expectations

Anon

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There’s a kid I know who is often doing weird things. Sometimes, I mention them to my family. This kid is annoying and I really don’t like him very much, but he is funny. I only mention the things he does because they are funny, but my sister is convinced that I have a crush on him because of that. If I was mentioning a girl doing funny and weird things she would never think I had a thing for them. I hate this. Another thing that happens that is sort of like this is when two people of different genders have a close friendship, and everyone assumes that one or both of them has a crush on the other. People dont assume that with people of the same gender! I really hate this, and its harming me and my friend and a lot of other people. Please stop.

Anna

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When older relatives in my family feel the need to comment on the tightness of my clothing, or that they think I’ve put weight on, but not the same apparently to my male relatives.

Elle

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My boyfriend telling me that if he asked me to wear makeup, it would be because he is just expressing an opinion, not because he doesn’t like me without it, and I should do it because it makes him happy – and don’t I want to di things that make him happy? My boyfriend seeing nothing wrong with the above.

John

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When I quit my job and took a lower paid one that I enjoyed, I was given grief by several family members because, as a man, I’m supposed to provide for my family. At the time I did mention to my wife that she could look for a job and I could be the stay-at-home dad, but she rejected this idea for similar reasons. My wife never gets this sort of thing.