Catcalls

Contributor: eri86 eri86
I go into the city once a week for school, and I always stop to get dinner before my class.

Both this week, and last week, while walking from dinner to my building, I've been cat called at by the same two girls, who were camped out on the same stoop of a empty store front.

Both times, I simply ignored them and kept walking. When I told some classmates what happened, they said I should just take the compliment.

Doens't matter if it comes from guys or girls, I find being catcalled at, rude, objectifying and cheap. So no, I don't consider it a compliment.

I can't be the only one who feels this way.
05/16/2013
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Contributor: snowminx snowminx
Yeah I think it's weird and pretty rude and unnecessary. If you think someone is attractive just say it to their face but don't make a butt of yourself and try to get attention to yourself by making calls. If you don't like it I'd just go up to them and ask them nicely to stop.
05/16/2013
Contributor: Chilipepper Chilipepper
I get only sarcastic ones, so it's all rude to me.
05/16/2013
Contributor: K101 K101
Quote:
Originally posted by eri86
I go into the city once a week for school, and I always stop to get dinner before my class.

Both this week, and last week, while walking from dinner to my building, I've been cat called at by the same two girls, who were camped out on the ... more
I made a forum post talking a little bit about this not too long ago. It's really nice to know I'm not the only one who is annoyed by it! I'm really glad you shared your story. Your friends told you to take it as a compliment, but you didn't feel very complimented or flattered when it happened, right? Because what kind of compliment is that? It's not a compliment at all. To me, when someone catcalls at me, the message I get from them is "I basically own your body and can do as I please. You are nothing more than a sexual object that dressed this morning with me in mind. You are an object to please me. Job well-done."

Seriously. This is exactly what I think when someone cat calls me. You don't have to take that as a compliment just because others feel complimented. I personally feel more scared than anything else, or pissed off. It's not cute. It also gives the impression that the catcaller cannot control themselves or that they have such strong urges ... I know exactly how you feel & there isn't anything wrong with you for feeling differently than others about this. It's natural to feel fear or upset when someone does it.

A compliment is when someone makes a freaking effort to say something positive about you. A compliment is not a catcall. A compliment would be if they actually work up the courage to say something kind and respectful to you. Not a noise. That's what animals do, not people. I don't know why people do this.

I too ignore catcallers or either I'll return a very unapproving look, in hopes they'll see that their "compliment" was not at all a compliment, but an offensive, scary gesture. I hope that people will see that it's not the appropriate way to go about something & I also want to just say "hello you bastard! I do not need your approval!" Unfortunately, how dare us actually do more than cast them an un-approving glance or else we have to worry about them taking things further. Not that this is going to happen, but it does and can & we fear these things for a reason -- because we *have* to. Because it happens.

Anyways, I could go on and on and on about this, but I will spare you. Lol. I hope you don't feel like you should have to take this kind of crap and pretend to like it when you don't.

I find it rude too. The only time I think catcalling is okay is when a close friend or family member does it just joking or when my partner does it.
05/16/2013
Contributor: Pixel Pixel
I hate catcalls. They make me feel gross and extremely angry.

I read a really good article about this earlier today. I'll quote a bit that I really liked, and leave you the link.

"A catcall is entirely about reminding you that you are not yours. The purity myth is entirely about reminding you that you are not yours. The fetishization of female purity in a world where catcalls are an acceptable form of communication telegraphs one thing very clearly:

“Women, stop sexualizing yourselves—that’s our job, and you’re taking all the fun out of it.”

The sexualization of women is only appealing if it’s nonconsensual. Otherwise it’s “sluttiness,” and sluttiness is agency and agency is threatening."

- “Female ‘Purity’ is Bullshit”, by Lindy West (link at jezebel.com)
05/17/2013
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
Eri, I feel the same way when I get catcalled. It's rude, disgusting and is sexual harassment in my book. I also agree with Pixel, it feels gross and makes me angry.

You are not alone Eri!
05/17/2013
Contributor: eri86 eri86
Quote:
Originally posted by Pixel
I hate catcalls. They make me feel gross and extremely angry.

I read a really good article about this earlier today. I'll quote a bit that I really liked, and leave you the link.

"A catcall is entirely about reminding you ... more
I find Lindy's point of view very extreme...
05/17/2013