We’ve never met, yet you approached me in public, unsolicited, and said: “Smile! You’re too lovely not to.”
I assume you believed this was a compliment. After all, you called me lovely. But when I recoiled instead of smiling, I’m sure it felt like a slap to you. The truth is, I was simply trying to navigate my day.
You know nothing about me. You’re unaware that addressing strangers makes me feel uneasy, stirring the anxiety that’s always lurking beneath the surface, ready to complicate life. And honestly, you have no right to know my inner struggles. We are just two people in the same store at the same time.
Women going about their day in public do not owe you any kind of performance or compliance to your expectations. That’s absurd. You wouldn’t approach another man and dictate how he should act; you’d let him be. But because I’m “too lovely” in your eyes, you felt it was your duty to intervene.
Unfortunately, you’re not the first man to instruct me to smile, and I doubt you’ll be the last. The audacity it takes to do so is both maddening and all too familiar.
Here’s something you may not realize about being a woman: it can feel like an open invitation for unsolicited comments, demands on our time, unwarranted attention, and sometimes even harassment. From persistent requests for my number after I’ve made it clear I’m not interested, to being labeled a “stuck-up” for simply declining your advances—this is the reality I face.
There’s another layer to this: it’s dangerous. The man who tells you to smile in the store could very well be the same man who puts you in a threatening situation outside. He might be the one who follows you home or reacts violently if you reject him. You can never be too sure, which is why I’ve learned to tread carefully, as it’s better to be cautious than regretful.
Every time I step out, I’m vigilant, constantly scanning my environment and the men around me. Are they too fixated? Have I seen any of them linger a bit too long? My mind is in overdrive, evaluating, strategizing, and preparing for the worst-case scenario. That’s simply part of the experience of being female.
Let me make something clear: my demeanor in public isn’t yours to dictate. I owe you nothing—not a smile, not a word. Take a moment to reflect on that. It’s crucial for you to understand that simply sharing space doesn’t grant you the authority to impose your will on my behavior. I might be grappling with personal issues or simply not in the mood to smile. It’s irrelevant. Focus on your own business and allow me the same courtesy.
If you’re interested in topics related to home insemination, you can check out this resource for valuable information, or consider visiting this page for more insights. For those seeking products, this site has an excellent selection of at-home insemination kits.
In summary, it’s time to recognize that unsolicited comments, especially those demanding a smile, are unwelcome. My presence in public spaces does not entitle anyone to dictate how I should behave.