12 Questions Men Say They're "Too Afraid" To Ask Women IRL — Answered In Detail By Women On The Internet

"Do you actually like it when a man approaches you with the intention of asking you on a date?"

It's completely natural for people to be curious about the opposite sex. So when Reddit user u/Asking35 asked, "Men, what is something about women you are curious about but too afraid to ask?" — women were quick to answer questions about everything from relationships to sex to even home decor choices. Here's some of what they said:

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1. "Do you actually like it when a man approaches you with the intention of asking you on a date? I don't mean catcalling and that sort of weird shit, just being genuine and straightforward."

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—u/PastOrdinary

Answer #1: "Depends a little on the how. If it's someone I've already met a couple of times, like a colleague/fellow student or friend of a friend, I don't mind if he is forward and asks me out — that confidence is attractive, and something I'd envy in him, LOL.

"If it's someone I don't know or just met, I prefer if he gives me his contact information instead of asking for mine. I'll most likely say no if it is the latter.

"Something simple like, 'Hey, I really enjoyed talking to you and would like to go out sometime to get to know you better. Here's my number.' That puts me less on the spot, and if he's not my type, there won't be the awkwardness of immediate rejection. But that's just me."

—u/Mugwumpen

Answer #2: "Yes, but PLEASE be straightforward and say 'date.' I had a man ask for coffee, and I thought it meant as friends, since he was kind and seemed polite. I’m also autistic, so I don’t see social cues."

—u/katcomesback

Answer #3: "No. When someone approaches me, I instantly put my guard up. I’d rather get to know someone through work, mutual friends, hobbies, or other shared interactions where I’m in a relaxed environment and feel comfortable opening up to them about whatever common factor brought us together in the first place. 

"Having that icebreaker makes the situation a lot less awkward and doesn’t put me on the defensive the way cold approaches do. It allows me to talk to the guy and get a glimpse of his personality, which will make me way more receptive to being asked out, unlike when total strangers accost me on the street for date requests."

—u/peach_faced

2. "What’s with all the pillows?"

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—u/Canucker5000

Answer #1: They make this glorious nest so I can sleep on my side without my hips tightening overnight, support behind my back and shoulders, support against my boobs, good positioning for my arms and legs, etc.

"It's wonderfully comfy and cozy."

—u/ISwearIUsedToBeSmart

Answer #2: "My husband calls it a 'tuckings' — he props the pillows around my body VERY SPECIFICALLY. And when he's done, I say, 'Proper tuckings. Well done, Sparky.'"

—u/Yinzerxx

Answer #3: "Pillow nest. Pillows = sit propped up while shoving junk food in your face hole and watching Netflix/Hulu. Pure joy and comfort."

—u/warda8825

3. "Do y'all change pads when they're full, half, or even a tiny bit? That has to be uncomfortable, like wearing wet diapers."

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—u/mt0386

Answer #1: "Pads are designed to trap moisture away from the skin, so for the most part, they are pretty dry, and the labia can stay wet from blood passing. When pads are 'full' is when the wet diaper feeling starts happening, and it feels gross."

—u/alexxmurphy_

Answer #2: "I usually do when I pee because I’m a clean freak and have sensory issues. So usually every two hours, but the longest has been four. Even if I didn’t bleed, I change it due to sweat/body oils, anything — and baby wipes are a godsend for that time."

—u/katcomesback

Answer #3: "Depends on how heavy the flow is, but usually when it's a little more than half full. I try not to be wasteful, but I also have sensitive skin, so leaving the same one on for too long can cause irritation even if it's not full. Sometimes it'll get bunched up, which makes leaking more likely to happen, and I have to change it early. 

"It's sort of like wearing a diaper, but the volume of blood that comes out is actually a lot less than urine, so it doesn't get as heavy as a diaper would. But it is bulky and annoying. I wish I could wear tampons or cups, but I can't stand having anything inside me while I'm walking around."

—u/disapproving_vanilla

4. "Do y'all ever wear heels just to hear the clip-clopping of them on the pavement, as if you're the main character in a movie? Because that's what I'd do if I wore heels, and I want to know if there's a woman out there whose brain is on my wavelength or if this is just me."

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—u/VoidChickenFan

Answer #1: "Yup — but the feeling is stronger when I'm walking in a fancy building."

—u/RominaRaBer

Answer #2: "I choose my heels by a) how they look and b) how they sound. If they are quiet, I don’t usually get them."

—u/notgonnasext

Answer #3: "I hate heels, but I grudgingly bought a pair of sensible office heels when I got into this new job, and honestly, very few feelings come close to how I feel when I come walking in each morning, clip-clopping on my heels, with a nice pair of pants and a cup of coffee in hand. Boss-bitch energy supreme."

—u/nogutsnoglory17

5. "Why do you steal my food?"

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—u/SleepingAddict21

Answer #1: "You mean why am I eating our food?"

—u/roxysinsox

Answer #2: "If we steal your food, you know what we like and we show you that we trust and like you. We don't do that with people we don't like."

—u/hyperactive_child

Answer #3: "I don’t. I have MY food and you have YOUR food. I’m jealous about my food, and I respect that with others."

—u/babyzstrawberry

6. "Why can some women have vaginal orgasms and others can't?"

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—u/ThrowRA74100

Answer #1: "So the clitoris and the G-spot are actually just one organ! Which parts are larger, closer to the vaginal canal, and other aspects are different from woman to woman, though. These differences determine which women can experience vaginal orgasms."

