The other 'C' word

Chubby cheeks,

Dimpled chin,

Rosy lips, teeth within,

Curly hair, very fair,

Eyes are blue, lovely too.

Teacher's pet, is that you?

Yes, Yes, Yes!

No! No! No!

That's the thought that comes to my mind everytime I think of this nursery rhyme. You see, as long as I can remember, I have been associated with this song. Let me elaborate:

1. Chubby cheeks : Check.

2. Dimpled chin: Check.

3. Rosy lips: Check.

4. Teeth within: Check.

5. Curly hair: Check.

6. Very fair: Check.

7. Eyes are blue: Let's change blue to brown, ok?

8. Lovely too: Mmm..Check.

9. Teacher's pet, is that you?: Hell no! no! no!

The way I am brings about two reactions from people (usually strangers); either extreme shock/disgust/repulse or at the other end of the spectrum; a feeling of fondness. I have been called names that would send a normal man spiralling into depression (but since I'm used to it, I've gotten stronger and unconcerned). But if there is one word that kills me a little whenever someone calls me that is:

cute.

cute.

cute.

cute.

cute.

CUTE! CUTE! CUTE!

Ahem. Now that that is out of my system, let me explain myself. Ever since I was young, that is the word that has always been associated with me. Aunties/uncles/grannies call me cute, my friends call me cute, heck, even young kids call me cute.

And cute also comes in a package deal, by the way. If you're cute, your cheeks will be pinched by a multitude of people. "Ooooooooh choo cuttttttteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" *pinches cheek violently* If you think about it, isn't cheek pinching/pulling a form of molestation? You violate my personal space by touching me without consent. Think about it. And oh yeah, just to be clear, cheek pinching hurts like a BITCH.

I also consider being called cute an insult. Why can't you call me beautiful or pretty? Please reserve 'cute' for humans below the age of 10. Not 22-year-old women.

So, if you've seen Pamela Anderson's film Barb Wire, where she says "Don't call me babe", just remember...

Don't call me cute.