Ever feel like the guys of UMass could use a few lessons from their more empowered, cultured female counterparts?
Well, safe to say that the men of UMass feel the exact same way about us. They’ve got a few bones to pick, starting with—Well, I’ll just hand things over to them…
1. “I get that the weather’s been warming up, but yesterday it was about twenty-eight degrees in the morning and I saw [like] five girls walking around in shorts and flip flops. [I just…] Aren’t you cold? I love you, women of UMass, but we live in f***ing New England. You’re not cold… really?”
Welp, he really called us out on it. To be honest, I’ve definitely wondered the same thing, but then again I’m a bit of a baby when it comes to this whole thirty-five degree spring thing New England’s got going on. On the outside I’m all:
But really it’s more:
Alright Collegiettes, deep breath. One down.
2. “My only issue with the lovely women of UMass, and humanity too, is a habit of walking slowly shoulder to shoulder on the sidewalk.”
As a native New Yorker, gotta say ladies, I definitely have to agree. Maybe we could try to keep it moving a little more on the campus sidewalks, or if not, slide out of the way of our fellow Collegiettes trying to get to class. Seems simple enough, but we do tend to get carried away rolling up around campus with our clique.
Our guy consultant did add, however: “Otherwise, doing great.” Bonus. Always good to hear.
3. “I don’t really mind girls wearing shorts when it’s a little colder. Do you, ladies. [But] what I genuinely don’t understand is when girls show up looking weather-confused. They’ve got a winter hat on, shorts, and Uggs. [Like], what?”
Unfortunately, this one I’m somewhat guilty of myself. The other day when it hit 70, I was rockin’ my wool hat and boots, but in my defense, it was a pretty bad hair day. You know how it is, ladies: we do what we gotta do. We may look weather-confused, but we still lookin’ fly.
4. Okay. Prepare to fall in love.
“The thing I don’t get about UMass Collegiettes, really young women in general, isn’t really an annoyance [kind of thing], but it does bother me. What I truly don’t understand is why girls all don’t seem to see their own beauty. [I mean], I do get it, because of all the s*** that’s pushed on them, everything they see in the media, and hear from jerkoff guys who need a size zero with Double D’s and a Kim Kardashian situation going on. But I guess what I’m saying is, I don’t really see how despite all that, they’re not able to see their own uniqueness, and how smart and fun and great they are [you know]? I’m seriously not saying this to be ‘that guy’; you don’t even have to use my name. I just think we should be telling you all more how f***ing great you are. I think maybe then you’ll start believing it.”
Well, I don’t know about you, but my faith is restored in the male species. Maybe we can keep in mind a few of their suggestions: maybe make sure we’re not in the way when we’re rolling past Bartlett with our friends, maybe stop worrying about a bad hair day and try and actually dress for the weather… But above all, let’s remember who we are and what our value is as women, as Collegiettes, and as bright, capable, and beautiful individuals with something to say. If we bear that in mind, I think we’re golden, ladies. #ThatSelfConfidenceDoe
A big thank you to all four quoted participants, as well as all of the other interviewees whose thoughts and opinions contributed to the writing of this article.