Things people say to you, when you mention harassment, even liberal types, who care for the poor, for women’s issues and prefer to say Bombay, not Mumbai, are often variations of — why so serious?

When a friend’s friend drinks too much and is persistently handsy with you, you learn to smile stiffly and move places, because if you were to say something it would be awkward. Folks would feel you’re taking things too seriously. You cannot ask in return, why not serious?