Comments on: Catcalling – Creepy Or A Compliment?

By: ken

ken — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:42:14 +0000

would you say that the catcall is designed to be overheard by people OTHER THAN the caller and the callee? ie, the catcall has an audience?

By: fujitsumaniac

fujitsumaniac — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 02:37:37 +0000

I've actually never catcalled a girl (or anyone for that matter). And I've never been cockcalled either, haha. I have always thought that it was a douchey thing to do, and only jackasses would do it. I could only imagine how it would feel to be catcalled/harassed all alone on a street…if I were a girl that is. IF I were a girl, and if some random car pulled up harassing me, I would probably lead him on (only if he was alone) and when he got out of the car, give him a faceload of pepper spray and kick him in the balls. Then laugh and run like hell. Just my opinion…

By: ScienceGeek

ScienceGeek — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 04:08:52 +0000

All three are catcalls, in my book.
My definition is – if you're yelling it from a distance, and/or it could apply to anything vaguely female, it's a cat call.

If you're saying it directly to the woman, and it's specific to her, it's a compliment.

By: skyddsdrake

skyddsdrake — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:40:03 +0000

Although I can see how differences might be drawn between these two things, to many (primarily women) there is very little difference. The reason being? Both things involve the masculine tendency to objectify women. I by no means want to indicate that all men objectify women, because that is simply untrue. In a society, however, where a woman simply cannot know the difference between the men who do and do not do this, there is no difference. There are no signs or guides to let potential victims know, and so EVERY situation in which someone makes an unsought advance must be viewed as potentially dangerous as a matter of protecting oneself. It can be a very terrifying way to live, always wondering who might be a danger… If that makes any sense?

On the other hand, a straight up compliment offered while displaying appropriate body language (allowing personal space, not yelling, not leering, etc.) can be an amazing ego boost. A sincere compliment is quite different from catcalling.

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:20:17 +0000

When I was 12 or 13, I had a car full of I'm guessing Mexicans ( I was in northern part of southern California) yell at me: "Hey, baby, want a ride?" Now, at 12/13 I was already 5'8" and wearing a C-cup bra. Most people thought I was old enough to vote. Not the most comfortable experience for a junior high kid!

By: Mina

Mina — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:11:23 +0000

Ken,

I think there is a difference between telling someone they look nice and catcalling. I would feel differently about a man coming up to me and telling me "You are very attractive" and one (or a group of them) yelling at me from whatever vantage point they have "Come over here baby, you have a great ass. I'd like to get me some of that!" One boost your ego, the other feels invasive and fairly threatening. It's all about the presentation.

By: ken

ken — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:24:12 +0000

i see a bit of confusion stemming from a definition of terms.

we have to agree on what constitutes catcalling… is it the wolf whistle, the "hey baby" as you walk by the construction site? is it yelling "suck my dick bitch" as you drive by?

if we don't have consistent nomenclature then we are going to have circuitous arguments.

By: ken

ken — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:20:10 +0000

don't forget, we met in milton class.

By: ken

ken — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:17:25 +0000

your dad should have pressed charges for battery.

By: Joanna

Joanna — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:08:51 +0000

Super creepy! The chances of pulling off a cute, flirty catcall are slim to none. And chances are catcalling guys are NOT looking for cute or flirty. I haven’t had many experiences with catcallers being a non-city gal, but one experience makes me cross the street if I ever hear one. I was wandering in Providence after a night of dancing with a group of my then 20 yr. old friends, looking for our parked car. A dude in a big pickup passed, whistling. He circled around, calling out to a friend who, in a drunken stupor, smiled and answered back, looking up at the truck. He then threw a handful of junk into her face. All of us were scarred for life. Lesson learned.