# a thing that only women can do. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 27, 2002, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thing-that-only-women-can-do/106007 "2002-04-27T20:43:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thing-that-only-women-can-do/106007/1 "2002-04-27T20:43:51Z")
Hanging out with my friends yesterday one of them mentioned a demonstration her professor had done about some thing that women can do but men cannot. She thought it involved leaning against a wall or lifting a chair. We never figured it out and I’m really curious. Does this sound familiar to anybody? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thing-that-only-women-can-do/106007/2 "2002-04-27T20:52:25Z")
I found this on another message board: > [@](#): > > Another neat trick (and that’s all it is) is to tell your friends that only women can lift a chair while bending over. You have to stand facing a wall and take three heel-to-toe steps back away from the wall, then place the chair in front of you, sideways (so the back is to your left or right). Idealy it should be a dining room or kitchen type chair. Nothing too heavy. Anyway, bend over and place your head against the wall at waist level. Now grab the chair by the back and seat and lift it. > > Now, challenge the strongest most macho man in the room to try it. 99.9% of men cannot do it. It has to do with physics, the center of gravity on a woman is higher than on a man, it’s usually impossible for a man to do it. There are however very RARE occasions. ---
**Author:** ![3waygeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/e95f7d/32.png) [@3waygeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3waygeek)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thing-that-only-women-can-do/106007/3 "2002-04-27T20:53:32Z")
It’s an old trick; women can do it because their center of gravity is lower (wide hips have their benefits). ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thing-that-only-women-can-do/106007/4 "2002-04-27T20:58:04Z")
There are only 4 absolute differences between men and women: Men impregnate. Women menstruate, gestate, and lactate. All other differences are of relative degree only. ---
**Author:** ![minlokwat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minlokwat/32/2844_2.png) [@minlokwat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minlokwat)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thing-that-only-women-can-do/106007/5 "2002-04-27T21:12:06Z")
With the bending-over-with-the-head-against-the-wall-trick… You have to pick up the chair AND then while still holding it up, stand up straight again; i.e. get your head off the wall. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thing-that-only-women-can-do/106007/6 "2002-04-27T22:08:51Z")
It was done on **All In The Family**. I snorted and guffawed watching **Archie** try and fail. So I tried it myself and failed too. I don’t remember if I was chagrined or just went “hmmmmm”. Quasi ---
**Author:** ![KinSaba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7bcc69/32.png) [@KinSaba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KinSaba)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thing-that-only-women-can-do/106007/7 "2002-04-27T22:17:35Z")
> [@](#): > > There are only 4 absolute differences between men and women: Ah, yes … but viva la difference!!! ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thing-that-only-women-can-do/106007/8 "2002-04-27T22:24:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by minlokwat \* > \*\*With the bending-over-with-the-head-against-the-wall-trick… > > You have to pick up the chair AND then while still holding it up, stand up straight again; i.e. get your head off the wall. \*\* I _just_ barely managed it but my daughter did it easily. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thing-that-only-women-can-do/106007/9 "2002-04-27T22:40:21Z")
The determing factor in the chair stunt isn’t body weight distribution or center of gravity or any crap like that; it’s simple foot size. I’ve tried placing a chair against the wall and standing immediately beside it. I can bend forward, put the top of my head against the wall, pick up the chair and stand up straight with ease. However, when I took three heel-toe steps with my size thirteens I noticed I was now standing much further from the wall (at least 13 or 14 inches) and it was now impossible to straighten up while holding the chair. The next time a man finds himself stymied by this, he should try standing the same distance from the wall as a woman, i.e. much closer. I doubt he’ll have any trouble lifting the chair. Alternatively, have a woman take _four_ heel-toe steps backward. She’ll notice that the stunt is now much more difficult, if not impossible. If anything, having a high center of gravity would be a liability, since straightening up would require more strength in the spine and ankles. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thing-that-only-women-can-do/106007/10 "2002-04-27T22:42:23Z")
Actually, I remember trying it and I’m a girl. No success, though. Of course, I’m a bit older now…a _woman_ you MIGHT say. I’ll give it a go, but between now and the time I come back, no snickering about Zoggie’s supposed gender, hmm? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thing-that-only-women-can-do/106007/11 "2002-04-27T22:43:12Z")
