I recently eavesdropped on a conversation, while traveling in a train, wherein two young gentlemen were discussing their financial & future life plans, how they would be earning as much as Jeff Bezos in the next few years riding on a 'super disruptive' idea they have for a startup, and how they would be retiring young at an age of 35. It was more like a Deja Vu for me and so I, smilingly & bendingly, continued eavesdropping on their fantasies, oops, financial & future plans.

From Jeff Bezos's divorce alimony to bitching about their bosses, to mundane 9 to 5 schedule, to their 'awesome' startup idea, to leaving the job, to hiring smart 'men', and earning pool of money, their discussion explored everything a young mind could fantasize about. Listening to their exchange of thoughts, I had a constant smile on my face to the point where the woman sitting in front of me, facing towards me, started to 'adjust' herself feeling threatened by it. However, I was more interested in their dialogue rather than in controlling my 'harmless' smile.

In the middle of their exciting discussion, one asked, rather taunted the other with "Were you a female in your previous life?" and the discussion that started on Jeff Bezos suddenly diverted to one arguing how the other could say something like this to him, and explaining why he was not a woman in his previous life, and why he is the epitome of the manhood of this civilization. Suddenly, I sensed a noxious smell of male chauvinism and masculine pride but thankfully my earphones came to the rescue, killing my 'harmless' smile and giving a much-needed comfort to the woman in front.

"Were you a female in your previous life?"

Aah.. the same old way of jibing at others by a majority of the population, who thinks of achieving some sort of a feat by belittling or taunting others while showing off their male chauvinism & masculine pride. But it does not stop here as the above phrase can also be accompanied by saying phrases like - Are you a pussy?, You just don't have the balls?, or Don't behave like a girl, or anything that their sexist mind could generate. These situational little pleasures and the subsequent dopamine kicks continue to feed their bigotry and prejudiced mind with no f#$king one to question or educate them back.

Sounds...err...like "this is the way of society", right? Sad, isn't it?

Try asking a man "Were you a female in your previous life?" or "Are you a pussy?" in the middle of a conversation. There are high chances that the man being asked would get offended and would defend himself by all means that he was not a female in his previous life or he is not a pussy. I mean, how could one question his manhood. He is as masculine as others. He needs to defend his masculinity in society and currently to the one who doubtfully questioned him about it. He was a man in the previous life, in the current life, and in all the future lives. Get it?

Leaving the derogatory & obviously sexist tone to it for a while, I have always wondered - What is wrong with being a female? Haven't we always worshipped mythological goddesses in our 'proud' culture? Are you not insulting your mother and sister when you egotistically ask or taunt others by saying this? What actually differentiates a man from a woman or a woman from a man? What is the definition of being a man or being a woman? You see, I have so many questions unattainable and unanswered by the same majority I talked about earlier. They block me from everywhere when I take these questions to them. Poor me!😭 Therefore, I am burdened with all the questions above and the questions below, looking all over to find answers to:

1. Do they believe that a woman is weak or less intelligent than others?
2. Do they believe being a man is the best thing in this world?
3. Do they believe men are superior to everybody else?
4. Do they believe that just being born a man they have all the right to do whatever they feel like?
5. Do they believe that women can't make decisions or handle tough situations and only men are capable of doing that?

On the contrary, have you ever heard any woman taunting or asking another woman "Were you a male in your previous life?"? Have you? I guess never. (Wouldn't it be chest pumping to hear it, at first, for the male chauvinists, only later to realize that it was used in a derogatory way? Lol, a perfect tit for tat.) The reasons could be because women, I suppose, are not design-wired in that way, or to put it correctly, they are not evolved in that way, thanks to the generations of male dominance and female subservience. Maybe they have made ways to live in the patriarchal world or maybe they see everyone as human beings and not as of different sexes. But isn't it sad to be in a place where you are constantly being reminded of your lower position in society and made to feel weak than others, even if you definitely aren't?

However, even after several millennia of unequal status in society, denial of the recognition for their contribution, and derogation of their high intelligence, I am 88.69%* positive that they don't use the term 'man' in a derogatory way (although I don't know how and what women think about men). Instead, a few desire to be reborn as a man in this male-dominated society. Sad, isn't it? (Well, that's a topic for some other day.)

But times are changing rapidly and so does the women of our world. Little do these 'pea-sized brain' bigots know, living in their cocoon, that there are women more intelligent to them. A simple google search could educate them about the many women who could give a run to their intelligence, strength, and power, however making them believe & accept that reality is a hard part. I can't stress enough on the fact that I have known several women in my life who are way more smart, intelligent, and financially stable than several men I have met in my life and I am sure you would have met them too.

So, how would you react or respond to someone who asks you, "Were you a woman in your previous life?"? Let me leave you with this question to ponder upon.

"It is not a question of being a man or a woman as long as one is a good human being who respects everyone in one's life."

I deboarded the train at my destination, leaving the two young gentlemen still discussing their early retirement plans. Meanwhile, there was a sigh of relief on the face of that woman, who was earlier petrified by my 'harmless-cute' smile (😜), as soon as the train departed towards its next destination.

*a random percentage show-off to make this blog look intellectual and cool.

P.S: This is an opinionated blog that may offend many. So if you are the one getting offended, God bless you.

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Until the next time...

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