Walk Out: Dealing With Sexist Conversations You Don't Want To Entertain

You will always find people who think that they have the right to speak almost anything in the name of freedom of speech and choice. That is the reason why casual sexism, misogynist remarks and sexual comments are so easily passed on without any consideration. So what to do when you can't stand these conversations anymore?

We always talk about fighting back for our rights, being our own voice, to speak up against any wrong thing said or done. Many of us do so as well but there are certain actions that, though they seem passive, can be really helpful to make people understand your boundaries. One of them is walking away from people that are problematic. We often find ourselves in the middle of conversations that are outright wrong; where the other person may be cracking sexist jokes in the name of fun. Such conversations are hard to tolerate and talking back seems like talking to a wall.

In situations you can't or don't feel like talking back to the person but still want to show that you are against their point of view or don't want to indulge in their absurd conversations, you just walk away. Stand up and walk away from that person or group, make it clear that you don't comply with what they infer. It may seem rude or disrespectful but it is a great gesture to show you are against something.

Suggested Reading: Sexist Dialogues In Bollywood Movies That Are Disguised As Backhand Compliments

Dealing With Sexist Conversations

A mother on Reddit shared her experience with her husband's uncle who, in front of the entire family during Christmas, was passing sexual comments on her two-year-old daughter. The woman was outraged but the audacity of a grown-up sexualising a child but other people in the room didn't say anything to him. Instead of yelling or shouting or talking back, the woman picked up her child and walked away from them. She explained how walking away is the best thing to do when she doesn't want to convince anyone or clarify anything.

Most family gatherings usually have one person like this who make the women in the family uncomfortable. Though everyone knows about their behaviour, they are not always able to speak up against them. The elder ones especially get away with such things. Women are told to stay away from them instead of confronting them about their actions which are so problematic. Though it is not a permanent solution, walking away surely sends out a strong message of going against such people.

Conversations about equal rights, respect and opportunity for women are not new to anyone. People who are against it always have certain repetitive excuses to give. Trying to convince such people and putting the right points across can be exhausting if the person is not ready to understand. When you walk away from such conversations, you are making clear to everyone in the room that you don't agree with what they believe.

Your walkout will encourage other people, who are uncomfortable too but can't speak up, to isolate the person as well. Isolating the person from family meets, group gatherings or conversations will make them realise that their regressive opinions and problematic mindset don't matter. If they will have any conscience, they will not talk like that again. If not, then they are already not a part of your conversations anymore.

Views expressed by the author are their own.