This refers to the daily behaviours and gestures of male chauvinism that we encounter on a day-to-day basis. They may seem harmless, but they demonstrate gender inequality and strengthen it. Manspreading and mansplaining are two clear examples of micro-male-chauvinism.
As the term has become popular, many people—especially women—have been able to identify and name daily situations where they encounter inequality. In addition, these situations have often been normalized by society.
Micro-male-chauvinism makes up the foundation of the patriarchal system and of gender inequality. Although they often go unnoticed, these small gestures sustain the system that disregards the feminine, and then translates to the most serious forms of gender-based violence.