“There are many times when a woman will ask another girl friend how she likes her new hat. She will reply, ‘Fine,’ but slap her hand to her forehead the minute the girl leaves to yipe, ‘What a horror!'”
- June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962
- American
- Actress, Singer, Model, Pop Culture Icon
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Quote
“There are many times when a woman will ask another girl friend how she likes her new hat. She will reply, ‘Fine,’ but slap her hand to her forehead the minute the girl leaves to yipe, ‘What a horror!'”
Explanation
In this quote, Marilyn Monroe humorously exposes a common social hypocrisy, particularly in the realm of female friendship and etiquette. Her example highlights how people—especially women in certain social contexts—are often expected to be polite to the point of insincerity, offering compliments out of obligation while privately expressing a very different opinion. The exaggerated reaction of “What a horror!” adds a playful but biting touch to her observation.
Monroe’s remark isn’t meant to criticize women, but rather to draw attention to the pressures of social decorum, especially in a culture that often demands women be agreeable and non-confrontational. It also reflects a broader truth about human interaction: the tension between honesty and the desire not to hurt others’ feelings. In Monroe’s world of glamour and appearances, such dissonance between public approval and private judgment was likely even more pronounced.
Today, her insight remains relevant in both digital and real-life interactions, where social niceties can mask genuine opinions, especially in environments like social media. The quote prompts reflection on authenticity versus politeness, and how often we trade truth for comfort in everyday exchanges. Monroe’s humor gently nudges us to be more aware of when we’re being kind—and when we’re just being performative.
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