Here is a scenario that may sound familiar to some women: You are in a group chatting. One of the people in the group happens to be a man. You divulge something about yourself that may be less than flattering, such as "I don't keep my house clean 24/7" or "I don't shave everyday in the winter." The women in the group have a strange reaction. Instead of relating with or identifying to you as they unquestionably would if the man were not present, they begin to babble on about how "gross messy houses are and they spend hours cleaning each week" or how "they cannot stand to have stubble on their legs even thought no one else sees it." All while giving sideways glances to the man to see what his reaction is. You are left feeling awkward and slightly betrayed.
I can understand why a woman would pull this type of stunt if she wanted to pursue a relationship or sleep with the man present. But the times I have witnessed or been the target of this type of dismissal, this was not the case at all. In some cases, the women present were in relationships. In others, the man present was extremely far out of the age range of any of the women. Why do some women feel a strong need to impress any man present regardless of their sexual interest in them?
Some men compete with one another mercilessly for a woman's approval, but this is typically only if they are both actively pursuing a relationship with her. I have never witnessed a man cut another man down for any woman who happens to be present. To provide an illustrated example, have you ever seen two married men, ages 30 and 40, flexing (while pretending not to flex) while casually mentioning that they are expert chefs and lumberjacks simply because a 65 year old woman happens to be present?
Why do some women feel they have to defer to or try to impress every single man in the universe?
I'm not writing this to cut down any one who has done the above due to the sheer fact that we still live in a patriarchal society. It is sad, however, that some people do not consider a strong sisterhood, being honest to others, and being able to laugh at oneself to be more valuable than pretending to fulfill every man's view of what "a good woman should be."
But maybe I am spoiled. I consider myself to be extremely lucky because I have a great network of female friends who accept me for exactly who I am without question or judgment. We feel we talk and joke openly in front of men without cutting each other down. I suppose not everyone is lucky enough to have that.