1. Know your size
Sometimes you don’t understand how big you are to us and how scary your size can be. When you are 6 inches taller than me, it’s intimidating. When you’re bigger than me it can be terrifying. We know you don’t always mean to and you can’t exactly help it, but just know that you are a lot bigger to us than you think, even if you aren’t being mean; you are playing and being a friend. Your tone can come off much different than you think. Be aware of standing over me while talking to me it can come off different than you think
2. I am not an object
I am a human being and deserve to be treated as one. I am not something for you viewing pleasure and my body is not something for you to crack jokes about with your friends. I am aware of how my body looks, I don’t need you to point it out to me. If you wouldn’t want a guy saying it to your future daughter, don’t say it to me.
3. We don't just get pretty for you
Looking pretty makes us feel better about ourselves, so don’t assume we are trying to impress you. Don’t get me wrong, we love when you compliment us, but don’t assume it’s something for you. We like to look good so that you can look at us and make us feel beautiful, but mostly it’s for ourselves.
4. We can be athletically awesome too
We shouldn’t have to feel bad about being good at something, especially if we enjoy it. Instead, be proud of us. We can be good runners and good weight lifters too. We can love sports and being competitive too. We are not acting like a “guy,” we are acting like ourselves, like the strong women we are.
5. We can't always help being emotional
Our hormones and brains are different than yours. We can’t help it when we feel thinks differently or more intensely than you do. And believe me, sometimes we hate it too. No matter how we are acting there are genuine emotions behind it. There is a reason we are sad mad or happy. Once we get over the harsh emotions, if you really care, take the time to sit down with us and find out what we are really feeling.
6. Honestly is the best policy
Don’t lie. It won’t end well. No one wins in that situation; just tell the truth and we will be honest with you too. Nothing will anger us more than being lied to, and we will find out.
7. We are not a game
We are not something for you to win. We are not something for you to play. So don’t treat us like we are. We are not a prize for you to win at the end of the night. We are a person that you have a committed relationship with whether it be a friendship, a boyfriend, girlfriend, or just a girl in your class.
8. Treat me with respect
Respect is a mutual thing. If you expect me to respect you, then you need to respect me. I am worth just as much you are, so I expect to be treated like I am.
9. Just because we're talking to you does not mean we're interested.
It is possible that we just want to be friends. Just because we talk to you does not mean we want to sleep you nor does it mean we want to date you. We like talking to people and making new friends, and sometimes just innocent flirting. Don’t assume we want something more just because we enjoy talking with you.
10. I am not a right.
You have no right to me. I am my own person and I have a right to tell you what I am uncomfortable with. I am not “yours;” I am mine. When I break up with my boyfriend you are not “next” to date me. I do not have a list of guys in my pocket that I want to date. I want to have genuine feelings for you and you for me.
