It’s a scene many are familiar with: a confident woman strides past a group of construction workers, only to be met with a barrage of whistles and comments about her looks. In that moment, she faces a choice: should she give them the finger, flaunt her hair, or walk over and playfully tease? The reality is, if she were to actually engage, those men would likely freeze in their tracks.
I don’t want to brag, but I’ve faced my share of catcalling, and I genuinely struggle to understand it. What drives a man to shout compliments at a woman he doesn’t know? Perhaps it’s because I don’t associate with men who feel the need to hoot like animals when a woman walks by. But I often contemplate what they hope to achieve with such juvenile behavior. Do they genuinely believe that I will suddenly feel attracted and rush toward them, ready to act on their advances?
Absolutely not.
I possess a strong sense of self-worth, and I don’t require validation from a random guy on the street who thinks my legs look “fine.” I’m well aware of my hard-earned fitness; after countless hours in spin class, I know what I’ve accomplished.
When a man tries to grab my attention, my instinct is often to remind him that I won’t hesitate to stand up for myself if he continues his inappropriate behavior. But then again, that wouldn’t appear very ladylike, would it?
Recently, while walking in New York City with my 9-year-old daughter, I was disgusted to witness men leering, winking, and making crude comments about my appearance. One man in a coffee shop went as far as to suggest he could offer me “more than just a cup of coffee.” When I firmly told him to back off, he replied, “I was just trying to be nice, baby,” clearly misunderstanding my intent. I quickly put him in his place, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of disappointment in how he approached me in front of my child.
Women everywhere are inundated with unsolicited remarks about their bodies. Whether it’s a whistle aimed at a woman showing some cleavage or a derogatory comment about a mother’s figure, we are constantly subjected to objectification. It’s unacceptable. And to the men reading this: catcalling is the least effective way to win a woman’s affection. We simply don’t appreciate it, so please stop.
One of my least favorite scenarios occurs while I’m out for a run. In my own world, focused on the rhythm of my music and avoiding reckless drivers, a random guy honking his horn can throw me off completely. Instead of feeling flattered, I’m left startled, often feeling endangered, all because of a misguided attempt to express attraction.
So, men, while I can acknowledge that you may find a runner’s physique appealing, please realize that honking and lewd gestures only serve to make us feel unsafe. When I give you a dismissive gesture as you drive away, it’s definitely not an invitation.
Someday, I might just call a catcaller’s bluff. I can envision myself getting close and whispering something unexpected like, “You know what really excites me? The thought of you doing my household chores. Let’s make that happen, hotshot.” That, gentlemen, is my version of being suggestive.
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In summary, catcalling is not only unflattering but also a display of disrespect that women should not have to endure. It’s time for this behavior to cease, allowing everyone to feel safe and respected in public spaces.