Best response to Smile luv, it might never happen!

[aliasjoey]

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.

"You happened."

I think a simple 'fuck off' would suffice tbh.

"It just did"

Or on a particularly bad day, "it f#cking did!"

It already has. A big smelly arsehole has just told me to cheer up.

"Pardon? Why are you saying that?"

I'd go with Jaquetta's reply. Delivered in my best withering voice.

Or I'd guilt them. "My dog just died, you hopeless prick".

I told one my brother was in hospital dying, I don't have a brother. And I told one my cat had been run over, I didn't have a cat

'Fuck off'

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

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

I like Joffrey's response as well.

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

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.

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.

It already has.

Smile at you? Whatever for?

' 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

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?"

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.

males no longer not makes no longer.

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

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 .

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

"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!

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!

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