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What a man does when he assumes that most of the women he talks to need to hear his explanations. The problem is not the explanation itself but the underlying and often unconscious belief in inequality, the systematic assumption that women are not very intelligent, knowledgeable or competent. Mansplaining is always talking down, a form of condescension. It can be done with contempt and scorn or with benevolence and generosity, the way a father may explain something to a child. It can also be part of an attempt to impress a woman, like any other show of strength, competence, skill, money, cojones or bravery.

How can you tell that a man is mansplaining? – It is most obvious when a man who knows little about something explains it to a woman who knows a lot about it, like when a layman attempts to explain how the brain works to a female neurosurgeon. – When a man doesn’t attempt to find out how much a woman knows about something before explaining it to her. – When a man disregards evidence of her competence to continue his explanation more than once. – When the explanations are unsolicited, uncalled for or otherwise inappropriate. – When he continually cuts her off to continue his explanation. – When he explains her thoughts, feelings and behavior to her despite her objections.

When a man treats both men and women this way he is not a mansplainer per se, he is simply an entitled ass with an inflated ego who believes humankind stands to benefit from his knowledge.

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