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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Best response to Smile luv, it might never happen!

82 replies

aliasjoey · 28/09/2016 23:50

I posted in Feminism because this is nearly always said by a man to a woman. I don't know if it's that some men think women are just there for them to look at, therefore have to be smiley and pretty?

Or maybe it's me, I just have a Bitchy Resting Face.

I just wish I had the perfect reply.

OP posts:
traviata · 30/09/2016 09:06

I think the best responses are those which don't validate the comment.

Saying things like 'my cat died' etc is justifying why you aren't all smiley and happy for his entertainment. It suggests that it was ok for him to comment, and you have an explanation.

I prefer "don't tell me what to do with my face', or "why would I want to smile at you?", or "it's very rude to comment on my expression".

WinchesterWoman · 30/09/2016 08:49

SmashingHmm

WinchesterWoman · 30/09/2016 08:49

Power : that's as mashing

powershowerforanhour · 30/09/2016 08:47

Stare at them. Then widen your eyes, clench your teeth, and pull your lips back to bare your teeth. Like a Wallace and Gromit grin, but without the warmth so it looks like a hideous skull-like leer. Hold it for a second or two, resume bitch resting face, and stare at them again.

JacquettaWoodville · 30/09/2016 08:01

"I'm only happy when it rains"

JammyDodger16 · 30/09/2016 06:07

Eurgh I always got this before I drove and got buses a lot. Never said anything to the bus drivers. There was never anything wrong and it annoyed me so much, normally said I days when I was particularly happy.

StCecilia · 30/09/2016 06:03

I usually give them a cold withering look, such a ridiculous request deserves no answer.

Either that or I smile manically as if I'm a psychotic murderer and they're next on my list.

lizzieoak · 30/09/2016 05:16

Can I briefly be a woman under 50 again, merely for the lasting pleasure of saying to one of these dickheads "dance minion, so that your antics may please me"? :D

DixieWishbone · 30/09/2016 04:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fldsmdfr · 30/09/2016 04:40

The instructor of a class my dds and I do together told my 7-year-old to 'Smile!' in the middle of a stretching exercise at our last class. I had to make do with frowning at him at the time, but if he does it again I might have to explain to him what a dickish thing it is to do and why it's so depressing that it happened to my 7-year-old. 7 ffs!

Women and girls are not decoration for men's worlds!

TwigletsMakeMeViolent · 30/09/2016 03:42

"OK, I'll smile when you...lose that beer belly/get a new shirt, that one looks like your mum dressed you/put a bag over your hideous face"

Oh, thought we were offering suggestions? Just trying to cheer you up, MATE!

WinchesterWoman · 30/09/2016 03:34

I stare at them, sometimes I look them up and down, very gravely, and continue to watch and stare as I walk by.

avamiah · 30/09/2016 01:57

Omg,don't get me started.
I bloody hate that crap, shit, pathetic sexist remark that men who are usually builders or black cab taxi drivers say and think its funny, when really its just a way for them to get a conversation going or so they think so.
I don't even bat a eyelash these days as most of them wouldnt even get a job on the Muppet Show .

MrHannahSnell · 30/09/2016 01:43

"Too late mate. It already has" is the traditional response.

lizzieoak · 29/09/2016 16:05

males no longer not makes no longer.

lizzieoak · 29/09/2016 16:04

All of the above. I used to get this constantly (when young & pretty but w bitchy resting face). I am now 50-something & pretty but makes no longer require me to wander about looking ready to be thrilled to see them.

Generally I'd tell them to fuck off though did tell one very sternly that he had no idea what was going on w my life so to keep his suggestions to himself. He was stunned into silence. A friend and I were walking up to Highgate village when we were 19. My auntie had just died of cancer while we were staying with her and my friend had just had a letter (this was a million years ago obviously) saying her brother was lost at sea. Got told by a man leaning in the door of his shop "cheer up girls, it can't be that bad!"

They can all fuck right off.

NotYoda · 29/09/2016 15:48

i think ignoring is best, or just looking really quizzical as if to say "do i know you? do i give a fuck what you think about me? what the hell are you going on about?"

Lottapianos · 29/09/2016 09:52

' I don't know if it's that some men think women are just there for them to look at, therefore have to be smiley and pretty? '

Yes, that's exactly it. They don't say it to other men, just to women. Its utterly pathetic behaviour

I like all of the responses above! I just ignore usually, it deprives them of any reaction whatsoever. I have also done a totally blank look, almost like you're looking through them, like they're of no consequence whatsoever. Although I guess that's still a reaction. Spend a few seconds thinking about what a truly pitiful specimen you have to be to stand around harassing women on the street, then get on with your life

paxillin · 29/09/2016 09:52

Smile at you? Whatever for?

Prawnofthepatriarchy · 29/09/2016 09:47

It already has.

ShatnersBassoon · 29/09/2016 07:50

Although I don't think this has happened to me, I'd ignore anyone who said it. They want a reaction, they're attention seeking. A lame comeback (which would be all I could come up with on the spot) would give them what they want.

GeorgeTheThird · 29/09/2016 07:45

I prefer "Fuck off" too. As you say, it is always said by a man to a woman. But now I am old I get it far less. So I conclude it is usually said by a man to a young woman. So they can fuck off.

museumum · 29/09/2016 07:45

A cold calm stare and "you know nothing about my life".

HarleyQuinzel · 29/09/2016 07:43

I just say 'fuck off' too. Always throws them a bit.

I like Joffrey's response as well.

QuiltedAloeVera · 29/09/2016 07:39

'Fuck off'

'Don't tell me what to do with my face.'

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