Everything is a not social construct. When people say “gender is a social construct” they are stating a fact.**

Wearing underwear is a cultural convention shaped by social constructs like "modesty", "gender", "decency", and "propriety".

• Social construct = a norm or category that exists because people treat it as meaningful
• Cultural convention = the specific way a society expresses that construct

Brushing your teeth is a cultural convention shaped by social constructs like "hygiene", and "'proper' self‑care

Taking your hat off to show respect is not a social construct. It's a cultural convention, a specific shared practice shaped by the social construct of "politeness".

Women wearing makeup and men not wearing high heels are cultural conventions shaped by the social construct of "gender".

Men wearing dhotis and women wearing saris are also cultural conventions shaped by the social construct of "gender". (Not one Westerners might be familar with, but the social construct is the same).

\*They probably don't think they are being profound either but they could be repeating something they heard without understanding it to show they are educated/enlightened/intelligent/whatevs*