The girls laugh along good-naturedly because what else can they do, but it leaves the viewer with an uncomfortable feeling. We are being encouraged to laugh at these women, some of whom may not have had the same educational privileges that we have had, and almost forgive them their foolishness because of their femininity. McGuinness rarely does the same to the men. He might mock them for their clothes, or bizarre hobbies, but it’s not usually an attack on their intelligence or lack thereof.