Boris Johnson just delivered a masterclass in mansplaining
- Posted by
- Susan Devaney
- Published
Why every woman can relate to the way he speaks to his very important female colleague.
Any woman, any place, has been on the receiving end of mansplaining. We’ve all been there as we stand, looking off into the distance, as a man s-l-o-w-l-y explains something we already know more about.
In fact, it’s become so commonplace we’ve had to help men out when it comes to identifying it.
Enter: the mansplaining chart that belongs in every office.
Created by Kim Goodwin, a researcher, the chart colourfully details (in a flow format) for any man to identify when he’s mansplaining a woman in the workplace.
Why? Well, because, quite frankly, it’s hilarious. Men can figure out if they have unwittingly become a mansplainer by answering questions such as, ‘Did she ask you to explain it?’ and ‘Did you ask if she needed it explained?’
If yes, then they’re golden, if not, though, then they will receive the following answer: JUST STOP TALKING NOW.
Spare a wee thought then for Boris Johnson, who clearly hasn’t been fortunate enough to own a mansplaining chart – or indeed know what mansplaining is or how to identify it – as this short clip (below) only confirms.
In the video – which is part of an ongoing series for the BBC Two documentary Inside the Foreign Office – Johnson can be seen speaking to Caroline Wilson, Europe director at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about a speech he is due to make in Paris.
At one point, Johnson attempts to speak French and makes the absurd recommendation that he should, instead, recite his speech entirely in that language. Wilson, who is a qualified lawyer, fluent French speaker and an experienced diplomat calmly listens to him rambling on like he knows better.
Quite frankly, this woman deserves a medal for simply maintaining her composure.
Check it out below:
Shared online by Hannah Jane Parkinson, the clip has obviously gained more than a few reactions – with some people (us included) thinking it was originally a sketch by comedian Jennifer Saunders.
Images: Getty