Do women bully?

This week’s column is on a subject I’m almost scared to wade into, but I have to ...

Have you seen the meme on social media that says something along the lines of “Call me crazy, but I like to see other people succeed and do well.”

In theory, that’s a wonderful thought. I feel confident when I say I feel like this most of the time. 

But my rose-coloured world was tarnished the other day when I heard two other women, whom I don’t know, tearing apart their colleague. I

t was vicious and hard to listen to.

Is woman bullying a thing?

I mean, in all fairness, I don’t know the rest of the story behind what they were saying. But it didn’t make what they were saying any less mean. And I honestly don’t hear men being like this toward each other.

Face it. We’re not all going to get along, and that’s OK. Personality differences mean some of us will clash.

On one hand, I can relate to that feeling of envy. You know the scenario. There’s always one woman who on the surface, just seems to kick butt on life:  

• Honour roll kids
• adoring spouse
• best job ever
• a drool-worthy wardrobe,
• annual tropical trips and so on.

It’s easy — even natural, to be jealous of someone like her — whether she’s your co-worker, neighbour, old friend or occasional acquaintance.

I totally get the need to vent to a friend about it – especially when we struggle. We all have those days when we just want it to be as easy for us as it seems to be for “her.” 

But the line gets crossed when we try to damage the other woman’s reputation with nasty gossip or worse. It’s like flexing our mean, bitchy muscle has become the “in” thing to do.

In an attempt to become assertive or feel better about ourselves, we’re actually being mean — to another woman.

A woman who has feelings, and bad skin/hair days. A person who will feel these words and actions deep in her gut. A person who, like you, is just trying to figure it out and make the best of it.

And here’s a thought: our kids are sponges and soak up everything they observe from us – including these attitudes.

I say we call a truce, ladies. We owe it to ourselves to live the feel-good memes we see and share.

For the record, I moved to a different table further away from the two women who were talking. I wish I had said something to them, but was too scared to.

What we put out is what we get back, maybe we should try putting out more love, acceptance, patience and grace. 

What’s the worst that could happen?

Thanks for reading.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.