Stop telling women to smile on demand. There is nothing normal or acceptable about pressurizing us to smile when we don’t feel like it. I am just as human as you, which means I will smile and scowl depending on my mood. Your whim doesn’t mean a thing to me.
Anyone who does this is guilty of sexism. Gina Davidson explains why in a piece for The Scotsman.
“Research has shown time and again that women’s opinions are not taken as seriously as those of men, and yet serious women are regarded as seriously dull or “f***ing bitches”. Being ornamental, with a smile on your face, is apparently much more important than expressing a view, displaying your intellectual prowess, or being allowed to control your own facial expressions.
One particular survey found that 98 percent of women have been told to smile at work at some point in their lives by a male superior, with 15 percent saying it happens weekly, if not more often, the implication being that being pleasant in this way could just help them get on. How exhausting and demeaning.”
Check out the full article here: https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/columnists/everyday-sexism-why-men-need-to-stop-telling-women-to-smile-gina-davidson-2922667
Being told to smile is one of the reasons why I don’t mind wearing a mask in public. Barely anyone has told me to smile for two years, and it’s a refreshing change.
But does this mean I have to stay in a mask forever? I don’t think that’s fair, do you?
Men need to stop telling women to smile on demand. It’s rude and sexist. Thanks to the patriarchy, I’m sure people of other genders are guilty of doing this as well. So if you know anyone who wants women to smile on demand, please share this post with them.
This post is a part of The Normal Project.
Recommended Reading:
The Sexism of Telling Women to Smile: Your Stories
Why you shouldn’t tell a woman to smile
Seriously, Why Are Women Expected to Smile All the Time?
It’s Important For Men to Understand That They Need To Stop Telling Women to Smile
I have not visted for a while but the last few posts are great so I guess I will add you back to my everyday blog list. Cheers!
Preach. Masks have helped me avoid this situation And itz awful we have to hide like this to avoid this everyday sexism