britain's senior security officials, Sir Mark Lyall Grant, was said to have displeased the Prime Minister with his conduct during a meeting, according to The Times.

Sources have apparently said that male officials are now "hyper-aware" of the need to behave appropriately around senior female politicians.

One said of his meetings with Theresa May's largely female team: "I maintain eye contact, ensure I offer only what's wanted and definitely do not talk over them to avoid causing offence."'

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There may be a place for both men and women to realize that they shouldn't condescend to other men and women. However, the word "mansplaining" is sexist and anti-male as it assumes that condescension only works one way.

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I totally agree, and I think that men need to start telling women to stop "womansplaining" or "femsplaining" when they act in a patronising fashion towards men. I also think that men should call the mansplaining hotlines to report women who act this way towards them just to make a point that it's not a one-way street.

That being said, if fembots take this mansplaining thing as far as they hope, it will end with "speak when spoken to". It sounds crazy, but it is a very slippery slope.

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