It’s a common narrative that some women present: they claim to be constantly approached and pursued by men wherever they go. However, it’s important to remember that not everything we hear is true, and women, like anyone else, can sometimes lie. Too many men believe what liars say.
This narrative seems even less believable in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Men have become more cautious and aware of their behavior in public spaces, as they don’t want to risk being accused of sexual harassment.
So, when a woman claims that she’s constantly asked out by men in malls, shops, or public transport, it’s natural to question its validity. After all, many of us frequently use public transport, visit supermarkets, and move around cities without ever witnessing such frequent instances of men asking women out. In fact, excluding nightclubs and lounge bars where such interactions are expected, it’s quite rare to see men approaching women for dates in public spaces, at least in major cities like Montreal, Toronto, New York city, Los Angeles, Paris, Tokyo, Madrid, and London.
It’s disheartening to see that some men unquestioningly believe these narratives, assuming that every woman always tells the truth.
The purpose of such narratives often seems to be manipulation. By presenting themselves as constantly pursued and desired, these women aim to increase their perceived value. They want to be seen as precious, as if they’re queens who deserve special treatment. They create an illusion of competition, making men believe they’re competing with many others for their attention. This strategy is used to increase their perceived sexual market value, making them seem even more irresistible than they might be in reality.
The ultimate goal of this manipulation is to lower a man’s ego, making him feel like he needs to work hard to earn her attention. This can lead to a dynamic where the man feels he must prove his worth, making him more susceptible to manipulation.