Why is it ok to comment about weight gain in a man, but not a woman?

Question

I recently attended an event in my bf's home town. He is 6'4" and was extremely thin for his height in school. He was a star athelete, but he is 41 now and has a fex extra pounds. He is not obese or anything, he just has that midddle age stomach. He is working on getting it off, but it just offended me when people would comment on his weight. Maybe it was because he was sooo thin in HS,(he weighed about 170, at 6'4") ! But still, if they had commented on a female, it would have been considered rude, so why is it ok tosay something to a man?

Answer 1

It is NOT ok to comment on a man's weight gain. It is very impolite. However, we don't take it as hard as a woman does -- or at least we don't make a big deal of it. We feel it all the same.

Answer 2

You've pretty much answered the question yourself. You say that it offended YOU when people commented on his weight; you never say that it offended HIM. Women tend to just be touchier about these subjects than men. We don't want ANYBODY saying that we've put on some weight. PERIOD. Men can say, "Put on a few pounds over the years, haven't you?" to each other, and they don't care. So what if their high school friends think they're fat? They're probably either fat, bald, or both, as well! Women can pat them on the belly and say "Getting a little thick in the middle, aren't you?" and they're just glad that women are still looking at them and touching them. It is still, technically, rude, but men are just less likely to get upset about it.

Answer 3

No disrespect, but women are more sensitive than men when it comes to hearing about their weight gains. Hey, I'm just stating the facts!

Answer 4

Women take more offense to this sort of thing because of the media and thier idea of "womens so-called ideal body type." The same is there for men but not to the same extent as it is or has been for women.

Answer 5

Because men don't take it so personally. They take it as constructive criticism. Usually they nod knowingly and say, 'you're right, I gotta get in shape'. Women on the other hand become defensive, spiteful, angry or even enraged. THAT'S why it's 'ok' to say it to a man, but not a woman.

Answer 6

men are not as sensitive about their weight as women are. Ask him if he was offended. If he wasn't then you being offended on his account doesn't make much sense does it?

Answer 7

because generally men aren't as sensitive about their weight as women, therefore less likely to be offended

Answer 8

The same reason it's okay to ask a man his age but not a woman!!

Answer 9

Weight gain in women makes them look old and unattractive. Weight loss in women makes them look young and sexy.

Answer 10

cuz me dont really care that much bout it.