Whoops, got my center-of-gravity arguments reversed. Yes, having a higher center of gravity makes the stunt more difficult for men, but it’s minor compared to how far your feet are from the wall. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thing-that-only-women-can-do/106007/12 "2002-04-28T05:08:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Qadgop the Mercotan \* > \*\*There are only 4 absolute differences between men and women: > > Men impregnate. > Women menstruate, gestate, and lactate. > > All other differences are of relative degree only. \*\* Well, I dunno about the first one nowadays Qadgop. There ARE female IVF techies ya know…and they can ‘fertilize’ as well as the next bloke. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thing-that-only-women-can-do/106007/13 "2002-04-28T05:15:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Quasimodem \* > \*\*It was done on **All In The Family**. I snorted and guffawed watching **Archie** try and fail. So I tried it myself and failed too. I don’t remember if I was chagrined or just went “hmmmmm”. > > Quasi \*\* As I recall, Archie also worked in a nasty little anti-gay crack at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![JoltSucker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@JoltSucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoltSucker)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thing-that-only-women-can-do/106007/14 "2002-04-28T05:42:57Z")
To hijack this thread slightly, there’s another thing that only women can do: wrap their legs around each other. What I mean is that men can only cross their legs by putting one leg on top of the other at the ankle. Women can cross their legs much further up. Some can actually tuck the toes of one foot behind the calf of the other leg. Men can’t do that. First, their junk is in the way. Second, they don’t have a wide pelvis. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thing-that-only-women-can-do/106007/15 "2002-04-28T06:19:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JoltSucker \* > \*\*Men can’t do that. \*\* Obviously you haven’t met some of the men I do yoga with. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thing-that-only-women-can-do/106007/16 "2002-04-28T06:27:16Z")
I don’t get what you’re talking about, **JoltSucker**. I can tuck my foot around that way without any trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thing-that-only-women-can-do/106007/17 "2002-04-28T06:30:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JoltSucker \* > \*\*To hijack this thread slightly, there’s another thing that only women can do: wrap their legs around each other. > > What I mean is that men can only cross their legs by putting one leg on top of the other at the ankle. Women can cross their legs much further up. Some can actually tuck the toes of one foot behind the calf of the other leg. > > Men can’t do that. First, their junk is in the way. Second, they don’t have a wide pelvis. \*\* Pfft. I can do that. I’m not especially flexible either. The toes of my left foot are tucked next to my right instep, all the way around my right calf. I’m definitely not a woman either: I couldn’t pick up that damn chair. My junk, FTR, is riding safely above my thighs. Although, it required an adjustment to prevent a potential squashing incident. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Lord\_Ssarl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a88e57/32.png) [@Ice\_Lord\_Ssarl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Lord_Ssarl)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thing-that-only-women-can-do/106007/18 "2002-04-28T07:02:30Z")
* * * Originally posted by JoltSucker To hijack this thread slightly, there’s another thing that only women can do: wrap their legs around each other. What I mean is that men can only cross their legs by putting one leg on top of the other at the ankle. Women can cross their legs much further up. Some can actually tuck the toes of one foot behind the calf of the other leg. ## Men can’t do that. First, their junk is in the way. Second, they don’t have a wide pelvis. I’m a teenage guy who has always been able to do that. ---
**Author:** ![friggae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/45deac/32.png) [@friggae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friggae)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thing-that-only-women-can-do/106007/19 "2002-04-28T20:20:11Z")
Another one of these I remember from physics class is to kneel down with both knees on the floor and clasp your hands behind your back. Place something to the effect of a deck of cards or a pack of cigarettes upright about two feet from your knees. Try to lean forward and knock over the object with just your nose. Guys - try not to break your nose in the process! ---
**Author:** ![JoltSucker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@JoltSucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoltSucker)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2002, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thing-that-only-women-can-do/106007/20 "2002-04-30T18:16:35Z")
I guess it’s because my junk is so damned BIG!