In the process of making your point, I believe you missed mine. The reason you’re reading the word “smiling” ten times is not because I go around doing so much of it, but because it’s the aspect I’m choosing to highlight in that story: performative niceness. Women and other non-men are constantly choosing how to navigate outcomes with men who feel entitled to our time.

I’m not sure you read past the first paragraph here, as I offer examples of other kinds of responses too. They each work, unless they don’t. The point is that while many become skillful at managing intrusive interactions with men, we shouldn’t have to. Your assertion that women should somehow learn to do something differently to handle offensive behavior by men is rooted in the actual problem. MEN need to learn that women’s time and bodies are none of their concern! That’s what would alleviate this problem and put us on more equal footing in public places.

It’s worth noting though, that men do this with other men as well — in some cultures more than others. The way we interact in public is often constructed (by male behavior and social class in most regards) as a display of hierarchy. Who is entitled to take the time and attention of another without due cause? That’s the question being answered. Because of this, no one “defense” (as you offer) will work every time.

“Educating and preparing women to deal with these moments”? Please stop. The point is, we’re busy. If you want “the sex evolution” toward “humanity” as you say, start educating men to behave with respect and public civility toward all.