While watching Deepika Padukone’s Filmfare speech, where she read from a letter her father Prakash Padukone wrote, I cried, as did she. I’m sure many others have too.
But here’s the point I want to make. Here’s a belief I want to break, if I can.
There are many people who tear-up very easily, and I am one among them. I am someone who ends up crying frequently because I am an emotional person. But here’s the difference – I am sentimental, not weak. I am sensitive, not unreasonable. I may even be emotionally fragile, but I always bounce back stronger.
So, here are a few myths about crying I want to break.
Men Don’t Cry
Have you seen Shah Rukh Khan huffing, puffing and crying in Kal Ho Naa Ho? Isn’t his face crying out loud, pleading for a hug? Well, you may beg to differ here, but in real life, situations can often be different.
Men have all the right to cry as much as women do, if not more. Emotional men are often told, ‘Are you a girl?’
What does crying have to do with gender? Crying doesn’t make anyone weak or puny. It means they care enough to express their emotions publicly. And there is absolutely no shame in that.
So, go ahead guys, let those tears roll.
Women are Emotionally Weak
If a woman cries in front of you, do not mistake her to be weak. When tears roll down our cheeks, we might be hurt, angry or extremely happy.
It doesn’t mean that we can’t turn around and punch you hard, if the situation demands it. If women are emotionally fragile, they are also tough nuts when required.
P.S? Don’t say, we didn’t warn you.
People Cry to Seek Attention
Boo-hoo – go many people easily.
Now, before you think the other person is exaggerating and begging for attention, think again. Grown-ups rarely cry to seek attention – that’s typical of children. (Can you imagine a grown-up going “I want a donut?” and then sobbing the size of Niagara Falls?)
Take an adult seriously when they’re tearing up. There’s usually something there.
Women Cry to Win Arguments
Okay, we hear you; there’ll be the occasional low blow to win an argument, but puhleez, that’s not just the women.
Also, let’s not generalise, shall we? Give your beloved the benefit of the doubt.
Men, if a woman gets angry with you and ends up crying at the end of a fight, it is a clear message – she is tired of trying to prove her point. So, if you love her, just go over and give her a tight hug. What happens next? Pure magic.
Only Women Cry After Breakups
People say, when a woman chooses to end a relationship, she’s done with her share of trying to make it work. But when a relationship breaks, it hurts both partners – so why judge only women?
I have had friends – both male and female – who’ve cried relentlessly for months after their breakups. Gender, seriously, has no role to play.