Act Like A Lady

It's hard to be a woman.

I know, I know. I live in a time and place where women have more freedom than ever. I should consider myself lucky. But am I?

Am I lucky when the landlord for my office building looks me up and down while he speaks to me? Should I feel fortunate when in the twenty or so paces it takes for me to walk to the party store for a bag of chips that the guy on the sidewalk tells me how good I look "If I may say so?" Funny, he didn't ask till after he said it and then pried further for my phone number. Am I to rejoice every morning that I argue with myself about whether or not to put on makeup, for fear that one of my clients may find me attractive if I do apply some eyeliner?

Is it fair to others that I have been so jaded by my daily interactions with men that I now find it difficult to even have a casual exchange at a friend's birthday get together? I often intentionally avoid introducing myself first or bringing up topics of discussion in social situations because I have been taught to expect that any politeness on my end will be mistaken for interest. 

Fuck it. I got distracted by snacks. I can't be serious when there's mujadara involved.

EDIT:

I just stumbled across this video and found it to be slightly related.