It’s a common sight near construction sites across the nation: a strong, self-assured woman strides past a group of workers, only to be met with an array of whistles, catcalls, and unsolicited remarks about her appearance. In that moment, she faces a quick decision on how to react. Should she flip them off and tell them where to go? Should she toss her hair and saunter away, letting them admire her as she walks off? Or maybe, just maybe, she should approach one of them and flirt back with something utterly ridiculous to see how they respond. My guess is that if she called their bluff, those catcalling guys would suddenly lose their bravado, right?
Honestly, I’ve experienced my fair share of catcalling, and I’ll admit, I’m baffled by it. What’s the point of shouting compliments at someone you don’t even know? I tend to surround myself with men who don’t behave like that, so I often wonder what these guys expect to achieve with their immature attempts at getting attention. Do they really think that when I hear their crude whistles, I’ll suddenly be overcome with desire and rush over to them? Because that’s not happening.
I am confident in myself, and I certainly don’t need validation from some random guy on the street who thinks my legs look “fine.” I know they look good—thank you very much! I’ve put in countless hours at the gym to get them there.
When a man approaches me with catcalls, my instinct is to remind him that I can easily stand my ground and defend myself if he continues. But then again, that wouldn’t be very polite, would it?
Just recently, while walking through downtown with my daughter, I was appalled by the behavior of several men who couldn’t resist winking or making lewd comments about my appearance. One gentleman in a café even offered to “buy me more than just coffee.” I highly doubt he meant a pastry treat! When I firmly told him to back off, he insisted, “I was just trying to be nice, babe.” At that moment, I found myself channeling my inner diva, responding in a way he certainly didn’t anticipate.
Everywhere we go, women are bombarded with unsolicited comments about their looks. Whether it’s a whistle for a little skin showing or a derogatory remark aimed at a mother, women are constantly objectified. It’s unacceptable, and if any men are reading this: Catcalling is not the way to win us over. We don’t appreciate it, so please stop.
One of my biggest pet peeves is when I’m out for a run. I’m usually focused, listening to music, and trying to avoid careless drivers. When a man honks or gestures inappropriately, it distracts me and suddenly makes the run feel unsafe. Instead of enjoying my workout, I’m left feeling startled and off my game.
So, guys, while it’s clear that some find female runners’ athletic wear appealing, understand that honking at us doesn’t help. It makes us feel like we might be in danger, not desired. And trust me, when I give you the finger as you speed away, it’s a definite no, not an invitation.
One day, I might just decide to confront a catcaller directly. When that moment comes, I’ll lean in and cheekily say, “You know what really excites me? The idea of you helping with household chores. Let’s get to it, hot shot!”
That’s my twist on flirting, guys.
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In summary, catcalling is outdated, disrespectful, and does nothing to charm women. It’s time to recognize that unsolicited advances are unwelcome. Instead of objectifying women, let’s focus on treating each other with respect and dignity.