I was raised by strong women in the West End of Louisville, and we don’t take shit offa nobody.
So, when I was a young executive secretary, and one of the bosses said to me, “You know, you’d be much prettier if you wore a little makeup,” I replied:
And I think your beard needs a trim, but I wasn’t going to mention it.
Perhaps fortunately for me, he thought that was funny. But he never made personal remarks to me after that.
This post is part of Linda G. Hills weekly blog hop, One-Liner Wednesday. If you have a one-liner or just like them, follow the link.
A WRITING PROMPT FROM ME TO YOU: If you’re a writer, how does (or would) your main character handle personal remarks? If you’re not a writer, how do (or would) you?
MA
Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt
March 3, 2021 at 7:02amShe says, “Good night, then.” And keeps on walking.
Never let them see you hurt.
It is a key turning point in NETHERWORLD.
Marian Allen
March 3, 2021 at 8:52amHe didn’t hurt me. To his credit, he didn’t intend to hurt me, he only assumed I gave a rat’s ass what he thought of my looks and wanted to give me some friendly advice. It pissed me off a little, but men’s personal opinions of my appearance only matter to me if I’m flirting with them (and then only insofar as I’m going to succeed or fail), and I wasn’t flirting with him.
Holly Jahangiri
March 3, 2021 at 7:05amThey never expect you to talk back and stand up for yourself. 9 times out of 10, they’ll grant a touché. That remaining one will turn mean and vindictive; that’s when you need allies, male and female. But give them the EXPECTED – flattery, acquiescence, tears, or outrage? They win, you lose, and so does every other woman they come in contact with.
Marian Allen
March 3, 2021 at 8:53amAbsolutely. That’s why I want to cheer at the climax of Labyrinth, every time, when Jennifer Connelly says, “You have no power over me.”
Holly Jahangiri
March 3, 2021 at 9:05amYes! It’s hard for many, I think. That’s why the rest of us have to help them find their voices – or speak up for them.
Dan Antion
March 3, 2021 at 7:26amPerfect comeback. What a stupid thing for him to say.
Marian Allen
March 3, 2021 at 8:54amI thought so, too. I couldn’t believe he said it.
Linda G. Hill
March 3, 2021 at 4:49pmGood for you! So many times I wish I’d have spoken up. 🙂
acflory
March 3, 2021 at 11:04pm-grin- you are my hero!
RAAckerman@Cerebrations.biz
March 4, 2021 at 2:27pmPoifect!
John Holton
March 4, 2021 at 7:23pmThat was a tacky thing for him to say.
Marian Allen
March 5, 2021 at 10:01amI thought so, too.
joey
March 5, 2021 at 7:49pmOh boy. As if.
I’d look a lot better if they let me roll in at 10 or actually leave at 5 😉 My female boss has made only nice comments about my appearance and my male boss has never said a word, as is appropriate!
Marian Allen
March 6, 2021 at 8:21amBack in the day, when NOW was just getting started, it was considered appropriate for men to instruct women on how to appeal to them. Hard to believe, isn’t it?
joey
March 6, 2021 at 10:03amIt would be if I hadn’t seen the ads, pamphlets, and articles of the time. 🙁