Today, we would like to talk about the differences between men and women. You might say that you’ve known about these differences for your entire life, but it’s not that simple. We are sure that we’ll be able to highlight a few facts you’ve never heard of before. And in the bonus section, you’ll find out where the fashion for high heels came from.
The length of fingers
Let’s conduct a short experiment. Place your hand on a flat surface and compare the length of your index and ring fingers. In general, in women, the index finger is longer. In men, the ring finger is longer. How can this be explained?
According to scientists, the length of these fingers depends on the level of male and female hormones that affect the fetus in the womb. So, the reason why the ring finger is longer than the index finger in men is testosterone.
The skin on the heels
Scientists have found out that women’s skin is more hydrated in the décolleté area and on the hands. Only the skin on their heels is dryer than that of men. So, in equal conditions, men’s heels will be smoother.
Breast
You might think, “Why would a man need nipples?” It might sound strange but every person was initially female. When an embryo begins to develop in the womb, the male Y chromosome doesn’t immediately start working.
During the first 5-6 weeks, development occurs only under the influence of the X chromosome, so the nipples have enough time to form. If the embryo is male, the Y chromosome “turns on” after this period of time, and a boy is formed.
Men can even produce milk. Lactation is activated under special conditions, for example, it may appear during treatment with the hormone prolactin.
Vision
Women are better at seeing colors, but men are good at tracking fast-moving objects. This is probably linked to our hunter-gatherer past when men were hunters and women were gatherers.
For example, an orange may appear redder to a man than to a woman. The grass is almost always greener for women because green objects appear more yellow to men.
Gaining muscle mass
Many women have to go to the gym regularly to have a toned body, while a man can just lift a barbell a couple of times to get a 6 pack. So, what is the “ingredient” responsible for muscle development? If you guessed testosterone, you’re right.
In women, it is also produced, but in much smaller quantities. So, it is easier and faster for men to gain muscle mass.
Hair loss
Going bald after the age of 50 is typical for around half of men (and for a quarter of women too). The reason for this is a widespread hereditary disease, androgenetic alopecia, which is also called “male pattern baldness.” Due to this condition, hair follicles shrink, and hair becomes thinner and shorter, and eventually disappears.
Follicle shrinkage can be caused by sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone, a by-product of testosterone. This means that the more muscle-building hormone a man has, the more likely it is that he will become bald.
Adam’s apple
Both men and women have an Adam’s apple, but it’s more prominent in men. Why? The Adam’s apple is the cartilage that protects our vocal cords. It is formed during puberty. Since adult men have larger vocal cords, their Adam’s apple is also more prominent.
By the way, the larger the Adam’s apple, the deeper the voice. There is a theory that our ancestors needed a low voice in order to scare away predators.
Brain size
A man’s brain is larger than that of a woman, but this doesn’t mean that men are intellectually superior to women. Also, some parts of the brain in both sexes are different in size and work differently. For example, the hippocampus, which is involved in learning and creating memories, is larger in women. And the amygdala, which is associated with experiencing emotions and remembering them, is larger in men.
Scientists conducted an experiment: they showed the subjects a video so that they could recall some personal experiences. It turned out that in men, activity was observed only in the right amygdala, and in women, only in the left one.
Beard
At first glance, it might seem that a beard doesn’t provide any benefits. So, why does it grow? There is a theory that the jawline looks more massive thanks to a beard, so its wearer looks stronger and more masculine. Perhaps, our female ancestors tended to choose men with a thick beard as their partners because they thought they would produce healthy offspring with them.
Bonus: Heels
Nowadays, high heels are one of the symbols of femininity, aren’t they? However, in the 17th century, Persian riders used to wear one-inch heels. And since owning horses was a symbol of wealth, heeled shoes also came to signify money and power. The Persians then brought their fashion to Europe.
The French king Louis XIV became a big fan of heels. He even issued a decree according to which only nobles were allowed to wear heels. The higher and redder the heel was, the more powerful the wearer was.
The Sun King only allowed those who he favored the most to wear red heels. But since the 18th century, heels have become a purely feminine attribute, although this didn’t stop rock stars like David Bowie and The Beatles from wearing them.
Which facts mentioned in this article were new to you? Tell us in the comments below.
Preview photo credit 16704029 / Pixabay
Felt Like I Had No Choice: Woman Refuses to Switch Plane Seats
Airlines these days often push the boundaries, with no feasible option to drive across the ocean. Overbooked flights, extra charges for standard luggage, and unusual seating configurations are all part of the modern flying experience.
One woman recently turned to the internet for advice after declining a first-class seat upgrade she had earned on a flight she had long looked forward to. She had booked the flight early and accumulated enough travel points to secure the upgrade. However, shortly after takeoff, a flight attendant asked her to move to a lower-class seat.
Flying first class isn’t always stress-free.
The woman (23F) explained that she had spent a year meticulously planning her trip to San Francisco, booking her tickets well in advance.
A month or two before her flight, the airline contacted her with the news that she would be upgraded to first class, thanks to her travel points and membership status. This was her first time flying in first class, and she was thrilled.
Before the flight, she made sure to enjoy everything the lounge had to offer, preparing for the 13-hour journey. Once on board, she settled into the comfort of first class.
However, about an hour after takeoff, a flight attendant approached her with a request: would she switch seats with a 10-year-old boy in economy so he could sit with his parents, who were in first class?
The parents had received upgrades due to their membership status, but their son hadn’t been eligible. As a result, while they enjoyed first-class seats, their son was seated in economy.
The flight attendant presented options that made it seem like moving was the only choice. She mentioned that the woman could receive another complimentary upgrade on a future flight or a full refund for the current one if she agreed to switch. The woman asked if she could remain in her seat, feeling as though she was being pressured to give it up. The attendant explained that only the woman and the boy’s parents had received upgrades, and no other first-class seats were available. Therefore, the boy would have to take her seat if he was to join his parents.
The woman reflected that in a different situation—like if first class had been overbooked or if the parents had purchased their tickets—things might have been different. However, since she had earned the upgrade through her frequent flyer status, she felt it was fair to keep her seat. The flight attendant remained polite and understanding, accepting her decision without further pressure and assuring her the issue would be handled.
The woman never saw the parents, who were seated far from her, but she did face criticism from an elderly woman next to her. The woman scolded her for allowing a child to sit alone for 13 hours. While the thought of a child flying unaccompanied for such a long time was troubling, the woman noticed the boy regularly walking up and down the aisles to visit his parents, so he wasn’t truly alone.
Now, the woman asks: AITA for refusing to switch seats, or is this what people consider being an a-hole?
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