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Great observation, Shawn
(beehaw.org)
[Image description: image of text which reads "I like when men explain basic things to me because in my mind it's not mansplaining, it's more like when a toddler is really excited to tell you about dinosaurs and you're like that's right cutie! You're so smart!! Only one of us is being condescending and it's me", to which Shawn replies "if you have to announce when you're condescending, you're doing it wrong."
OP replies "that's a great observation, Shawn! Great job!" with a heart emoji]
I wonder how many of those guys are actually trying to put women down, and how many are just trying to be helpful and talk to another human being.
Its both, except in the case of this post where the person is clearly being snarky and trying to put this woman down.
Most mansplaining is a man trying to be helpful. The issue arises in that they try to be helpful in situations where, if it was another man, they wouldn't try to be helpful, because they'd assume the man already knew the thing.
An obviously stretched out example, but, if someone was dreadfully thirsty and I, out of the absolute kindness of my heart, tried to offer them advice like "Gosh, that sounds awful. I'm so sorry. Have you tried drinking water? I've been thirsty before and water always fixes me right up", I'm sure we'd all agree this is misplaced advice and probably reflects on my perception (or presumptions) of their intelligence.
Less than you'd think. While some people definitely do over explain things from excitement and talkativeness, it's easy to recognize when someone is being an ass.
(this reply added almost purely for comedic value because of the thread)
When we're talking about the countable number of something, "fewer" is a more appropriate word to choose; when it's more conceptual then "less" is a better option. A good way to recognize which to choose is by examining the prompting question. In the parent comment you replied to, the question was "how many guys?" which alludes to a set number. Had they asked "how much of this" then there's not a way for us to know the count. As an example: I could have used fewer words for this reply but I would have to be less pedantic.
Hmm, and might I just add, could of*, per chance. 🥂
gif of an epic leaping high five goes here