Lovelyish

Usually when the ladies start catcalling me while I’m at the bookstore, reading about advanced quantum electrodynamics, or when I’m doing my 10,000-pound benchpress at the gym, I ignore them.

When they start stripping in front of me, laying spread-eagled and saying “take me, Q!” I shrug and move on.

However, I draw the line when they start smackin’ my ass. No touchie my money-maker, k?

I usually ignore them and I do consider them a bit creepy.

How did a 12 year old know about her video?  That poor woman.  That kid needs to be slapped by his parents.  And the adults encouraging that need to be slapped by their wives or girlfriends.

@QuantumStorm@xanga - Lol!

I don’t get catcalled because I don’t really leave my house (and when I do, I’m usually with my fiance, so that’d just be a deathwish…), but if I did… I would probably smile politely and ignore it.  Unless it’s rude, in which case I’d put their ass on blast.  No woman should have to put up with rudeness (or men, but it appears to be more common with the men to women catcalls).

depends on my mood, sometimes I’ll call them out, sometimes I’ll play along 

In most other countries, the women are grateful and appreciative because it is flattering.  It seems only in the US that they take offense.

When I was extremely overweight I knew people did it to make fun of me. People would come up, grab me, and say, “Heeeey, baby.” Or something of the like. So no, I did not consider it a compliment. Now that I’m fit that doesn’t happen to me and people actually say nice things to me in a not-so-creepy fashion.

It is a compliment when someone walks up to me and says, “Your hair color is beautiful.”

Which yes, someone has said. ^_^

What’s “Catcalling” ? Sorry. X___X; I’ve never ran into it before. So I don’t know. o-o;  If the video was to show it , I didn’t get it. x__X; I must have horrible hearing. 

I don’t get catcalled, so I wouldn’t know. I get stared at though. Very creepy.

I take it as a compliment and move on. No one has ever been crude to me though.

Some “cat calls” i take as “compliments” like if the guy seems nice and respectful about it like “you’re really beautiful” and leaves it at that, then i’ll smile and say thanks. But if he’s disrespectful and rude “hey boo you got a fat ass” [lol] then i usually ignore them and give them a dirty look. 

I just ignore it and keep walking.

I just pretend that the creep doesn’t exist I’ve been catcalled a few times but that was when I was in high school. maybe it depends on the area. I used to live in a ghetto area. now I live in a nicer area and haven’t encountered that many rude people. they greet me “ma’am” and smile at me. I think it is because I look intimidating yet lovely, so they won’t mess with me

I actually got catcalled more as a 16 year old than I do at 21 haha. Which is a bit creepy, but I think it’s because I looked really naive and innocent then. I think I intimidate people now. When I was 16, I’d just blush and move on. I’d probably do the same now haha. 

Being beautiful can be tough. But I’m always up for the job!

I laugh and play along if it’s nothing inappropriate, but if it’s crude I’ll either glare or make a comment back.

Me no likey

I just smile or laugh or something and keep walking. Im indifferent about it, it doesn’t bother me 

@lfespock@xanga - in no way is it flattering to be whistled at by a stranger.  I would be flattered if a guy who knows me complimented me on the way I look.  But it is not ok to treat women like pieces of meat.

I just ignore it. They can look and catcall all they want as long as they don’t touch me.

Guys like that are the reason men have a bad name.

I just kinda smile at whoever’s “cat-calling” at me and just keep walking.

there is a difference between catcalling and harassment.  this video is an example of harassment. Telling someone that you are going to go home and watch a video that was an invasion of your privacy is not the same as some guy yelling, “pump that gas, girl” (and yes that is a quote).  I ignore catcalls even if I don’t like the language they are using.

i typically ignore it. if they wanna give me a compliment, there are classier ways of doing so. 

i like what Miranda did in Sex and the City where she went up tp the guy in the end and he turned out to be taken or just kidding (i forget). but he hadnt expected her to respond to him. haha. i oughta try that one day.

I usually just ignore it.

But there have been a few times when I called them out, especially when they say something in Spanish assuming I don’t understand what they’re saying because I look “white”. It’s just fun to see the look on their faces when they realize that I understood every dirty little thing they just said!

I usually ignore it. But if i’m in a mood i’ll give them a disgusted look or even flip them off.

Catcalls don’t bother me nearly as much as the insults and physical harassment I get every single day living in Spanish Harlem. I get constantly grabbed at and people try to grope me and call me all sorts of disgusting names. Yesterday, someone called me “cracker bitch” and tossed a lit cigarette butt in my hair. I have to move, but right now this is all we can afford until August. It’s making me so depressed, I don’t want to even leave my apartment.

i take it as a compliment.  i’d rather be the girl who gets catcalls than insults.   i find it a little strange that women take offense to it.  in my opinion, the average woman decides whether it’s a catcall or genuine compliment based on how hot the guy is.  and that’s just hypocritical.  either being objectified is always good or always bad.  

