My wife and I were grocery shopping. We decided to get a sandwich. I sat at one of the few available tables while she ordered. A woman in her early forties sat at the table next to me with her back to me and her table. When my wife sat down she told me how the woman stared at her. My wife described her as a scary lady.

A few minutes later the woman got up and left. I noticed her standing off to the side of the counter where an attractive woman in her early twenties waited for an order. The woman was staring at this young lady, looking her up and down with what can only be adequately described as a unnerving stare. If she were a man she’d be labeled a creep.

Come on ladies, you know better. Men might be forgiven. Our mothers never taught us the fine art of approaching girls. Instead we fumbled and stumbled and mumbled our way along, embarrassing ourselves more often than not. You ladies didn’t make it easy on us either. In fact, I think you rather enjoyed our awkwardness. We saw your looks of superiority. The advantage was, and still is, on your side. But we persevered.

For you young men currently struggling through this situation I can give you one small piece of advice. A genuine smile and a bit of confidence can make all the difference in the world.

I’ve encountered a number of scary ladies over the years. I hadn’t paid much attention. I assumed, being a man, it was my fault, my manner of dress, something about my looks, my age, someone I reminder her of, etc. But now I’m thinking something else may be occurring.

Perhaps it is an effect of the drive for equality. Women are assuming the roles and mannerisms of men. If this is true, then please choose our positive traits. It’s bad enough that we have to be afraid of menacing men. Don’t tell me we need to start worrying about scary ladies too.