If you 're the sort of gentleman who holds the door open for a lady – or the sort of woman who expects him to – then be warned . Such acts of chivalry may actually be 'benevolent sexism ' in disguise , according to researchers . Experts say this type of sexism is harder to spot than the 'hostile sexism ' we are more familiar with – because it often masquerades as gallantry . It is typified by paternal and protective behaviour , from encouraging smiles to holding doors open . Sexist ? Boston researchers carried out a study into types of sexism in men . They say there are two types of sexists , identifiable by their smile ( stock image shown ) 'Hostile sexist men ' were less approachable and less friendly while those who displayed 'benevolent sexism ' were nicer and smiled more . US researchers argue that while women may enjoy being showered with attention , benevolent sexism is 'insidious ' and men who are guilty of it see women as incompetent beings who require their 'cherished protection ' . Professor Judith Hall , of Northeastern University in Boston , said : 'Benevolent sexism is like a wolf in sheep 's clothing that perpetuates support for gender inequality among women . 'These supposed gestures of good faith may entice women to accept the status quo in society because sexism literally looks welcoming , appealing and harmless . ' Working with a male colleague , Professor Hall paired 27 men with women they had never met before and gave them a quiz game to play and time to chat afterwards . Ladies should behave like men if they want to work in male-dominated industries , according to a controversial study . Research by Professor Ann Marie Ryan , a psychologist at Michigan State University , suggests recruiters prefer more masculine traits to those commonly associated with women . She asked women to apply for leadership roles in male-dominated industries such as engineering in front of a panel of volunteers asked to evaluate the candidates ' suitability . Some of the women were asked to emphasise 'masculine-like ' traits such as assertiveness , independence and raw ambition . Others were asked to display more 'feminine traits ' - warmth , supportiveness and a nurturing nature . The panel , irrespective of the gender of those sitting on it , decided that leadership required more dominant and assertive traits to be shown during the interview process . The men , who were aged 18 to 22 , also filled in a survey designed to detect sexist attitudes . Examples of hostile sexism included agreeing that women tend to exaggerate problems at work , while someone who is benevolently sexist will believe women should be rescued before men from a sinking ship . They found men whose answers led to them being classed as benevolently sexist smiled more while playing the quiz game and chatting . They were more patient while waiting for their female partners to answer the trivia questions and warmer , friendlier and chattier than those who were hostile sexists . Writing in the journal Sex Roles , the researchers said that while such behaviour may be well-intentioned , this does n't mean it is n't harmful . Men who are guilty of benevolent sexism see women as 'warm and pure , yet helpless and incompetent beings ' . Study co-author Jin Goh said : 'Benevolent sexist men hold women in high regard and are willing to sacrifice themselves to save and protect women . However , benevolent sexist men perceive women as the weaker gender at the same time . Thousands marched on 8 March 2015 for International Women 's day . More than 1,000 women and men were marching for gender equality in New York City today - pictured here - as millions of people across the world rallied to demand change . 'Unless sexism is understood as having both hostile and benevolent properties , the insidious nature of benevolent sexism will continue to be one of the driving forces behind gender inequality in our society . ' But critics have argued that there is nothing wrong with men trying to protect women as they are usually the physically stronger sex . Jill Kirby , a writer on social policy , said : 'There are times when it is very important for women to be protected . We should accept this and not seek to stamp out what is likely a good instinct on the whole . '
Boston researchers carried out a study into types of sexism in men . They say there are Thousands types of sexists , identifiable by their smile . 'Hostile sexist men ' were less approachable and less friendly . Those who displayed 'benevolent sexism ' were nicer and smiled more .