[HIGGINS]
What in all of heaven could've prompted her to go
After such a triumph as the ball?
What could've depressed her?
What could've possessed her?
I cannot understand the wretch at all

Women are irrational, that's all there is to that
Their heads are full of cotton, hay, and rags
They're nothing but exasperating, irritating, vacillating
Calculating, agitating, maddening and infuriating hags

(Spoken)
Pickering, why can't a woman be more like a man?

[PICKERING, spoken]
I beg your pardon?

[HIGGINS, spoken]
Yes
Why can't a woman be more like a man?

(Sung)
Men are so honest, so thoroughly square
Eternally noble, historically fair
Who, when you win, will always give your back a pat
Why can't a woman be like that?
Why does everyone do what the others do?
Can't a woman learn to use her head?
Why do they do everything their mothers do?
Why don't they grow up, well, like their father instead?
Why can't a woman take after a man?
Men are so pleasant, so easy to please
Whenever you are with them, you're always at ease
Would you be slighted if I didn't speak for hours?
[PICKERING, spoken]
Of course not!

[HIGGINS]
Would you be livid if I had a drink or two?

[PICKERING, spoken]
Nonsense

[HIGGINS]
Would you be wounded if I never sent you flowers?

[PICKERING, spoken]
Never

[HIGGINS]
Well, why can't a woman be like you?

One man in a million may shout a bit
Now and then there's one with slight defects
One, perhaps, whose truthfulness you doubt a bit, but
By and large we are a marvelous sex
Why can't a woman take after like a man?
'Cause men are so friendly, good-natured and kind
A better companion you never will find
If I were hours late for dinner, would you bellow?
[PICKERING, spoken]
Of course not

[HIGGINS]
If I forgot your silly birthday, would you fuss?

[PICKERING, spoken]
Nonsense

[HIGGINS]
Would you complain if I took out another fellow?

[PICKERING, spoken]
Never

[HIGGINS, spoken]
Well, why can't a woman be like us?

Mrs. Pearce, you're a woman
Why can't a woman be more like a man?

(Sung)
Men are so decent, such regular chaps
Ready to help you through any mishaps
Ready to buck you up whenever you are glum
Why can't a woman be a chum?
Why is thinking something women never do?
And why is logic never even tried?
Straightening up their hair is all they ever do
Why don't they straighten up the mess that's inside?

Why can't a woman behave like a man?
If I was a woman who'd been to a ball
Been hailed as a princess by one, by all
Would I start weeping like a bathtub overflowing?
Or carry on as if my home were in a tree?
Would I run off and never tell me where I'm going?
Why can't a woman be like me?