@QuantumStorm@xanga - It looks like the new cocky asshole demeanor you’ve taken on has served you well. Good job on ending your nice guy facade.

@Coffee_Kaioken@xanga - He was obviously kidding? I hope you are too and in some weird way that was a compliment?

I really don’t mind it but once it goes from a cat call to just following me and continuing it, it gets creepy and I tell them to back off. Sometimes if it’s more than one guy, I give them my finger. Again, normally I don’t mind it so much.

@omgroxie@xanga - In some obscure way that you mainstream sheeps are too ignorant to COMPREHEND

http://www.ihollaback.org/

apparently you should to shame them publicly so they’ll stop doing that.the biggest reason i love my car is that i no longer get them, its annoying, it bothers me, and it makes me feel like a piece of meat. i usually just flip them off or glare at them. 

I don’t find catcalling creepy, just weird, only because I don’t even know this person and they’re confident enough to say a damn thing to me. xD

It’s only creepy/insulting if they start saying inappropriate thing to me. Like for example, I had a group of men tell me they like my butt.. -_- But if it’s something about how they think I’m pretty, I’d still feel weird, but I just ignore it…because I’m awkward like that. xD

@omgroxie@xanga - He’s been like this for a while now. Just pat him on the head, encourage him and step away from his playmat and toy blocks.

@Coffee_Kaioken@xanga - Keep up the good work! Always glad to get your input! *pat pat*

How do I handle it? Smile and say thank you.

@too_pretty_to_die@xanga - I wonder if there have been any studies about this… like, if a girl gets a compliment from a guy, how her reaction varies based on the guy in question. Hmmm…

*runs to Google*

@QuantumStorm@xanga - well, i think the reality of the situation is: if Johnny Depp wanted to ogle the average woman like a piece of meat, not only would she allow it………. she’d be so flattered she’d faint.  i know i would  that man can catcall me any day.  

@QuantumStorm@xanga - yay, more demonstration of douchebaggery, let me know how it impacts the quality of your advice!

@Coffee_Kaioken@xanga - Dude whats wrong?

@too_pretty_to_die@xanga - Well, Depp is pretty bad-ass, haha. I’d still like to see if it’s the quality of the catcall, the context in which it’s done (strip club vs church, for example), or who is it that does the catcalling, but I suspect you’re probably right.

I haven’t had one since high school and I knew they were immature boys. This is the good thing about living in a small town

It’s disgusting and i never tolerate it. but i always ignore and walk away.

@chicbananas@xanga -  I thought of you when I read this post. Ughh. August will be here soon. *hugs*

Cat-calling dudes are ALWAYS FREAKING CREEPY.
Or rather.. DISGUSTING.

I mean, who actually gets cat-called at by a decent looking dude?
Ummmmmm NO, it’s always some redneck mutherfrigger with a beer belly, clothes that look like they haven’t been washed.. ever.. and stinks to high heaven.
(At least it always is with me)

And there’s only one response: FLIP ‘EM THE BIRD.
No words required, baby, no words!

The only guys I know of who make cat calls are the retard basketball playa types who call each other “dawg”.

@i_heart_tha_80s@xanga - I agree.  It is definitely not ok to treat women like pieces of meat.  Just like how anything in life is interpreted/taken, if there is a negative mindset towards catcalling, it will bother and irritate you.  If it is seen as a piropo, a paid compliment, the recipient will be appreciative and happy.

Thus, the issue is dependent upon how the recipient interprets/takes the catcall.  As others have commented, it depends on whether the caller is attractive to the recipient.  It is akin to the difference between a stalker and an attractive, persistent suitor.  If the advances are made by a tall, handsome stud, it would be flattering.  However, if the same, exact advances are made by an unattractive man, it is considered harrassment and he is now labeled a stalker.

It is your hangup and your choice on how you wish to interpret it.  If you see it as an unwelcome comment, you will naturally be upset each and every time.  If you see it as other women outside the US, the paid compliment will make your day.

Ultimately, it is all dependent on the state of mind.  Happiness is a state of mind.

Keep writing!

http://www.naturelandings.com/cat-calls.aspx

I always speak softly and carry a steel bat in my oversized purse down the streets of philadelphia

When I’m catcalled I look straight ahead and keep walking. I guess from the city when you’d get grabbed at if you acknowledged at catcall, and from middle school when I was f in hideous and people would sarcastically come on to me all the time haha. Livin the lyfe.

I don’t think a catcall is ever really a serious thing. Like, I doubt someone’s marriage began with a beautifully pitched catcall haha.

