Posted on 01/18/2026 4:08:15 AM PST by where's_the_Outrage?
A TikTok video recently caused a stir on social media. Posted by user @filimonovadrian, it presents a surprising social experiment that questions our perception of others. The premise is simple: to observe whether a small change can cause a noticeable difference in the attitudes of passersby (especially men).
In this experiment, a young woman is filmed with a hidden camera while walking with cardboard boxes. She deliberately drops them to simulate a situation where she might need help. The video is in two parts:
In the first part, the woman is wearing jogging pants, a simple and comfortable outfit often considered "casual" or "unprepared" according to certain social norms. The images show that, in this version, male passersby ignore her much more often; no one seems to notice that she needs assistance.
In the second part, the same woman is dressed in a short skirt. Same situation, same gestures: this time, the men's reaction changes radically, many stop to help her spontaneously.
The contrast is striking and immediate: this simple change of clothing seems enough to influence the attention and attitude of the men around her. This highlights that many men intervene based on their own perceptions: when she's wearing jogging pants, few help her, whereas when she wears a dress or skirt, short......
Reactions are multiplying under the video. Some people express dismay: "It seems like clothing matters," "It's sad to see that appearance counts so much," while others recall the fundamental principles of solidarity and kindness: "Regardless of appearance, helping someone in need should be automatic."
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
The author showed 5 different drops in the sweat suit and lots of men around. Only 2 drops showm in miniskirt.
Manipulated data.
I would be interested in seeing this done with a woman in a more modest but distinctly feminine dress.
Men respond to sexuality but I think they respond more these days to femininity.
Correct. I think I’d have helped either, honestly, but I do appreciate and feel generally more comfortable with people who appear to care about their appearance when out in public. I try to a degree to do so myself, though do on occasion find myself in the grocery store still in my gym clothing on the way home. I feel self-conscious doing it. And then I look around and see pretty much everyone under fifty or so is essentially, or literally, wearing pajamas...
I always make eye contact and thank the man holding the door.
Feminist’s and Karen’s have cowed decent males.
Back in the day, a lady would drop a handkerchief when an eligible male approached. An opportunity to meet and possibly exchange numbers.
Seems odd to juggle three large boxes to get someone’s attention....
So why is the man in the pic topless but the women is not, discrimination!
True, but if she handled two large jugs, that would get my attention.
MSN is still sad about human nature.
Fifty years of “ I don’t need the door held for me.” feminism brought us to this place.
“Maybe the older guys have seen it all before & are just not as affected by a womans appearance. But...even older guys should be willing to help(especially) a lady who appears to be needing help. From an older guy.”
I’m an older guy. Happily married.
I would be very helpful and attentive if I knew the lady in question. But a stranger? There’s a lot of potential downside to helping a modern woman and very little upside. I guess it would depend on if I felt lucky that day.
Women respond in like manner to men who dress up.
So--you prefer women who overdress?
Stainless steel. Aluminum would rub off on their hands.
I usually tell those kinds that it’s not about them.
They don’t usually get it.
Some smart FReeper years ago said that he told those harpies that he didnt hold the door because she was a woman, he held it because he was a gentleman.
I always smile and thank anyone that holds the door for me.
A great many men are pigs.
True.
I love to see men stand up for women when they enter a room, come near a table, etc. And remove their hats. Men wearing hats indoors still rots my socks.
A woman in a short skirt is less able to struggle with anything without looking a little foolish. Frankly I’d feel sorry for her. If under dressed woman have to do anything more than just walk they’ve got a problem. I have more than once jumped to assist formally dressed women in some situations.
How many women walking past stopped to help her?
Were they more likely to help the ‘plain’ woman because she’s not feminine competition than the ‘hot’ woman who would get all the attention if they were to become friends?
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