When we talk about a man being "coquettish" in this context, it isn't about traditional vanity. Instead, it’s about a specific type of confidence known in Chinese social media circles as (撒娇) or (娇夫). It refers to a man who: Embraces Playfulness:
: It describes a man who adopts the persona of a mature woman (a "Jiejie") in social interactions. Bing Gan Jiejie - A man with a coquettish tempe...
Drawing on Judith Butler's concept of gender as a stylized repetition of acts, the coquettish man reveals the fabricated nature of masculinity. His fluttering eyelashes, coy smiles, and affected vulnerability are no less performative than the "tough guy" pose—they merely cite a different script. However, because he does so without transitioning to femininity (he remains recognizably male), he creates a of gender norms, which Butler identifies as a site of potential resistance. When we talk about a man being "coquettish"