No, I don’t have to give you my number.
No, I don’t have to go on a date with you.
No, I don’t have to pretend I’m interested in you, just so I can help you keep your “confidence.”
No, I don’t have to do anything for you.
I am a girl, and I don’t have to be nice to boys.
Women are often criticized and labeled with offensive words when they turn down a man or act “rude” towards one. So in order to avoid this ridicule, we are forced to be nice to a boy who won’t stop flirting with us, or stop lingering around us with catcalls and inappropriate words. Women often feel pressured to smile and nod to a boy who flatters us, even when it can become a bit too much in a bad way.
Men are not fond of women who shut down their attempts at “flirting” with them or calling them out in the streets. In the viral video of a girl walking through the streets of New York City, when she does not respond to the men catcalling her, the men become upset and instead insult the woman.
Women don’t have to be nice — they can simply walk away, reply with "no" and have their decision respected by men. However, we live in a society where men feel obliged to catch the attention of a women any way they please, and expect a positive response. If they are not met with this response, they don’t feel as if they had done something wrong, but instead find something wrong with the woman.
Samantha Sabaya, 21, says “The guy should look at the body language of a girl, and stop when a girl says no.”
Sabaya also explains how a woman should have enough respect as well to turn down a man even if he keeps attempting. When a man backs off from flirting, or catcalling this instead, is what catches the attention of a woman.
I believe it is important for men to create an example for young boys on the proper ways to appropriate a woman and to respect their decision. When faced with a woman’s rejection, this isn’t a portrayal of a men’s lack of masculinity, but instead can be for other reasons. Every woman is different, but one thing all women share is being valued with respect. Men shouldn’t feel superior to women and expect them to fall head over heels over them.
“Women don’t have to react in any sort of way. They don’t have to be like “oh, I'm sorry.” They're not working a job where they have to reach a certain satisfaction and they don't have to please people,” says Matthew Pineda, 17.
So, no, I don’t think women have the right to be nice to men. We can respond with no, and we don’t need to give any reasoning. A no is a no. Sorry I am not nice, but on second thought, I don’t have to be sorry.
