These women couldn’t care less about ‘acting like a lady’

Many women tend to face backlash for not conforming to societal standards on how to act like a lady. They are often told to cross their legs, dress appropriately, watch their language, etc.

There are, of course, women who don’t let these standards get in the way of them living their lives.

We spoke to women who don’t care what society has to say about acting like a lady – they behave the way they want to and what others have to say about it is irrelevant.

Cat Wilkerson, 25, UC Davis alumni

“I take jujitsu classes and I don’t think that’s considered very ladylike. I actually never thought of it as something to be ashamed of, however. The women in my family do kickboxing, cross fit, hockey, fencing, etc. Strong women have surrounded me in my life and I like it. So, I aspire to become a strong woman myself.”

Katherine Cotuc, 21, Central Connecticut State University

“The most unladylike thing I do in public is curse like a fucking sailor. I’m not ashamed about it because I should be able to say whatever I want. Of course, I am respectful around families and certain places, but other than that I feel like I can say whatever I want, whenever.”

Trystan Rodriguez, 20, University of Connecticut

“I’ve picked a wedgie many times in public or burped really loud when I’m eating around others. I tend to make a lot of silly faces at people, too. I’m not ashamed of it because that’s who I am and I’m not embarrassed to be myself. I think people will respect you and maybe even laugh when you do something that’s unexpected.”

Julia Lucero, 20, University of Bridgeport

“I tend to go out without a bra. Society thinks that a woman should have their breasts up high and their waist tied up. Do you see all the scandal that some men create when a woman is breast-feeding in public? Boobs are natural and come in all shapes and sizes but people don’t seem to understand that.

“I’ve learned not to be so ashamed of my body, especially now in these scorching summers. Wearing a thick bra and walking my dog or the mile to work is the absolute worst. I see men walking around shirtless and, seeing as it’s not yet legal here for women to go topless, I just go without a bra.”

Julie Pham, 20, University of Connecticut

“The thing is, I do everything that is considered not feminine. For example, I burp and pass gas in public, eat a crap ton of food, announce that I need to poop to my friends, talk about poop, not shower for two days and still go out in public. However, the thing is, I never saw it as ‘unlady-like.’

“To me, most of these things I listed are natural bodily functions. Other than that, I’m comfortable with myself to not feel ashamed for doing these things. I enjoy food and I find it unnecessary to not shower for a certain amount of days because I don’t feel dirty. I mostly think about what makes me happy because in the end, these decisions affect me and not everyone else.”

Kell Bliss, 34, Maine Maritime Academy alumni

“I talk loud when I get really excited. I also laugh really, really loud. I get stares when I do that, but I just ignore them. I’m not ashamed because there is nothing to be ashamed about. I’m not going to exist just to fit into someone’s preconceived notions of what it means to be female. I’m not going to apologize to a society that tries to force us into feeling guilty for breathing and taking up space. Really the only thing we should have to consider is if my actions hurt someone or are illegal. Everything else is, and should continue to be, subjective.”

Jennifer Zepeda, 19, University of Connecticut

“I speak loudly. However, I’m not talking about volume. I speak up for myself, even when I’m told to bite my tongue. I’m not ashamed of it because I don’t see any reason to be ashamed of it.

“Growing up, I was always that girl who sat on the sidelines and never spoke up. Why? It’s because I notice the backlash women face for speaking their mind.

“When a woman speaks her mind, she may be called names like ‘bossy,’ ‘bitch,’ and even ‘cunt.’ These insults where the things that scared me the most. I didn’t want to be picked on, but as I got older I started to realize how unhappy it made me. I was that girl who just took all the bullshit people threw at me and it made me miserable. So, instead, I choose to be loud. Now, I’m working everyday on telling people what’s on my mind, standing up for people who need it the most, and being an example for other women. I want to show them they shouldn’t be ashamed to be ‘loud.'”

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Women shouldn’t have to be ashamed for not acting like “ladies” in public. They also shouldn’t feel like less of a women for indulging in unladylike behavior and these women teach us just that. Women should all be comfortable with who they are and never feel bad or apologize for not acting the way society wants them to.