The unwarranted request for women to smile is an all-too-common occurrence. One woman’s recent encounter sparked a discussion online, prompting an array of reactions and insights from internet users.
Approached by a Stranger
She started by saying, “Last week, I found myself in a situation that left me both perplexed and infuriated. A stranger passed me on the street.
Not Frowning
She explained that she wasn’t frowning. She just wasn’t smiling either. Like most people going about their daily lives, she was wearing a neutral facial expression.
Thinking of Errands
The woman had a lot of errands to do. So, she was running through the long list in her head, as she decided where to start.
Told Her to Smile
“Smile, it could be worse,” he told her. Little did he know that she would turn the tables on him with a fabricated, heart-wrenching response.
Parents in an Accident
She informed him that her parents were in an accident. On hearing her mother was dead and her father’s life support was about to be turned off, the man was speechless.
Walked Away
The man walked away without further comment. It seemed he didn’t have an answer for that.
Unsolicited Advice
She told internet readers, “The incident got me thinking about the common but unsolicited advice that men often give to women, to smile. Many other women had something to say about this perplexing behavior.”
The Joker Grin
One woman’s witty and sarcastic approach involved donning an exaggerated grin, and asking if she was pretty yet. This was in response to a man telling her she would be pretty if she smiled.
Trivializing Grief
Another woman shared her experience of being told, “It can’t be that bad,” shortly after learning about her father’s passing. She wanted to highlight how such comments can inadvertently trivialize emotions and intensify the pain.
Acts of Kindness
In a warmer anecdote, a stranger’s act of kindness was recounted as an Uber driver recognized a woman’s distress and offered help with carrying heavy luggage. She was fleeing a bad relationship and clearly distressed.
The Gender Bias
Many women noted that this behavior is disproportionately directed at them. They commented on the unsettling gender bias in societal expectations regarding emotional expression.
Ignoring Real Emotions
The act of commanding a smile implies that some men may not take women’s emotions seriously. This perpetuates harmful stereotypes and dismissing their feelings as insignificant, one reader claimed.
Resting Smirk Face
A woman who compared her smile to looking like a smirk, said it was the reason she tried not to smile around strangers. She said it wasn’t worth the judgment and mistrust from people she didn’t know.
A Father’s Funeral
One poignant story shed light on how inappropriate comments can compound grief. It wasn’t the only experience of a woman being told to smile after losing a loved one, or even on their way to a funeral.
The Breaking Point
At breaking point, one woman managed to wrangle a free coffee as a barista told her to smile. This happened on the day of her father’s funeral.
Unrealistic Expectations
This common experience highlights the expectations of how women should behave and express themselves. Many agreed that this needs to change.
Raising Awareness
Sharing these stories allowed women and men to engage in discussions about these experiences. One commenter said she hoped it raises awareness about the impact of unsolicited commands.
Encouraging Authenticity
One internet reading suggested that rather than dictating emotions, we should all be allowed to wear whatever facial expression we want. “It’s not our responsibility to smile or look pretty for anyone else,” she said.
Just Think First
There was an overwhelming agreement that it’s impossible to know what is going on in the life of a stranger. These personal stories suggest it’s a good idea to think first, before telling a stranger to smile.
He Sold the Family Home for Three Times What He Paid for It, but Now His Siblings Are Demanding a Share of the Profit
A man bought his two siblings out of their share of the family home when their mother passed away. Now he’s sold the house for three times the amount he paid for it, and his siblings are demanding a cut.
This Groom Invited His Ex-Girlfriend To His Wedding, But When She Showed Up In Suspenders He Had His Regrets!
Recently, a couple decided to have a micro wedding with just their immediate family, around ten people. They chose a venue known for holding significant events, but they hired a smaller room there.
This Groom Invited His Ex-Girlfriend To His Wedding, But When She Showed Up In Suspenders He Had His Regrets!
He Was Blinded by Love, Until He Learned About His Romanian Wife’s True Motives
In a tale fraught with deception and vengeance, a man recently divulged his experience of unmasking his Romanian wife’s infidelity and orchestrating a chain of events that ultimately led to the revocation of her Greencard, laying bare her hidden agenda.
He Was Blinded by Love, Until He Learned About His Romanian Wife’s True Motives
