Take the cilantro, leave the zamboni

Here's to the "nice guys." Apologies to ye who have already seen this from elvinborn.

I have known a lot of these guys. They have put up with SO MUCH CRAP from me when I was younger, far more stupid, far less stable, and far more insecure. They made me food, calmed my panic, helped me study, listened to me whine endlessly, and drove me places. To be fair, some of them were nice guys who would not date _me_ for various reasons. And in a few cases I dated some genuinely nice guys and other stuff went wrong. But I've listened to nice guys talk about the being taken for granted, and the being denigrated for being attentive and interested, and the self-doubt raised when women play hard to get.

Girls of the world, grow up. Have your fun, learn your lessons, but don't take good things for granted. We're not so far out of the time when we DID NOT GET THESE CHOICES. Many women in the world still don't get them. Don't squander your right and priveledge to choose men who are wise and kind and patient. You have female ancestors who undoubtedly didn't get that right. Don't lower your standards; raise them. And don't be an effing idiot.

Nice guys of the world: I tried to remember to notice. Thank you.