Gender Roles

1. Which aspect of gender roles are true everywhere?
Obviously, women are more likely to be "polite" to others, by saying "I am sorry", "Thank you" etc. However, it appears that men are less likely to admit their fault and behave non negotiably.


2. Which are specific to your country?
In my country, I found it very interesting that when I got lost, and asked someone else for directions. Men always answered with specific directions. For example, go north for about five minuets, when you see a traffic light, turn left. However, if it is a woman, she would choose buildings as references. "Go toward that building and then turn left". Although man and woman are answering the same thing, they are thinking in a different way. Gender roles may influence they way they think and give directions.


3. How does language reinforce or create or thwart those gender roles?
If a man says "I am sorry", language will make him seem to be weaker. However, in the second situation, when men and women both are asked for directions, men's language seems to be clearer, like there is a map in their brain.