How to Combat Party Mansplainers

You must become a manfrainer

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Irritating conversations can strike at any time, but during the holidays, they’re as reliable as trans fats and airport gridlock. After all, the season often involves spending time with people you wouldn’t otherwise, trying to maintain a facade of cheeriness through the mandatory fun of a holiday party or family gathering. And with that much small talk, you’re inevitably going to end up talking about your job with people who have no idea what you do, and yet somehow believe they could do it better.

I am referring, of course, to mansplainers. They might act like experts in every topic on earth, but really, their most salient skillset is somehow goading you into debating your own worth when all you wanted was another glass of nog.

I’m a millennial woman who teaches at an Ivy League university about the U.S. presidency, women and politics, and political communication. And I have met countless men who, upon learning this information, helpfully explain to me why every state has two senators, why the electoral college is arcane, or that the runner-up in presidential elections used to become the vice president.

Now, there are many strategies for combating holiday mansplainers, but my preferred method is what I call manfraining: refraining from participating in a negative…