42 Comments
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Mark Hayes's avatar

Any man who sees you (and isn't gay, a eunuch or dead) is going to be attracted to you because you're objectively beautiful. And that's a nice thing for you and for them.

BUT, finding you attractive and invading your private DMs are two very different things. Online spaces can be very scary for women because so many men feel entitled to ignore the boundaries that they feel don't apply to them.

The point is, a man should NEVER DM a woman without a clear and specifically offered invitation. That invitation is not, "her writing is sexy," "Man, she's HAWT," or, "She seems so friendly."

I miss the days of actual courtesy.

Candy Downs's avatar

I am very fortunate that the majority of men in my DMs are very kind and some have become my friends. But it is definitely a nuanced conversation and I appreciate you being one of the good ones, Mark! ♥️♥️♥️

Mark Hayes's avatar

I'm still standing on the "Don't DM without a specific and clear invitation." rule.

...and I'd never want to admit the "good one" part but mammy done teach me to be a polite one!

Chris Keller's avatar

i adore you and your writing. i am also so very excited to see where you go from here with you breaking your rules. if i would disagree about anything in this post, it is that you are not a mirror, you are a flame, a spark (and funny as hell) and light always attract lots of insects, moths, and (hopefully) a calming presence.

Candy Downs's avatar

I adore you CK! Thank you for this ♥️

Chris Keller's avatar

Oh, if you go to Ruth’s Chris, i expect photos!

France Pinzon • literary speck's avatar

The honesty is so powerful in this one, Candy. Made me reflect on myself and past relationships with men.

In this pursuit for dopamine rush, both sides are complicit.

Candy Downs's avatar

🙏🏻 adore you.

Charlotte Tracy Clarke's avatar

Oh boy, I sure need to know a WHOLE LOT MORE about this one. You make me laugh, you keep me guessing, you make reading your stories so enjoyable. The hope that I get to meet you in person? I think it might be a reality and I am very, very here for it!!!

Candy Downs's avatar

Hi hi!! Yes I will definitely fill you in, in person hopefully ❤️ let me know when you are free next week!! 🙏🏻

Charlotte Tracy Clarke's avatar

Gonna have you over with your Mama and John after you settle for a minute here. Already asked about your Vino preferences and culinary choices today at the Sheppard Christmas Open House! Red carpet waiting, ha, ahhahahahhaha!

Candy Downs's avatar

Yay!!!! Omg I’m so excited 🥂

Borderline Obsessing's avatar

Thank you for your honesty.I quit the dopamine fixes 4 years ago and learned to love myself. Now that I do, I don’t want to go back to dating. So there’s that 😆

Candy Downs's avatar

Yes this! Once the hits quit hitting it’s time to look inward for that validation. Haha and I don’t blame you for taking a break, dating is exhausting!

Melanie's avatar

🔥🔥🔥

Rey's avatar

Great read. Sometimes, rule breakers are needed to the advantage of some people.

Candy Downs's avatar

Thanks for reading my friend!

Pamala Vallarta's avatar

I think you are a magnet, a beautiful, funny magnet.

Candy Downs's avatar

I’m a something magnet 😅😍😘

Pamala Vallarta's avatar

Babe! Rising Humor - we are both in the Top 100

Bear Wiseman's avatar

I once knew that feeling, in my 20s. I was the boi, the one guys could talk to about video games and movies and action figures and metal bands, and I knew as much if not more than they did.

In more recent years, smoking a lot of weed and gaining 10kg will do wonders for getting people to stop giving you unwanted attention 😅

But... now I feel like I've been left on a cliffhanger! 😮

Candy Downs's avatar

Hahah the gaining weight didn’t work for me, I’m gonna have to start smoking weed! I’ll post an update when I’m not busy with the cliffhanger this week 😏

Bear Wiseman's avatar

Moving to Finland probably helped too 😅 people don't talk to strangers here unless you're near a bar.

Marlana's avatar

Okay but “I only use (men) in moderation” literally took me out 😭 This is such a brutally honest dismantling of longing versus love. The two-way glass metaphor? Chef’s kiss. And that turn from quick hits to someone who actually calms the nervous system hits so hard because it’s earned, not romanticized. Real, funny, quietly devastating, and somehow deeply satisfying. Loved every line.✨

Candy Downs's avatar

You’re the best! Miss you let’s have a proper catch up soon!!! Xoxo 💋

Marlana's avatar

Whenever your done being a world traveler you know when and where and how to find me lmfao 🤣

Candy Downs's avatar

I knock on your door.

Marlana's avatar

Can’t wait 😂

Mandie Peterson's avatar

Love the honest look at vulnerable human tendency in this one… and the lil hint of something a-brewing 🤗🤗🤗

Leonardo Wassilie's avatar

Dope mine! A mine? Mine mine mine! Dopa copa coma mine! What a rush it it. Vroom vroom in the room bring a broom not a groom. Moon the shine dopa mine, don’t be so mean dopamine, know what I mean? Dope is the order of symbolic borders of eyes crossed and tees dotted in fashion of the Candied editor.

Katelyn Cnossen's avatar

Candy are you in L-O-V-E!?

Laggy's avatar

I’m excited for you

Sometimes people break through and demand your full attention

Candy Downs's avatar

Thank you my sweet friend ❤️ you always have my attention.

Laggy's avatar

Such kind words ❤️

Ulysses Santillan's avatar

Great work. Dopamine is the word. Everyone needs it. They get it somehow. Social media. Likes. Photos. Will it ever end? No. Attention is important. But with attention comes the otherside. Everyone gets blinded by beauty, words, and want. Thanks for the read.

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Jan 11
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