Lipstick on the Menu

In "Lipstick on the Menu," the narrator reflects on the power and pain of the male gaze. She prepares a dinner for the male gaze itself, trying to engage in a serious conversation about the way she is objectified and the impact it has on her self-worth. She expresses frustration with how her appearance is constantly scrutinized, forcing her to present herself in a way that pleases others, even at the cost of her own identity. Despite hating the way she is seen, she is also torn by the need for validation, as beauty has become intertwined with her sense of value. After an unsuccessful conversation, where the male gaze remains indifferent, she feels both liberated and defeated. The story concludes with her grappling with the decision to apply lipstick, symbolizing the conflict between self-expression and the pressure to conform to societal standards of beauty.