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Not to blow my own trumpet but I think of myself as quite witty and when someone is rude to me I normally have a comeback ready. However I have found myself in groups of men where one is clearly an overt misogynist and will be rude to me in front of the others, who then often stay quiet or stare awkwardly at the floor. Would you say it's a good idea to make fun of that man in the moment and try to lightly humiliate him? Or could it backfire on you?
(These are groups that you can benefit from career-wise, and would like to maintain social connection with.)
Not sure if this is good, but personally I play dumb fox. They crack a misogynistic joke I just play dumb. “I don’t get it? What's so funny? Can you explain the joke?” / “Why would you say something like that?" / "Hmm I don't know what that means but sounds silly and unprofessional." They're forced to explain themselves, realise they can't, then get embarrassed. Creates tension and awkwardness too which rids all the "fun" in sexist male banter.
Sometimes they’re just looking for a reaction, especially if they’re immature or even histrionic. Like they actually want you to insult them back.
Maybe this is ignorant or overly idealistic to say since I’ve only just started my career, but a job where I have to pander to misogyny and network with these sort of rude men is a job that’s not for me.
I'm southern, so a honey-toned 'bless your heart' is my usual response as I walk away.
I rarely waste my energy on clapping back to a man, only when they put me on the spot. I prefer to show them they're inferior by living my best, unbothered life and leaving them in the dust where they belong.
I’m all up for making fun of scrotes and “putting them in their place”, however, you have to be *really* careful and have a good feel about how they’re going to react. Usually, the misogynistic types can dish it, but can’t take it and get easily offended which they might then project and leash out onto you. Those types are best to be avoided/ignored. However, those who like to joke about themselves even, are pretty “safe” to joke back at and humiliate a little. Personally, I don’t like this kind of toxic masculinity environment and think it’s a job of the other men really to tell them off or remind them their jokes aren’t funny, but we all know most men are too afraid to do it.
Consider that you are in these groups for career purposes. Don't.take.the.bait
Do not make fun of them, silence them by putting them in place.
Here are a few examples.
Man-child : You are a loser.
Woman: I can't be any worse than you, at least I'm not on my mommies tit 24/7"
Man-child: Women peak in their 20's.
Woman : My aunt found love with a high value man in her 50's while you are still alone in your 1 bedroom apartment playing video games in your 30's.
Man-child : Women owe men everything.
Woman : The first human was a woman, the first human villages were only with women but you don't see me act like a child and expect eternal worship. Besides you are not one of these men who made everything I owe you nothing.
You rubbed a fact in their face and that's more effective than anything else.
Making fun of men shows you are triggered by their petty insults
I would look at the other men in the group like "can you believe this clown?"
Nothing annoys the misogynist more than seeing female attention go to another man.
I'm going to disagree with other commenters here, and put my vote in for "Make fun of scrotes with reckless abandon!"
If you have a spicy response spring-loaded it reeks of that idea living rent-free in your head. I find the best and most obliterating demeanor to face that kind of dialogue with is similar to what other's have said, like an eyebrow raise and a chuckle. Rising to it is what they want, a whole flavor of men's humor is "haha wOmeN MaD fUnNy hAHa!!1! 🤪"