The Passenger Seat

Why Some Women Perform for Male Attention


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Today I want to talk about something a lot of women experience but don’t always name — having a coworker crush, the unspoken tension, and how other people can sense it before anything is ever said out loud.

I had a quiet, complicated connection with a coworker. Nothing inappropriate, nothing obvious — just subtle energy, eye contact, teasing, and moments that made me feel seen. It was the kind of thing where if you know, you know. But once a third person entered the dynamic — another woman at work — the energy shifted.

Suddenly, there were little comments, competitiveness, and moments that felt like she was performing. Talking louder, inserting herself, correcting me, or subtly trying to look better in front of him. It made me question myself at first — like, am I imagining this? But over time it became clear: this wasn’t about me personally, it was about validation.

So that made me curious — why do some girls act extra in front of men they like? Why do they put other women down instead of just… being themselves?

I think it comes from insecurity, comparison, and the idea that attention is limited — like if one woman shines, another has to dim. Instead of seeing another woman as neutral or even supportive, she becomes competition. And in spaces like work, where everything is already unspoken, that tension shows up in passive ways.

What I learned is this: when someone tries to dim you in front of a man, it’s rarely because you’re lacking — it’s because you’re threatening without trying. And the real power move isn’t clapping back or performing harder — it’s staying grounded, calm, and unbothered.

This episode isn’t about drama. It’s about recognizing female dynamics, protecting your energy, and choosing not to play a role you were never cast in.

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