14 Comments
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Jude Berman's avatar

Love and agree with everything... except the conclusion. Good? Nah. I'd much prefer "it’s time we [all] tried being rude, loud, mouthy women"

Lori B. Duff's avatar

Ah, see, but that's my point. Being rude, loud, mouthy women isn't nice, but it IS good.

Nancy Dafoe's avatar

Quotable: "Lord, give me the confidence of a mediocre white man." Love it

Andrea Ezerins's avatar

I loved that one too!

Caroline OConnell's avatar

Riveting read. Thanks Lori. Brings up so many thoughts. The first and main one being if you're showing off, you're not learning or discovering something new. My older, wiser self knows that it's more interesting (and engaging) to learn something new than to repeat what I already know. As a travel writer, I like observing and figuring out new cultures. The truly fascinating people I've known are constantly seeking out new info. My two cents.

Jill G. Hall's avatar

I hear you, sister! I too have hidden in bathrooms hoping the mansplaining will be done by the time I return to the table. Sadly, it rarely is.

Denise Thiery's avatar

Great piece, Lori, but I'm curious... will the person it refers to read it? Will he recognize himself? I would hope so, but probably not.

Andrea Ezerins's avatar

Often, if you hit them over the head, they wouldn't recognize it. So I think Lori is safe.

Lori B. Duff's avatar

That was my thought. I doubt he'll read it, and if he does, he wouldn't recognize himself.

Kate Mahar's avatar

“The confidence of a mediocre white man” . . . HAHAHAHAHA! Oops. Snorted coffee on my iPad. Love you ❤️

Lori B. Duff's avatar

Love you, too.

Claudia's avatar

Amen to this.

Cindy Eastman's avatar

Oh, yes...every word of this. As I've gotten older, my RBF has become more obvious, less controllable (if it ever was). I recall when I was on our local BOE and was so grateful we had to wear masks, otherwise, I probably would have gotten into trouble. You're younger than I am, so you possibly still have some reservoir of patience that allows you to excuse yourself to the ladies room. I do not. But I'm okay with that. Good one, Lori.

Lori B. Duff's avatar

I don't think it's that I'm younger, I think it's that as a trial attorney for over 30 years I've had professional experience in schooling my face to be neutral. Inside is a rager.