Put Your Number in my Phone is a four-minute YouTube video with over ten million views. It features two young men from Miami who come to BYU Campus under the—apparently correct—impression that girls at BYU are overly trusting and naive when it comes to men. The two men in the video walk up to random women on campus and command the girls to "Put your number in my phone." Shockingly enough, most women put their number in their phone without question—just a few giggles to represent their sadly low self-esteem and strikingly high need to be liked. The few women who asked "why" before sharing their personal information with a complete stranger seemed appeased by the answers, "Because I said so" or "Because I think you're cute." One of the men asked an unassuming target who had quickly put her number in his phone, "What if I'm a rapist?" Good question, because for all she knew, he could have been! Just because someone walks around BYU campus or is a BYU student does not mean they are trustworthy or safe.
After one girl was commanded to put her number in his phone, she responded, "Do I have to?" NO, YOU DON'T! YOU HAVE A CHOICE! It should be obvious; however, her voicing this question addresses an important issue at BYU that many women face: The idea that you have to say yes to every first date, and that saying no is mean. I want to correct that false notion. Saying "no" to a date—especially with a perfect stranger—is more than okay. It's smart; it shows that you have self-respect and are more concerned about your safety than social status. If you learn more about him, he turns out to be a good guy, and you want to go out with him later, chances are he'll still be around. If he is not a good guy, or is simply someone you aren't interested in, you've saved yourself an evening and him some money, and you've protected yourself from potential harm. Bottom line is that it isn't worth putting your life and safety at risk to not hurt a guy’s feelings or to get a date.
I came to BYU with the false idea that because a guy was a student at BYU and a return missionary, it meant he was basically perfect—worthy, righteous, and husband material. Boy was I misinformed. Don't get me wrong, there are many great guys at BYU that are worthy of your time and attention, but just because a guy has the nerve to ask you for your number (or to tell you to give it to him), that doesn't make him one of them. It's time to practice safety, girl. Don't put yourself in an unsafe situation. Have more self-respect than that. Yes, it’s flattering if someone sees you and asks for your number, but it’s more important to be safe; sometimes that means telling the cute guy, "No."
In case you're interested, here is the video:
For all of you girls who stood your ground, asked the appropriate questions, and said no—good job and congratulations. You are a great example of self-respect and you show us what it means to practice safe dating at BYU. If you're not sure how to say no, watch the example of these girls who do.
ADSENSE HERE