So a few months ago...
I was walking across the street going back to my dorm, and this car pulled up to the crosswalk (It’s important to note at this stage of the story that I went to a private women’s college and that we were more than accustomed to lewd cat-calls and whistles).
So, anyway… I’m walking across the street and this car pulls up with four guys in it.
And the windows roll down…
… and the cat-calls begin…
“You look lovely this evening, Miss.”
“That’s a nice jacket!”
“I hope you’re having a great day!”
…
Needless to say I was taken aback. I stopped, and stared at them for a second before saying,
“Uh… Thanks!”
Two guys leaned out of the back windows and the one on the right continued talking,
“You want to see something awesome?”
At this point I’m really worried that one of them is going to pull out their dick and ruin this anomaly of polite cat-calling that I’d just discovered. I stood still, waiting for something awful to happen…
… and then the guy pulled out a lightsaber.
A lightsaber.
He pulled out a lightsaber.
“Isn’t it cool? I just got it!”
I stood there stammering before finally getting out something like,
“Yeah, man, that’s awesome!”
And the guy with the lightsaber said,
“You’re cool. We should hang out some time.”
“Sure, guy. Just not right now, I’ve got to get some sleep it’s like 3 in the morning.”
“Sweet. See you later.”
And then they drove off.
Without screeching their tires, blasting music, or speeding.
Hitting on people, you’re doing it right, guys.
No, It's not flattering. Stop doing it.
I was doing a good bit of walking today, mostly to the bank, to get lunch, then back. On my way back home, I was meandering over a crosswalk when some truck goes by and I get a honk and some guy screaming “Wooo, yea!” out of the window at me. This is one of my biggest pet peeves. Back when I could actually drive I never really considered how awful this really is, but now that I walk everywhere (to school, to run errands, to the mall, etc) it happens a lot.
“But you should feel flattered, it means people find you attractive.”
No, no it really doesn’t. What it makes me feel like is a piece of meat when all I’m doing is trying to travel to my destination just like anyone else. Just because my means of transport involves walking instead of taking a huge chunk of metal around, does not mean I’m there as a piece of ass for you to scream at like a fucking idiot. I really hate it when this happens to me. I go from having a nice walk to suddenly feeling awkward, out of place, and wishing I were just home already. It makes me feel dirty. And not even in a good way, but in a scrub-myself-until-I-feel-clean-again kinda way. not just that, but I usually have long ways to walk. How do I know that as a lone woman walking by myself without any real means of defending myself, Mr. Cat Call isn’t going to try and follow me home or worse.
If you want me to be flattered because you find me attractive, maybe try stopping and having a fucking conversation with me instead of giving some half assed cat call out of a window.
I am so upset right now over this.
Street harassment
Today I was out walking my dog, wearing a outfit I felt cute and comfortable in (high waisted shorts, a button down shirt and my oxfords) when some guy had the nerve to yell out “fucking slut” at me when I walked by. Did I mention I’m a FOURTEEN year old girl? As a feminist I wanted to turn around and flip that guy off but as a young vulnerable girl I was too afraid for what his reaction to that could be. So I just ignored him and went on with my head high, though my self esteem was a bit down. About five minutes later a guy driving by yells “bitch!” at me. By now I’m frightened, uncomfortable and tears are welling up in my eyes. What could I have possibly done to deserved to be treated like a object, like insults thrown at me won’t affect me because god forbid I have feelings. I’m trying to enjoy a nice walk and now my day feels ruined by some assholes. What gives them the right to degrad women in such a way ? No, your cat calls are not taken as compliments. They are infuriating, rude, and degrading. No woman should have to put with this on a daily basis.
My sister and I were walking into the mall this evening and we passed a large group of teenagers. A few guys were blatantly staring at us and one guy (who was probably 16-18, but looked much older) said “I like that ass!” He said it about 2 more times after that. We both kind of ignored it, but I said pretty loudly to my sister “Are you fucking kidding me?” and I flipped the guy off but I doubt he saw me. I don’t care how old you are, learn how to fucking respect a woman. He’s obviously old enough to know better and know that I won’t appreciate that. I hate when young guys (and even some older ones) think they’re entitled to loudly express their opinions about my appearance. What do you think is going to come from that? Am I supposed to stop and thank him and be flattered? Fuck no. He’s lucky I didn’t kick him in the nuts. When will young men start being taught respect?
