Of all the ways to describe a woman, cute shouldn’t be one of them. You might think it’s a compliment, but there’s actually a lot of baggage that goes along with that word.
1. I was cute in 1st grade.
This is a fact. Big cheeks, round eyes, insisting on wearing my Pink Power Ranger costume to school every day. I was ADORABLE. Now I’m a grown woman and I only wears costumes on Halloween. If you want to compliment me, don’t make me feel like a child.
2. It makes me feel less than.
I eat steel for breakfast. Okay, that might be an exaggeration. I am strong, though. When you call me cute, all my accomplishments and hard work mean nothing. You boil me down to my looks. If you want to go there, your attempt at a beard is pretty cute.
3. You’re being patronizing.
It feels like a pat on the head. I’m not a puppy and I don’t exist to please you. After sharing my opinions, the last response you should give is, “You’re so cute.” Were you listening to what I was saying or are you incapable of hearing what a woman says? You’ve put yourself in a position of superiority, while I’m left feeling 2 feet tall. Your power trip is starting to p*ss me off.
4. I don’t have to be this nice to you.
I am kind and considerate by nature. Don’t push it. I might smile, laugh, and be generally cheery, but I am fierce. If you prefer your women to be simple and palatable, you’ve found the wrong gal. I have opinions and I want to be taken seriously, just like you.
5. No one calls Beyoncé or Gisele Bundchen cute.
Do I need legs up to my neck to get some respect around here? Hey, I’m not questioning what powerhouses these women are. I am saying there seems to be an unfair correlation between the sharpness of a woman’s jaw line and the words people use to describe her.
6. Just call me beautiful, like the woman I am.
When you call a woman beautiful/sexy/gorgeous, I know that you know I am a confident woman. Unless you’re describing my cat, throw “cute” out of your vocabulary! If you treat me like an adult, I’ll reciprocate. We could have so much adult fun.
