"This one is for the ladies out there!" Girls, how many times have you been called "intimidating?" Sometimes it's for the dumbest reasons: reasons that really have no connection to the word. Most of the time if men are considered these things, there would be no need to bring it to light. Some people get this label of "intimidating" for one reason, some for many. Why are you intimidating? I'll tell you the reasons I've gotten, plus some I've heard.
1. Smiling at people that you walk by
I thought smiling at people is something completely normal, but I guess sometimes that's not the case. It shows confidence, it shows happiness, who thought that means you're an intimidating person? If anything, we should be telling people to smile more—not less!
2. Being tall
Sadly this is something we cannot control as human beings, which makes it even more ridiculous that tall equals intimidating. Look at Pitbull—he's 5"7' and he's rocking his height. Even if he's technically under average for male height, if he was a girl he'd be over-average. I'm 5"8', and because there's this odd stereotype that tall means you're intimidating. I always said I was shorter (although I was clearly a majestic giraffe). Embrace your height!
3. Not being afraid to wear whatever you want
Weren't we told when we were younger to be proud of who you are and to embrace differences? But the second someone is dressed significantly different, that's intimidating? If we were meant to all wear the same thing, there wouldn't be so many stores, boutiques and the fashion world would basically crumble. What the hell is that?
4. Holding eye contact
A big one. Eyes are the windows to the soul, that's what people say, at least. I don't know about you, but I like looking at people's eyes. I like the colors and the shape, everything. But this makes me intimidating?
5. Knowing that you work with mostly the opposite gender, and that's OK!
This is one that I see the most, and I bet the few other girls I work with can say the same. "One of the guys"? Honestly no, I just have the same passion as you and I want to do it for my career. Who cares what gender you are?
6. Not having stage fright
This can speak for itself! Especially if you're Pitbull.
7. Having a decent, overall confidence for yourself
Confidence is hard to come by, especially for a lot of Millennials.
8. You might not be good at everything, but you're good at something! And you know it!
Not in a cocky Pitbull way, though. You're allowed to be proud of yourself, but not like Pitbull.
10. Leading the group
In life and in school projects, some are leaders and some are followers. If you are the leader, sometimes that is just the role you can play nicely, this may come off as intimidating. But someone has to take up the role!
11. Not being afraid to say what you think
"One Destiny, One Life, Live it Up!"