Not Every Conversation Is a Signal

This poem was not written out of anger,

but out of a quiet exhaustion many women carry —

the exhaustion of being misunderstood,

of having their kindness turned into assumptions,

and their boundaries turned into battles

that far too many girls face every day.

.

Sometimes I wonder…

do girls even have the right to just talk normally?

.

Because the moment we do —

a simple conversation, a smile, basic kindness —

it somehow turns into a “signal” in someone else’s head.

.

A girl and a boy having a casual conversation in a café, with thought bubbles symbolizing different interpretations.
Sometimes, it’s just a conversation — nothing more

.

A “maybe she likes me.”

A “maybe this means something more.”

.

But it doesn’t.

.

Some girls are just like that —

naturally kind,

soft in the way they speak,

warm in the way they treat people.

.

They make others feel comfortable,

not special.

They are just being themselves.

.

And they shouldn’t have to change that

just to feel safe.

.

But somehow… they are expected to.

.

Because when they say,

clearly, calmly,

“I’m not interested,”

.

something shifts.

.

Not in them —

but in the space around them.

.

Kindness becomes confusion.

Silence becomes attitude.

Distance becomes a challenge.

.

And suddenly,

“No”

is no longer enough.

.

Messages don’t stop.

Boundaries are ignored.

And what should have ended with respect…

turns into discomfort,

sometimes even fear.

.

Honestly?

It’s exhausting.

.

We don’t want to be rude.

We’re just trying to feel safe.

We’re not leading anyone on —

we’re just being normal human beings.

.

And yes… we know,

not all men are like this.

Many are respectful, kind, and understanding —

and this is not about them.

.

But the ones who are not…

make it harder to feel safe anywhere.

.

So tell me —

why should kindness feel like a mistake?

.

Why should being polite

come with consequences?

.

Why should anyone have to change

who they are,

just to avoid being misunderstood?

.

Because a conversation

is not a confession.

A smile

is not an invitation.

And kindness

is not a promise.

.

Not every smile is interest.

Not every conversation is a signal.

And every “No” deserves to be respected —

the first time.

.

—Rajeshwari 🧿💕

© Nihshabd by Rajeshwari. All Rights Reserved

Comments

14 responses to “Not Every Conversation Is a Signal”

  1. Vijay Srivastava Avatar

    This piece is deeply sensitive, balanced, and quietly powerful.

    What stands out most is how you’ve expressed a serious and often overlooked reality without anger just with clarity and grace. You’ve shown that boundaries are not acts of defiance, but a natural and necessary right.

    The closing lines “A conversation is not a confession… a smile is not an invitation… and every ‘No’ deserves to be respected the first time” leave a lasting impact. They are simple, yet profoundly important.

    This is not just a poem; it’s a calm, courageous voice that invites reflection.
    -Vijay

    1. nihshabdblog Avatar

      Thank you so much, Vijay ji, for your kind and thoughtful words. I truly appreciate the way you connected with the piece and understood its quiet intent. I’m really glad that the idea of boundaries being a right, not defiance, resonated with you — that was at the heart of it.🤍✨
      It means a lot to know that the closing lines stayed with you. Grateful for your perspective and for reading it so deeply. 🤍✨

  2. Deepika Avatar

    Some girls and women are outspoken and express what they believe. They have their own perspective, but society—often even our near and dear ones—labels them as rude. In reality, they are not rude; they simply have their own viewpoint. If people cannot understand that, it is their limitation, not hers.

    1. nihshabdblog Avatar

      Absolutely Deepika✨. Being expressive or having a perspective doesn’t make someone rude — it just makes them honest. Thank you for adding this layer to the conversation.🤍✨

  3. Deepika Avatar

    Thank you for highlighting this, it adds so much depth to the conversation.

    1. nihshabdblog Avatar

      Sometimes these conversations aren’t easy, but they’re necessary. If it could add even a little depth or make someone feel seen or aware, then it’s worth speaking about. Change often begins with conversations we don’t ignore.🤍✨

  4. vermavkv Avatar

    This is quietly powerful and deeply honest. The way you’ve expressed that unspoken exhaustion feels very real and relatable.

    I especially appreciate the line about kindness being mistaken for something more—it captures a truth many overlook. Your words are gentle, yet they carry a strong message about respect, boundaries, and simply allowing people to be themselves.

    Simple, sincere, and impactful.

    1. nihshabdblog Avatar

      Thank you for reading it so deeply 🤍
      Some emotions don’t arrive loudly… they just sit quietly within us, waiting to be understood. I’m glad those unspoken parts felt seen.
      And yes, kindness should be allowed to exist… without being turned into something it was never meant to be.🤍✨

  5. Sanjay Ranout Avatar

    Fact, but can’t generalise over worldwide

    1. nihshabdblog Avatar

      I get what you’re saying… and I agree, not everything can be generalized 🤍
      This wasn’t about putting everyone in the same box, but about speaking of an experience that exists for many.🤍✨
      There are always exceptions… and they’re important too.🤍✨

      1. Sanjay Ranout Avatar

        That’s right ma’am

      2. nihshabdblog Avatar

        Thank you so much… means a lot 🤍✨

  6. SRIKANTH Avatar

    Rajeshwari, this is one of those poems I need to read more than once. You captured something so quietly painful—the exhaustion of being misread, the weight of having your warmth mistaken for something it was never meant to be. The way you drew the arc from kindness to discomfort to fear is devastating because it’s so real. Thank you for writing this, and for writing it not from anger but from truth. That honesty is its own kind of strength.🌷🤝

    1. nihshabdblog Avatar

      I’m truly touched you read it that way Srikanth ji…
      It wasn’t easy to write, but sometimes honesty chooses its own voice. Thank you for holding that space so gently 🤍

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