There are some things that come with the territory of being a woman in India – things that we have been hearing, time and again, since we were kids. Things that make our blood boil and make us want to hurl our 5-inch stilettos at the person. We’re sure these will resonate with all of you! Next time someone says these things to you, resist the urge to whack them black and blue and give them the “death stare”.

1. Are you PMSing?

If you’ve said this for the umpteenth time during an argument, then do not blame your lady love for throwing the remote at you!

 

2. Don’t you think it’s time you got married?

Hit 23 – or sometimes as early as 18 – and that’s all anybody and everybody can think of. They make it seem like us Indian women are just born to get married!

3. Why don’t you have a boyfriend?

Ah… if you’re single, this is one question you’re always asked – which is then followed by “Are you a lesbian?” Grrrr.

4. Decent women don’t drink, smoke, date, or have sex before they’re married

Yes, and also that you can’t cut your nails on Thursday… SAYS WHO? These are all personal choices to be made by a person, and no one has the right to inflict their choice on you. (It’s amazing how these things only Indian women are told, right, and not our menfolk?)

5. If you’re menstruating, you’re dirty

Many communities believe that you’re dirty when you’re menstruating, and it’s taboo to touch cutlery or enter the kitchen or even enter a place of worship! This is ludicrous, and people REALLY need to revisit their archaic mindsets ASAP.

 

6. Always listen to a man, he’s right

Patriarchy rules the roost, even today! The Indian man, people would have us believe, is GOD, and so this is something we routinely hear around us. Why can’t we have a healthy debate to put our points across, huh?

7. A girl and a guy can’t be just friends

The world has moved on, but India’s still stuck. Society would have us belief that a man and a woman can never have a platonic friendship without thinking of sex every time they hang out! This belief HAS to be thrown out of the window – and it’s the job of us ladies who have as many guy friends as girl friends to speed up the process.

 

8. Why are you studying (or working) so much? You have to get married soon!

Yes, because everything comes down to getting married, right? WRONG!

9. You’re such a slut

Wear something short and slightly revealing, and you’ll soon be termed a slut. Break up with a boyfriend, and you’re a slut. In fact, if you HAVE a boyfriend, you’re a slut. Slut-shaming is a fairly popular pastime among many Indian men, but the sad thing is that far too many women participate as well. Let’s stop the shaming NOW, people!

10. If you’re not thin and fair, you aren’t pretty

You know what we say to this? HOGWASH.

11. Children are your responsibility

If during conception there were two people involved in the process, WHY should the responsibility of taking care of the child lie completely with the mother? It’s high time the dads step up! It has to be a shared responsibility, people.

12. If you were molested, raped, sexually, mentally or physically assaulted, it’s your fault

If you want to know the brilliant IQ of scores of politicians, leaders and babas in India then go through what they think about rape. This video by AIB that stars Kalki Koechlin and Juhi Pandey sums all our feelings up.

13.  If you’re a feminist, you hate men, you want to dominate men or you’re a lesbian

The biggest myth surrounding feminism is that women who believe in it want to be one-up on men or hate them. No! Feminism means equality for both the sexes. So that means equal pay, equal opportunities and equal status. GET it?

14. You’re bossy if you want your work to get done or have a point of view

If you’re in a work atmosphere, there is a certain professional conduct to be maintained whether you’re a man or a woman, and a woman shouldn’t be labelled bossy because she’s asked for certain work to be done!

 

15. Why are you weeping like a little girl?

When did being a girl become everything negative? “Running like a girl”, “crying like a girl”, “playing like a girl” are all linked to weakness – while “manning up” is linked to being brave! Let’s take our power back and stop linking women to being weak. #LikeAGirl

         

16. Your biological clock is ticking…

After you turn 25, welcome this beautiful sentence thrown around by just about everyone with a smirk or sarcastic comment. Guess what, it’s YOUR biological clock – so not anyone else’s business!

Gifs courtesy: Giphy.com

- See more at: www.popxo.com/2014/07/things-all-women-are-sick-and-tired-of-hearing/#sthash.xb3zMT5e.dpuf