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MineralMan

(146,331 posts)
Sat Feb 10, 2018, 04:28 PM Feb 2018

How to Avoid Being Accused of "Mansplaining"

Stop talking. Don't interrupt. Just listen. Ask questions that let you learn from the other person, then listen to the answers and think about them. Listen some more. Answer questions without making assumptions. Don't assume you know more than the other person.

If you aren't 'splaining, you can't be "mansplaining."

18 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
How to Avoid Being Accused of "Mansplaining" (Original Post) MineralMan Feb 2018 OP
If I could afford to give you a heart Lunabell Feb 2018 #1
That's OK. I already have an embarrassing number of them. MineralMan Feb 2018 #3
When you listen to people thbobby Feb 2018 #2
That's true, too. MineralMan Feb 2018 #4
So if my wife tries to explain something to me ...? n/t Igel Feb 2018 #13
Why is your sig line in Cyrillic ??? RandomAccess Feb 2018 #14
I think this is good advice across the board. JDC Feb 2018 #5
Yes. It's really ancient advice, too. MineralMan Feb 2018 #8
I almost always know more than the other person. Loki Liesmith Feb 2018 #6
That may well be true. But, you might not learn MineralMan Feb 2018 #10
MM - Excellent post! Ohiogal Feb 2018 #7
I started by listening to my mother. MineralMan Feb 2018 #9
Thanks for the explanation, man. unblock Feb 2018 #11
LOL! MineralMan Feb 2018 #12
I need to give you several hearts....I have to deal this every darn day.. HipChick Feb 2018 #15
What inspired you to post this? oberliner Feb 2018 #16
Someone mentioned mansplaining in MineralMan Feb 2018 #17
Gotcha oberliner Feb 2018 #18

thbobby

(1,474 posts)
2. When you listen to people
Sat Feb 10, 2018, 04:31 PM
Feb 2018

you cure your ignorance. When you explain to people you display your ignorance.

MineralMan

(146,331 posts)
4. That's true, too.
Sat Feb 10, 2018, 04:34 PM
Feb 2018

My assumption is that everyone I meet knows things I don't know. I'd like to learn from them. If someone asks for information that I know, I'm happy to share it, but I don't assume that I know stuff that person doesn't. If they want my opinion or information, they can ask me.

MineralMan

(146,331 posts)
8. Yes. It's really ancient advice, too.
Sat Feb 10, 2018, 04:38 PM
Feb 2018

The best way to make a friend is to listen. That has always been true.

Here's one: "If you wish to appear intelligent, listen with your full attention. People will assume you are intelligent if you do that."

Another: "One sure way to display your ignorance is to open your mouth and speak of it."

MineralMan

(146,331 posts)
10. That may well be true. But, you might not learn
Sat Feb 10, 2018, 04:42 PM
Feb 2018

the things the other person cares about and knows more about than you do. If you're talking, you're not learning, most of the time. All to often, we try to teach others things they don't care to learn. That's boring.

MineralMan

(146,331 posts)
9. I started by listening to my mother.
Sat Feb 10, 2018, 04:40 PM
Feb 2018

Then, I listened to my high school girlfriend. My mother taught me many important things. My high school girlfriend taught me how she wanted to be treated. Later, I listened to my wife, my supervisors who were women, and pretty much everyone else who would talk to me.

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