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What does "feminine" mean to you ( exterior and interior)?
  • trueblue
    I'm always interested in people's opinions and hope you are all willing to share-you too Teddy . I realize that it is a pretty personal subject as well as being cultural but I was just wondering (if this topic has already been posted,never mind)
  • taiwanesegurltaiwanesegurl
    Oh this is a great question.  What does feminine mean to me. Hmmm..
    I guess from my mom, I've learned that being a lady means having good manners, being polite and well spoken, as well as being charming and witty.  It means not burping or farting in public, but I really can't help burping.  It means being well read, having interest in various things including art, dance, music, politics, science, and whatever else the world offers.
    It means being well groomed (so weird saying that), having good posture, and being able to flirt subtly with everyone around. 
    Overall.. being classy = being feminine.
    There's this model/host/actor in Taiwan named Lin Zhi Ling, and I view her as being feminine.  She's beautiful and smart, and quite humble too.  She's the spokesperson for China Airlines, and will be in the new big budget movie about the 3 kingdoms. 
    The most important part is having good manners and being polite.  This one lady at my work is extremely nice, but the way she barks at people, yell at everyone, and hovers over people, not very classy.  She's well dressed and all, but not feminine because of the way she speaks and acts. 
  • PurpleRulesPurpleRules
    In the strictly physical sense, feminine implies small and delicate, whether it be a person or an object. In a more general sense, it implies good manners and a graciousness but not necessarily passiveness. It sounds like my mother and Tai's shared many values because my mother also thought it was very important to be a "proper lady." Apparently, some things transcend culture.
  • trueblue
    okay, thank you Taiwanesegurl and PurpleRules, for your comments.
    I've always been interested by this subject. I hope I'm not going to be offensive to anyone but for me, one thing litle thing :feminine means a quiet voice, not passive,can be assertive and firm when need be.Or at least, a gentle tone. I understand that in today's world,it's difficult to be respected but I am always pointing out to my daughter, she can wear any dress but if she's using a brash tone,the effect is ruined.
    Taking care of oneself,yes.
     
    PurpleRules, not to be contrary, i have met a few  women who are very feminine, yet are not small or delicate but I realize you meant that as a general impression.
  • taiwanesegurltaiwanesegurl
    ^YES!!!  NO BRASH TONES!!  That lady at my office.. omigod... her tone is insufferable.
    It drives me nuts when people (men and women) speak in loud brash tones.  My grandma hates it too, but unfortunately her hearing is going, so she speaks really loudly now just so she can hear herself.
  • lelalelalelalela
    My mother tried to teach me to be softspoken, polite and kind too, but some of us just aren't. Although I certainly look feminine, I am very loud brash and outspoken. Can't help it, but I would rather be myself and be happy then be considered traditionally feminine.
  • JamiSingsJamiSings
    Basically any woman who isn't me, but also doesn't curse like a sailor, knows how to put on makeup and style her hair, and dresses well.
    An - Audrey Hepburn attitude with a Marilyn Monroe body and Ginger Roger's grace. That's feminine to me.
  • bebelyn86bebelyn86

    To be “Feminine” to me means embracing that inner energy to dominate an opponent by having them think that you have been dominated by them...the method of doing this can be with your body, mind, beauty and/or allure. 

  • rozy
    To me, I identify as androgynous more in a spiritual sense though I would love to look gender neutral in body that is pretty difficult. I like girly things like Hello Kitty and makeup and you would have no trouble telling that I am a girl. I am okay with looking girlish but I think feminine is a subjective and culturally constructed concept and it also changes. I think being feminine is being aware and respectful of your womanly body and health. Hey JamiSings don't put yourself down you look lovely from your pic plus you add really intelligent comments.
    To add to what I think feminine means I also think a lot of it is marketed and branded to us but it can be much more personal if we allow it to be. In a patriarchal culture it is tied to submissiveness.

  • MadeiraDMadeiraD
    Dolled up, girly, into traditionally feminine things (E.G. Dolls, clothes, makeup) flamboyant, adorned.  I personally am very aggressively feminine.  I wear buckets of makeup, sky high heels, big hair and the whole nine yards, my beau is a similarly flamboyant and effete (though tough, he's a pretty good martial artist) goth boy.  I always joke that I'm too femme to like butches, because we don't have enough in common to form a working relationship.
  • rozy
    Feminity
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