—u/mouseshouses22

Answer #2: "I think it has a lot to do with positioning and sensitivity. I can 100% have a clitoral orgasm each time, either from oral or from him/me stimulating my clitoris while he’s stroking. This is guaranteed. I can also have a vaginal orgasm, but the strokes have to be harder, deeper, and faster sometimes in missionary, but definitely in doggy position. If it’s a particularly passionate session, I’m able to have both."

—u/Cakey-Baby

Answer #3: "I wish I knew. I (28, F) have never orgasmed in my life, and I can’t figure out how to change that."

—u/Choice_Bid_7941

7. "Asking as a guy from a country where men are given little to no education about women's health and vice versa: How can I help someone who's having a really bad time during their period?"

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—u/Weird-Thread

Answer #1: "Don't treat it as something disgusting. Keep a trash can in your bathroom. Keep Pamprin or Midol on hand."

—u/Apprehensive_Yard_14

Answer #2: "Advil/Tylenol helps a lot with cramps. I recommend starting to take it before the pain starts; it’s more effective that way.

"Heat pads, tea, and things to snack on, like chocolate or cookies.

"Have some tampons and pads available in your bathroom, along with a trash can with a lid."

—u/SlayerOfTheVampyre

Answer #3: "Ask what you can do for them. Different people have different needs and comforts. I like a heated blanket and a mug of tea, but some people prefer only cold drinks or don't need heat because their cramps aren't terrible. My wife usually offers to cook or gets takeout when I'm cramping because she knows I don't want to cook or deal with food."

—u/knittybitty123

8. "How much pleasure do you get from going down on a man?"

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—u/Karnezar

Answer #1: "It's going to vary from person to person. Frankly, I don't get any physical pleasure from it. The most I get from it is kind of like an ego boost. Like, yeah, I made him feel great. I guess that is a type of pleasure, though. But yeah, it's not physical, at least for me."

—u/shotathewitch

Answer #2: "Hearing him moan from what I’m doing to him turns me on and makes sex so much hotter. But that’s just me."

—u/Aggravating_Tea_4466

Answer #3: "I'm an ace who doesn't mind oral sex. It's nice to know that you're taking care of someone you're close to. It's a mental thing, I think."

—u/feverishdodo

9. "How can I present myself so that a woman would feel more comfortable approaching me? I don’t want to bother anyone by initiating a conversation, but I do want to seem approachable when I’m out doing things solo. I’ve been told I appear intimidating and aloof, but I’m super friendly if anyone talks to me."

Images by Tang Ming Tung / Getty Images

—u/theImplication69

Answer #1: "A touch of aloofness is fine and can actually be attractive. However, you must occasionally make eye contact, even if only for a second or two. Smile if you think I'm attractive, but don't force out a 'Fifth-Grade Picture Day' fake smile. That just makes you look like a barista at Starbucks trying to fake your way to a good tip. As for the intimidating aura, you need to drop your shoulders a bit and come across as more relaxed and cool (what 'cool' actually means, not what people think it does)."

—u/emmiblakk

Answer #2: "Eye contact and smiling, but when she doesn't want to, she will ignore you. If she likes what she sees, she will smile back and maybe even come over to talk to you."

—u/Emotional_Cake91

Answer #3: "Personally, I feel like if you smell good, it doesn’t matter how you look. Every single woman I know loves when a man smells good. I’d say a man smelling good is an automatic 7."

—u/reddiloxo

10. "Do you admire a guy after he chooses to be vulnerable and bare it all in front of you?"

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—u/awara_bakchod

Answer #1: "Yes. Personally, I have a hard time opening up and just talking about my feelings in general. Whenever my husband does, it makes me feel like I’m doing something right."

—u/asiazoldyck

Answer #2: "Depends. If it's someone I know who's genuinely opening up, yeah, I respect the bravery and trust. If it's someone I've just started talking to and/or they're opening up about some nice guy/incel shit, my respect for them goes way down."

—u/fangirl_otaku7

Answer #3: "Yes, it’s the ultimate sign of trust and it’s an incredible turn-on for me. Let me soothe you with my body."

—u/Cakey-Baby

11. "What do women check out on men?"

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—u/Gunnerjackel97

Answer #1: "This is another thing that varies from woman to woman. It’s the same things men look at: a handsome face, a body shape (varies), hair, and clothes. Personality and trustworthiness, too, though I took your question to mean physically."

—u/Maleficent_Tie4767

Answer #2: "That cake. 🍑"

—u/Chonky_monster

Answer #3: "'Check out' while just passing them? Typically their chest size, shoulders/back, and hair. Features like glasses also draw my eye.

"'Check out' as in getting to know? I look at their overall appearance to see if they care for themselves. I notice their voice and how they talk/text. I also gauge how they react when I speak. I have to know if they appear genuinely interested in who I am."

—u/EbonyUmbreon

12. "What's wrong?"

Vladimir Vladimirov / Getty Images

—u/DEFPOTEC8

"Nothing."

—u/AriaPikapo

"Are you sure?"

—u/DEFPOTEC8

"I said I'm fine!"

—u/AriaPikapo

"Alright!"

—u/DEFPOTEC8

[Pouts]

—u/AriaPikapo

Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Men, are there certain questions you want to ask women? If so, share them in the comments.