Holly
Today I bought a new (well, third-hand) car. My dad suggested he take a photo of me with it, and as he did, a passing man said, “If I buy the car, does the girl come free?” There are several things that would explain my upset feelings here: – he’s talking about me as though I’m a possession; – he’s giving the car more value than me.. I’m a free gift to sweeten the deal, it seems; – he’s talking to my dad as though he’s in a position to sell me/my car; – he’s referring to me as a ‘girl’ (I am 30); But the thing that annoyed me most in the moment was that I couldn’t say anything because he thought he was paying me a compliment. To point out I was upset would seem brash, and to play along would be flirting. But he had good intentions. So I said nothing. Then I felt upset on the way home, instead of enjoying my car!