Do you find it rude when a random guy tells you to smile?

I remember reading about women being angry when guys told them to smile. Today I was browsing at the grocery store and a random guy stood by me a little then said "you should smile" when walking away. It didn't really offend me I was just confused why I was apparently supposed to be more cheerful when picking out some crackers?

What's the point of telling a stranger to smile? 😕

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

bijouxbroussard · F

That’s part of it, the fact that they feel the need to tell a total stranger to smile with no idea if you have any reason to be smiling. The other part is that no one ever tells men to smile. If he’s looking serious, people assume he has a reason, and doesn’t just exist as “eye candy”. So yes, I consider it rude coming from a stranger.

Stilltryinghard

@bijouxbroussard Its a very sexist thing, like calling post pubertal women "maam" just cause post pubutal women should (maybe?) bear children while any guy can sire one...an eleven year boy can be called sir.

bijouxbroussard · F

@Stilltryinghard I’ve never heard of an eleven year old boy being called “sir”. 🙁

Stilltryinghard

@bijouxbroussard There's no children's version of sir, that's what I meant.

like there is for maam (miss)

***********************************************************
so the idea that designation can be different according to sex, rubs me the wrong way

analogy: men are not asked to smile in the street for women

bijouxbroussard · F

@Stilltryinghard Right, that was what I said.

Fernie · F

@Stilltryinghard Not in America...it's just plain weird unless it's in a joking or Mom's mad at ya kind of way