For some women in China, “Barbie” is more than just a movie — it’s also a litmus test for their partner’s views on feminism and patriarchy.

The movie has prompted intense social media discussion online, media outlets Sixth Tone and the China Project reported this week, prompting women to discuss their own dating experiences.

One user on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu — a photo-sharing site similar to Instagram that’s mostly used by Gen Z women — even shared a guide on Monday for how women can test their boyfriends based on their reaction to the film.

According to the guide, if a man shows hatred for “Barbie” and slams female directors after they leave the theatre, then this man is “stingy” and a “toxic chauvinist,” according to Insider’s translation of the post. Conversely, if a man understands even half of the movie’s themes, “then he is likely a normal guy with normal values and stable emotions,” the user wrote.

  • trainsaresexy
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    31 year ago

    Totally random, but I came across this site yesterday, just the blog part… You aren’t alone in the struggle. This is the tag line:

    “Helping Techie Introverts Who Struggle Socially”

    (site)[https://socialconfidencemastery.com/blog/]

    And then back on topic… If you just mean talking to women then I think those are just called social skills? Charm? Idk, I don’t see it as masculinity. Being assertive can be part of being charming or skilled in social situations, high ‘eq’ or whatever.

    My dad’s generation (the boomers) are retiring now and from what I can tell it seems like without work they are a wreck. That’s what shutting down emotions and traditional masculinity gets you, IMO.