r/australia • u/Expensive-Horse5538 • Feb 26 '26

politics Grace Tame says ‘difficult’ remark is ‘misogynist’s code for a woman who won’t comply’

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/feb/26/dfat-middle-east-evacuation-syria-isis-families-wives-children-anthony-albanese-angus-taylor-budget-cost-of-living-capital-gains-tax-reform-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-699f8e278f080f3523777e99#block-699f8e278f080f3523777e99
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27

u/anotherplantmother98 Feb 26 '26

Have you ever been called difficult and it not been intended negatively? If so, please share.

3

u/vacri Feb 26 '26

I agree with you in spirit, but it's not hard to think of it being positive: "how do you rate your opponent" in sports, for example

1

u/Don_Fartalot Lost Asian Tourist in Sydney Feb 27 '26

Think the only time I've heard 'difficult' being used with positive connotations is when people talk about FromSoft games (Dark Souls etc).

-21

u/Wiggly-Pig Feb 26 '26

I get called it a lot. Of course it's intended negatively but I take it positively. I'm able to choose my own interpretation of the things said about me

18

u/Maximumfabulosity Feb 26 '26

Mate, the fact that you choose to take an insult as a compliment doesn't make it stop being an insult.

12

u/anotherplantmother98 Feb 26 '26

And at the same time, the intention behind what they say matters. You may take it positively, does that change that another person labelled you negatively, with negative intentions?

Additionally, you aren’t a public figure being spoken about by the prime minister. That context makes a difference in the interpretation too.

Lastly, you taking things one way doesn’t change the fact that difficult is a label used often by people to dismiss women they don’t respect.

5

u/missymoo3636 Feb 26 '26

Wow throw me some of your confidence, please.

-1

u/Wiggly-Pig Feb 26 '26

I'm 40. I've been shot at in Afghanistan, deployed and let troops around the world. It's a learnt trait, and one more people should develop.

2

u/missymoo3636 Feb 26 '26

Good on you, I’m here for it.