Picture this: I’m standing in line for my morning coffee, mentally juggling the to-do list that seems to grow by the minute. Probably looking a bit serious—hey, I need that caffeine boost! Then, out of nowhere, I hear a voice say, “Smile! It’s a beautiful day!”
I turn to see a guy grinning like he’s just shared a life-changing secret. Newsflash: it’s not charming. Instead, it sends shivers down my spine, like a legion of tiny critters marching under my skin.
Let’s be clear—I’m a friendly person. I can chat with just about anyone, anywhere. I grew up with the never-ending mantra of “just be polite.” You know the drill: sit nicely, nod even when you disagree, and for heaven’s sake, always smile. The world expects us to be soft and cheerful, right? So, what do I do? I smile. Not because I want to, but to make the awkward moment vanish as quickly as possible.
To all the men who feel entitled to tell women to smile: we often just grin to make you leave us alone. It’s like a polite shield against unwanted attention. It’s a soft kind of catcalling—subtle yet demanding, as if you’re asking us to give you something we never signed up to share.
Recently, I listened to a podcast featuring Eleanor Gordon-Smith, an Australian journalist who confronted catcallers. Shockingly, some men thought their crude comments were flattering. Spoiler alert: they’re not! A quick survey of women revealed that 67% feared that catcalling could escalate, 85% felt angry, and a whopping 72% were disgusted. Yet, the men were baffled that women weren’t flattered. It makes me wonder how confused they’d be when they realize we also dislike being told to smile.
So, to the random men who think it’s okay to approach women with unsolicited advice to smile, it’s time to stop. We aren’t charmed, we aren’t flattered, and we definitely don’t appreciate it. It feels invasive when a stranger tries to dictate our mood.
Next time I’m in a coffee shop, Target, or just strolling down the street, and a guy tells me to smile, I’m really going to push back against those years of conditioning. I might just respond with a firm “No, thanks,” or even a cheeky one-finger salute.
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In summary, telling women to smile is not only intrusive but also a reflection of outdated social norms. We deserve to express our feelings authentically without unsolicited commentary from strangers. Let’s create a world where women can exist freely, without the pressure to perform happiness for others.