no, i can’t do casuals. i can’t do situationships. i can’t do summer flings, winter flings, or whatever season we’re pretending this is.
just get me my husband ffs.
Every time I speak about my experiences with men or why I’m cautious around them, there’s always someone ready to tell me, “Not all men.”
Fair enough.
But the ₹370 biryani controversy perfectly demonstrates why women remain cautious anyway.
Because the problem has never been identifying the bad ones. If it were that easy, nobody would have these experiences.
The problem is that you don’t know.
You don’t know which man sees a date as two people getting to know each other and which man sees it as a transaction. You don’t know who is being kind because they’re genuinely interested in you and who is being kind because they expect a return on investment.
That’s why so many women have their guard up.
What bothered me most about that clip wasn’t one man’s comment. It was how familiar the mindset felt.
Women have been dealing with versions of this forever: “I paid for dinner.” “I drove all the way here.” “I did so much for you.”
Different words. Same message.
The belief that effort deserves access.
The belief that kindness deserves a reward.
The belief that human connection is transactional.
It isn’t.
A date is not a contract. A meal is not an investment. Basic decency is not a down payment on someone’s body.
And until more people understand that, women will continue being cautious, no matter how many times they’re told they’re being unfair.
Lately, one thing I’ve realised is that you can literally give a garden full of roses to a person, but it’ll never be enough for someone whose favorite flower is marigold.