This essay called "What I've Learned From Men" by Barbara Ehrenreich highlights the differences of men and woman and the on-going power struggles of the battle of the sexes. Ehrenreich states that if woman must learn one thing from men it should be how to be tough, aggressive, and assertive. Woman are "too ladylike." This is only because woman are born to be the nicer and more sincere of the two sexes. However, that doesn't mean they should act that way. Ehrenreich explains how she disapproves of this stereo-typing; she says every woman should have a right to act like a man. Through this essay Ehrenreich explains how woman can act more like a "tough man" by: smiling less, keeping the conversation simple, admitting anger/frustration, and by owning up to all the hard work, intelligence, and anything else that leads to success.
smiling - woman use a "small act of deference" to show their niceness. Ehrenreich tells woman to save the smiles for when they really feel like sharing them. She says, "there's no reason for anyone to go around grinning when she's not being paid for it."
conversation - study shows woman take responsibility for keeping the conversation going. They seem to ask more questions pertaining to feelings or ask any questions just to fill the awkward silence. If men can get by with just saying "Hmm," and other one word responses woman can too. Ehrenreich states, "Every now and then, we [woman] deserve to get more out of a conversation than we put into it."
anger/frustration - there is a general rule that women get irritated, while men get mad. Instead of trying to act ladylike by holding in the anger and putting on a front, woman should just come out and say when they're are pissed off.
own up to your abilities - woman tend to become shy when offered a compliment. There is no reason they should feel embarrassed when they are praised. Men aren't - they will proudly boast or brag about an accomplishment. To be tough means acknowledging success, not hiding it.