Being told to smile or "cheer up luv" on the street by men

Complete and utter balls. Where is your evidence that this happens more to women than to men, for starters?

It always happens when you're alone as well. Always gross middle aged men whilst I'm down an underpass or something. It's disgusting and scary and I feel like most men wouldn't understand why it's so inappropriate. Walking alone you're always on guard for being attacked - mobile phone up your sleeve, walking quickly through an underpass, picking routes which go along main roads rather than through woods and stuff, thinking about how you could use your school bag containing your heavy biology textbook to defend yourself, etc.
When you're in that frame of mind you don't want to be noticed by any men, so their comments make you realise that they see you and they don't respect you.

I haven't really had this from younger men though. Like I've been on a train carriage by myself filled with young (18-25 ish) drunk football fans coming home from a match and had more respect.




Posted from TSR Mobile

Ever attempted to make a pterodactyl screech at guys who do that? Lemme know how that goes

Or they can't read minds.

If they can't read minds maybe they soundn't tell random people in the street to cheer up?

Posted from TSR Mobile

Anyone else really fed up with being constantly told to cheer up or to smile by complete strangers? It always seems to be scummy old men or chavs who feel like they can say this

I used to find it funny and awkward but it's happening most times I go out now. It's especially annoying because I'm actually really happy. Are we just meant to be walking along the street grinning all the time?

Have any guys had this happen to them? Is it only men that say this or has a woman said something similar to you?

First off: I don't like your use of the word "chav." I am very much in love with a man who was called that when he was young. It's not funny, or cute. Do as you please but so will I addressing it.

Anywho: yes, I always get this. It is actually the nicest thing a random guy you don't know or aren't interested in can say. I've got:

"Come on, smile baby." And his friend said, "Nah, we just gotta MAKE her smile." I'm like but I ignore them and just keep walking. Nothing good can come of responding. But it's better than the other **** I've been told by strange men

Or they can't read minds.

I mean I would assume that the average man would know that if you see a young girl alone it's best to just let her be than make a comment which is perceived as scary. If they have enough of an understanding to recognise that, to them, she looks sad or upset even more reason to leave her alone lol...

I get why women are intimated by men in places like underpasses, I mean I don't exactly feel comfortable walking past a group of chavy looking youths, it just kind sucks knowing whenever I walk past a woman in one of these places I just know she is probbaly worrying whether or not I will attack her

Yes but a lot of people are idiots. It doesn't mean they are deliberately disrespecting you. They just don't realise how annoying or intimidating it can be.

I get why women are intimated by men in places like underpasses, I mean I don't exactly feel comfortable walking past a group of chavy looking youths, it just kind sucks knowing whenever I walk past a woman in one of these places I just know she is probbaly worrying whether or not I will attack her

Well I think I can speak on behalf of all women when I say that we would rather be in your shoes worrying about being perceived negatively rather than worrying about being raped or murdered...

That's the thing -- No one can tell who's threatening and who isn't just by looking at them. This is why these comments on the street are threatening to women: it's impossible to tell if the guy making the comment is a nutter or not. It's too much of a risk to give everyone the benefit of the doubt.

Never have and probably never will.

*checks my male privilege*

I didn't say otherwise. I agree it is much better to be in my position.

It's still not nice knowing you are being perceived as potential rapist on a semi regular basis though, even if it is worse having to worry about being raped.



I know. Which is why I said "I get why women feel like that"

Still doesn't mean I can't dislike the fact women will see me as potential threat. Even if I understand why they do.

I'm sure you don't need to protect the feelings of your chav boyfriend, he'll live.

Ok, well they are always chavs and I can call these people what I like. You don't get angry at me calling people scummy though? It wasn't meant to be funny or cute it's an offensive way to describe someone doing something that I find very irritating. You don't have to get mad at me because your boyfriend is a chav

I think the only good that comes from responding is making me feel a little less annoyed . But they probably do want the response.