Today two strangers (both female) had gotten a tantrum in front of me.
I'm in my twenties. I wear pretty clothes but rarely put on makeup or take pains to wear something that isn't comfy (I'm kind of baby-faced, though, so people think I'm younger, for better or for worse). I do, however, put in the effort to maintain my curly hair.
Today, on my way to work, my hair was laid down, and a young woman tried to stop me in my tracks by repeatedly yelling, "excuse me", and when I went on my way, she shouted, "you rude"!.
Then, when I got to the area where my work is, where there are many offices, a woman in the parking lot asked from afar: " Do you work at the office?".
I said: " yes, why?". I said while moving forward, closer to where the offices were, as well as her.
"Are you going on the trip?"
"No", I said and moved past her. There was no trip I had heard of.
"You could have been nicer, u know? I just wanted to know if you were going on the trip", she said behind me. All I did was answer her questions without a smile.
All I was thinking of was, would a man get the same treatment had he acted this way?
I'm also feeling more determined than ever not to waste my time on people or extend my kindness to them out of a sense of obligation and people-pleasing.
I would never think a stranger is beholden to help me in anything not life-threatening (unless they are paid to do so) or scold them for not helping me.