What is feminmity?
In The Words of Verity George
Female - of the sex producing offspring (however women are no longer
determined by their biology). mechanical - having an opening into which a
projecting male component can be fitted.
Feminine - possessing qualities considered typical of or appropriate to a
woman. - of women femininity a noun.
Feminism doctrine or movement advocating equal rights for women
Femme fata1e - an alluring or seductive woman who leads men into dangerous
or difficult situations by her charm (See flirting)
Qualities typical of or appropriate to a woman (this approach can lead to
stereotyping and generalizations, but for the purpose of the exercise...)
ladylikeness i.e. soft voice, sitting with legs together, wiping comers of
mouth on serviette, not running or swearing, being gentle
fluid, catlike movement, walk
head cocked to one side when listening
caring-sensitivity to others
nurturing - perfect hostess who notices how people are
fashionable, appreciating clothes, accessories, beauty cosmetics, overall
look, i.e. colour Co-ordination of nail polish and lipstick, smooth hairless
skin, shaped eyebrows, wearing jewellery (especially dangley earrings)
clothes horse, comfortable in a variety of clothes, enjoys changing for the
occasion
large underwear selection, matching bras and undies
talkative, gossipy, bordering on bitchy
multitasking
changeable, moody, hormonal
emotional
receptive
seductive, sweet smelling, sexy, sensuous (frabics)
high pain threshold
weak and dizzy
demanding
afraid of mice
need help to change a tyre - because don't like getting dirty
woman's touch - making things pretty, nice, happy, colourful, i.e. flowers
in a vase
domestic goddess - housework, laundry, fresh linen, full tins, glassware
sparkling
hysteria
courageousness
family oriented, earth mother
loves to shop
eats chocolate
diamonds are a girls best friend
"Lots of influences detennine femininity, by far the greatest influence is
from the media; magazines, movies, TV. You don't have to look far for input
on the typical feminine qualities of being a woman.
Study role models. Watch old Marilyn movies. Observe body language,
yourself and others. How does Suzan Paul move? What about the women in
'Friends'? Kirstie Alley in 'Veronicas Closet', Helen Hunt in 'Mad about
you'? (Let's leave Allv McBeal out of this) Or the woman on the bus. in
your neighbourhood? Watch how each woman approaches things, notice how her
sightline facial- muscles, gestures, converstion, intonation. Go for the
detail, e.g. what is the quality of blowing a kiss like? How do women touch
themselves, feel about themselves? The object here is to act as a mirror
thereby becoming the action.
FLIRTING - A tool of the femme fatale. To pass the time, get what you want,
make mischief
Clues to flirting
· showing some flesh,dress sexy
· laugh a lot, have fun being you
· occasionally brush by the other; on arm or leg, either accidentally or
absent mindedly
· keep eye contact
· draw them in by whispering
· lick your lips, wink, be expressive
· be complimentary
It's a hard thing to fake the essence of femininity, the quality of
femaleness. So know yourself accept yourself and your confidence will grow.
To truly express your femininity you have to feel OK about it, about
yourself, about how you look in the mirror, about your clothes, about all
that it means to be a woman
Males may be physically stronger than females but women know deep down
inside that they are the stonger. This core is mother earth, gaia, goddess
power.
Femininity sounds prissy, sanitised, a tad frigid. Don't fall into the traps
that women have of feeling they have to be a certain way because that's what
the patriachal society dictates. Curves are feminine. Freedom., expression.
spontaneity and independence make a woman attractive. set her apart, make
her special.
In order to believably portray something which you aspire to, you need to be
relaxed. At home in yourself . Breathing is the base of relaxation.
Practice hip rotations. In my observations I have noticed that men are much
worse at cicular hip movements than women and the swaying of hips is a
particularly feminine move.
Pay paricular attention to how you hold things: women have smaller hands and
tend to be a bit more delicate than men.
Role reversals in the movies, some to watch are;
Some Uke It Hot - Tony Curtis, Jack Lemon
Tootsie - Dustin Hoffinan
· The World According To Garp
· Mrs Doubdire - Robin Williams
· Too Wong Fu - Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes