This is why I can’t stand you today! We were having such a great time today, walking around the boulevards, buying coffee and sitting at the park. The weather was wonderful! We saw an old couple sitting on the bench at the park. The old lady’s head was resting on her husband’s shoulder and they looked happy, so do we.

In the evening I asked you to see the city at night. You told me my beauty would be exposed better with a little more makeup. I forgave you for this comment, I know you meant well. We went to a new café in the new boulevards down the street from our apartment. It was majestic! All the people there looked so beautiful and content. The café was bright and welcoming. You went to the host to ask for a table. I was waiting outside smoking a cigarette when a man with a tired face and grey beard grabbed my hand tightly. He was hurting me. He told me how pretty I look and how much better I would look without my purse. I shook his hand off me, threw the cigarette quickly without even putting it out and went inside. We took our seats and you looked so calm, so I did not want to bother you with what happened a minute ago.

The wine was good, and you were funny as always. However, there he was. Standing and staring. The tired man with his children and I felt bad for them. I knew what he was staring at. It was my purse he wanted. I got anxious but still did not want to bother you because I knew that if I told you it would have ruined your night. I said in a moment of irritation: “I can’t stand those people with their eyes wide open like entrance gates! Can’t you ask the headwaiter to send them away?”

How difficult it is to be a woman living in the city. To be under constant pressure to look your best just so men could objectify you. You sit there, thinking how poor those men are but I know how cruel they can be. Women alone in the city is not a good idea but how would you know?

You are a man.