Obnoxious old man picked the wrong old lady to harass

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  • MaryLouiseMaryLouise Purgatory Host, 8th Day Host
    Rossweisse wrote: »
    Lyda wrote: »
    Enjoy adult Wednesday Addams schooling some young jerks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlIAhjRwOIE
    Oh, that's excellent. Thank you.

    When I was a very young woman, and in the midst of a Singularly Bad Day, a man I saw at the time as an old fart (he was probably in his late 40s or early 50s) pulled the, "Hey, sweetie, smile! You're too pretty to look so glum!" crap on me. I snapped, and snarled, "What the hell gives you the right to say that? Fuck off!" I honestly thought he was going to knock me down, he was so angry, complete with arm cocked to punch me out.

    Since then I have worked at not reacting, purely out of physical fear. But, oh, the things I think...


    Rossweisse, this is what I was getting at. Much of the time I don't feel consciously scared or threatened by those around me in public spaces. The micro-aggressions are infuriating but they don't signal danger. Yet I've had encounters turn nasty and physical very fast, and after years of working as a volunteer in shelters for battered women I'm aware how many [nice, outwardly respectable] men are used to hitting women when they don't get their own way or the flattering, compliant response they want. And often the men are as taken aback by their own reaction as the women they've punched or slapped.
  • fineline wrote: »
    Yes, it's the arrogant assumption that a man's opinion of a woman's appearance is very important, and a woman will be delighted and grateful to be told that a random man has assessed her looks and given his seal of approval. Creepy as fuck. But say anything about it and you're an ungrateful, difficult feminazi with no manners. Because, don't you know, even if you're awkward enough to have an issue with it, you're supposed to simply say a polite, meek 'thank you'. With a smile, preferably, as gosh, we're so pretty when we smile, and it's ever so important that we be pretty. Frowns are just so ugly on a woman! 🙄
    Oh, so very well said!

  • When I was young back in the 50s it was just one of those things we had to put up with. By the time I read 'A woman In Your Own Right' , I only needed to glance at some of it, because I had fortunately long since worked it all out for myself!
  • Marvin the MartianMarvin the Martian Admin Emeritus
    I suspect many of the same reasons that men cyber flash (send dick pics), which came up in Epiphanies in the Men's Reproductive Responsibilities thread links and more information here - a mixture of:
    • validation - to boost their own insecurities;
    • because if they keep asking most women will turn them down, but occasionally they'll get a positive response;
    • because they get a kick out of getting a response from women (their own sexual excitement)
    • pride in getting a reaction - a feeling of macho manliness

    The item missing from your list is “showing off in front of their mates”.
  • LydaLyda Shipmate
    Truth.
  • Just want to thank all of you for your insightful replies. I knew I could count on the Ship to understand my feelings about this crap!
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