A couple of points: (1) Firstly as I’ve commented on a different thread about a similar topic that quoted this gemara as well I find it absolutely foolish that this gemara is thrown around and taken out of context. Look at my previous comments to see the pshat I quoted on this gemara that shows how un-sexist this gemara is. (2) Sam Klein, I hear you, but this isn’t completely accurate. For example in my relationship my wife is much more reluctant to spend money than I am. A similar situation is with my father. However, in order to move away from anecdotal evidence I suggest you look at Moneycrasher’s article about Men, women, and money. It will give you a whole new perspective about the gender spending gap you speak of. (i.e. women seem to be spending much more than men, but that is largely because often-time they buy all the household needs. in contrast, when comparing the spending habits and patterns of single men and women, men spent a lot more on household needs and almost all other categories). (3) GH, in regards to your point that women are bigger tippers it’s not so simple. There appears to be a slew of conflicting evidence based studies. For example “Fifty-nine percent of men say they leave a tip that exceeds 15 percent of the bill, versus just 47 percent of women.” Idon’t want to argue too much with you about this because I doubt either of us are experts on these matters (unless you’re a social scientist, in which case I would honestly love if you can please enlighten me and possibly explain the contradictions). (4) Additionally @GH. In regards to this that you say that “women are as likely to to contribute to household income as men so the sexist notion that men are more reluctant to part with money because they work so hard to earn it is a bubba meisa.” I think SK can retort that research studies still suggest that in the majority of marriages (63%) men are the main breadwinners. Therefore it can still suggest why it would be that men are stingier than women based on his presumption. (Please note that I already disagreed with him, I am simply explaining a logical flaw in your argument).
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