Catcalling is neither charming nor appealing, so let’s cut it out.
It’s a scene many have witnessed near construction sites nationwide: a confident woman strolls by a group of workers, only to be met with a barrage of whistles, catcalls, and comments on her looks. In that moment, she faces a quick choice in how to react. Should she give them a rude gesture and walk away? Should she flip her hair and strut off, letting them enjoy the view? Or maybe she should confront her admirer directly with a cheeky line, like, “Hey there, big guy, up for some fun?” My guess is that if she did, he’d likely backtrack faster than you can say “awkward.”
I’ve encountered my share of catcalling, and honestly, I find it perplexing. I’ve never understood why a man would feel the need to shout compliments at someone he doesn’t know. Perhaps it’s because I don’t associate with guys who behave like that, but I can’t help but wonder what they hope to achieve. Do they really think that a whistle will ignite some kind of passion in me? Because, spoiler alert: it won’t.
I’m quite confident, and I certainly don’t need a random man’s validation on the street. I know how hard I’ve worked for my strong legs, thank you very much. After countless hours in spin class, I don’t need a compliment from someone who thinks his opinion means anything to me.
Usually, when a man tries to attract my attention, I’m tempted to remind him that I can defend myself if he keeps up that nonsense. But, of course, that wouldn’t be very polite, would it?
During a recent walk in a busy city with my daughter, I was horrified to witness several men leering, winking, or calling out about my appearance. One gentleman in a coffee shop even suggested he could “offer me more than just a cup of coffee, if you catch my drift.” I can only assume he wasn’t referring to a sweet treat. When I told him to back off, he persisted with, “I was just trying to be nice, sweetheart,” which made me channel my inner Janet Jackson. I was indeed fierce, but not in the way he had anticipated.
Women are constantly bombarded with comments about their bodies. Whether it’s a lewd whistle or an uncalled-for remark about their appearance, we endure objectification daily. Guys, if you’re reading this, let me clarify: catcalling is NOT the way to win a woman over. We don’t appreciate it, so just stop, okay?
One of my least favorite moments is when I’m out for a run. I’m typically focused, listening to music, and dodging drivers who seem to have a vendetta against runners. When a stranger honks and gestures inappropriately, it throws me off balance and turns my run into a potential hazard. I end up stopping, bewildered, praying I don’t get hit by a car as I try to regain my focus.
So, gentlemen, while I can appreciate that a female runner may attract your gaze, understand that your honking only distracts us and can lead to dangerous situations. When I respond with a gesture as you drive away, it’s definitely not an invitation for anything more.
One day, I might just call out a catcaller on his bluff. And when that moment comes, I’ll lean in and whisper, “You know what really gets me excited? The thought of you helping me with household chores.” Now that’s my kind of enticing conversation.
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In summary, catcalling is unwelcome and does nothing to foster attraction. It’s time for men to reconsider how they express their appreciation for women in public spaces, recognizing that respect is far more attractive than a whistle or a crude comment.