I have just got unreasonably irritated with somebody on Nextdoor dot com messaging me offering me a free makeover in exchange for being able to use photos. Twice. Being ignored once should be sufficient, I feel. Apart from the fact that she is certainly just trying to sell me makeup, I get annoyed by the assumption that I would find this offer appealing. I really don’t like anybody messing with my face or hair and this has been a problem when I’ve had to have them done for events. I just grit my teeth, but also get a bit aggy. I told her I have absolutely no wish to have gunk smeared all over my face by a stranger and I’ve no idea why she thinks I would based on anything I’ve ever posted there.

I think this is the strongest feminist impulse I have. Reacting angrily to people assuming I will find certain prettifying things appealing because I am female. I once loudly told a man who asked me (and not my husband) if I’d like a chance to win my dream kitchen “Having a vagina does not cause me to dream about kitchens.”