This is such a great point. When I started off if in life, in my early twenties, I talked to people with confidence and clarity. I soon found this pissed people off, and I was labeled as bossy, rude, and awful. People took joy in not helping me. So then I started acting less confident, and would calmly explain the problem I was in and how I needed help. Suddenly everyone had empathy and were willing to help me. I could only get people to collaborate with me when I acted needy and stupid. I've had many male friends act the way I did in my early twenties, and they told me it was just easy. But when I did it, I'm considered a bitch. I do beleive society conditions women to act needy and helpless. I've seen this not only from men, but from other women. It's a sort of unwritten rule. Women are supposed to be nice, and that includes not being direct.