Men love to say it with a shrug, a smirk, sometimes even a laugh: “I’m not worried about that.” The arrogance in that statement is thick enough to
Men love to say it with a shrug, a smirk, sometimes even a laugh: “I’m not worried about that.”
The arrogance in that statement is thick enough to cut. And here’s the thing—arrogance doesn’t make anyone safer. It only causes grief when it leaves families without sisters, mothers, daughters, nieces, or friends. But by then, it’s too late.
What men often dismiss as “silly worries” are the very survival skills women must sharpen daily. Here are twelve examples of where their carefree indifference meets our hard-earned vigilance:
1. Walking Alone at Night
Men: “I’m not worried about walking in the dark—what’s gonna happen?”
Arrogance: They assume the night is neutral. Women know predators prefer the shadows.
2. Accepting a Drink from a Stranger
Men: “I’m not worried about someone slipping something in my drink.”
Arrogance: They think danger comes with warning labels. Women know it comes in glasses.
3. Locking Doors and Windows
Men: “I’m not worried about locking up every time—I’ll hear if someone comes in.”
Arrogance: They imagine burglars announce themselves. Women know they don’t.
4. Posting Locations Online
Men: “I’m not worried about people knowing where I am. Who cares?”
Arrogance: They think their body isn’t a target. Women know stalkers are listening.
5. Getting Into a Rideshare or Taxi
Men: “I’m not worried about who’s driving—I just need a ride.”
Arrogance: They trust the road is always safe. Women know sometimes the ride is the threat.
6. Rejecting Advances
Men: “I’m not worried about telling somebody I’m not interested.”
Arrogance: They see rejection as minor. Women know it can be fatal.
7. Passing a Group of Men
Men: “I’m not worried about who’s standing on the corner.”
Arrogance: They think groups are harmless. Women know sometimes laughter is a warning.
8. Going for a Jog
Men: “I’m not worried about what I wear to run. I just put on shorts.”
Arrogance: They believe running is freedom. Women know it can end in a headline.
9. Speaking Up at Work
Men: “I’m not worried about being called difficult. People respect me.”
Arrogance: They assume their voice is neutral. Women know ours is always weighed, judged, and punished.
10. Trusting Institutions
Men: “I’m not worried about whether the police or courts believe me.”
Arrogance: They assume justice is automatic. Women know justice is conditional.
11. Using Public Bathrooms
Men: “I’m not worried about who’s in the bathroom with me—I’m just there to take care of business.”
Arrogance: They’ve never had to worry about being cornered, harassed, or filmed. Women must carry that worry every single time.
12. Living Without Fear
Men: “I’m not worried about any of this. Women just stress too much.”
Arrogance: They confuse our vigilance with weakness. In reality, it’s what keeps us alive.
Final Word
The arrogance of “I’m not worried about that” is not just tone-deaf—it’s dangerous. Because when men laugh at women’s concerns, they leave us to shoulder the weight of survival alone.
And that arrogance doesn’t protect anybody. It only leaves grief behind—grief that echoes in families who no longer have their daughters, their mothers, their sisters, their friends.
So no, women are not being silly. We are being wise. And until the world changes, our worry is not a weakness—it is wisdom sharpened by survival.
