Manipulative isn't the half of it.
Women say things for effect.
So you could say, everything that women say, at its root, at its core, is about manipulation.

It is the reason feminists are "rape this" "rape that", everything is rape. "You have to believe the women."

It is because the word rape invokes a response.
When it is used up. When "wolf" has been cried to much, they will switch to something else.

Which is really bad for our language.
Because men want to be clear about what they are saying. And so want words' meaning to stay the same.
Women don't care, they will use whatever words get the emotional triggers.

So, that age old line, "Does this dress make me look fat?"
Actually means all of the following:

• Am i too fat for you?
• Are you a strong man who will call my bluff?
• Am i pretty? (must know on an accurate scale)
• Will you lie to me?
• if you fail to stand up to me, that means you will not stand up for me.
• How much manipulative power do i have over you?

So... mister, answer that question correctly, and if you hesitate, you have failed.