I don’t get that kind of attention often, but it depends on how it’s done. Sometimes I take it as a compliment, in which case, I just kinda grin and move on… But if the guy is being a pig, I’ll glare and sometimes flip him the bird.

I haven’t received any uncomfortable ones, if so, I know there’s hollaback.org. 

I’ve never had to worry about catcalling. =/

I just wasted 4 minutes of my life watching a shitty video about a girl who asked some guy to repeat what he said. wtf? how is that anything bold or special? it’s what anyone would do.

Yes, I consider catcalling creepy. It may not be AS creepy if done by guys my own age, but it’s still incredibly lame. On the other hand though, it definitely gives me a confidence boost. It makes me think, “I must look pretty good if someone takes the time to tell me about it!”

Because of the country I grew up in, I was raised to ignore the leering and the catcalls, because to respond to them, only makes them bolder and eggs them on. However, when I was touched (inappropriately, mind you) I slapped that little motherf*cker across the face. He was so embarassed because all his friends laughed at him. If a guy was really persistent and followed me, I would yell “shame on you” really loudly.

I never take it seriously.  I usually ignore them or make a comment back if I’m bored and it was not offensive.

I’m really really little, 5 feet and 105 pounds, so it’s not like I’m exactly frightening so when I get them I just ignore them. If they’re people I know, but I don’t like, I’ll usually acknowledge them, but it’s annoying. And just weird. I can’t imagine someone being douchebag enough to actually catcall someone, but, then again, I’m normal…

i ignore them.
or make them feel stupid.

@i_heart_tha_80s@xanga - So only a person who you’re friends with is capable of knowing if you’re physically attractive or not?  It’s also ironic considering how much girls go on about how “That guy is SO HAWT!!”

@lfespock@xanga - I can take it as a compliment if it’s not vulgar or anything, just smile and go on with my day. But I’ve heard some creepy shit from people before. One time this dude at Walmart circled back around to purposely walk by me again even though I’d walked down the makeup aisle and he clearly didn’t need anything from that area. Once, even, walking out of a store, some guys in a car driving by shouted, “You’re gonna be hot when you’re legal!” which was really funny because I’d just turned 18.  ._.

I take it as a compliment but I don’t give them any attention, otherwise they will cling on and try to ask me on a date or get my number which isn’t happening.

@BimmerPhile@xanga - Of course not.  It’s called respect.  My point is that compliments and catcalls are different.

@lfespock@xanga - I completely disagree with your logic.  So if you caught someone stealing everything in your house you would say, “Oh don’t let me interrupt you, you just keep going.  I needed a clean sweep anyways.”

I just ignore it, especially if it’s from a distance.  If I’m walking by and a man is standing there just shooting the breeze, I might give him a dirty look.

1) “hey baby, want a magic carpet ride?”: look straight ahead, walk faster.

2) “konichiwa” or “anyohng haseyo” or insert somekind of poor attempt at asian greeting because they think I don’t speak english : my response, “I speak English, but thanks” snappily…

3) and if they’re polite and mean it in a genuine way: I say “thank you” politely in response.

I usually just ignore it unless it’s particularly rude. Unfortunately I get less “Catcalling” and more guys actually asking me “Are you married?” because I just moved to a military town, and I lie and tell them I’m engaged because I moved here to live with my boyfriend, and then they say things like “Well if he doesn’t marry you in six months, I’m the next contender” and I don’t even know how to respond other than to just laugh. Awkward.

@lfespock@xanga - So you basically think that the only time people are ever labeled as a stalker is if the person wasn’t receptive to their advances, so basically the problem with rape is because the woman wasn’t receptive, not that the rapist was forcing anything on the victim? She should have just been more receptive?

Your logic is fail, and repulsive. And there’s a difference between paying a compliment “You look pretty” and whistling or saying vulgar things like someone said to me the other day – “I’LL LICK YOUR PUSSY.” That’s a catcall that’s fucking vulgar no matter who it’s coming from. 
You’re an idiot.

My college is located in the heart of Atlanta, so I have been catcalled by hobo’s, MARTA policemen, and random dudes going about their business. I usually handle it by giving them a dirty look, turning my mp3 player up, and walking in the other direction.

In other situations, if they guy politely says, “Ma’am, I just want to say you look lovely today,” I will totally say “Thank you” and go about my day. My rule is if they are rude and obnoxious, they ain’t worth your time, but if they are polite and giving an actual compliment, there is no reason to be rude.

@thepsychoticraccoon@xanga - Ditto. Getting stared at is more unbearable than having someone just come out and vocalize it, I think. It’s like, “Oh, man, what are they thinking?” Like, a stalker stares. A normal guy catcalls.

@lfespock@xanga - what the heck are you talking about… it’s not a matter of what country or what culture, it’s a matter of men and women. Men just do it and expect women to be flattered, when we just think it’s just stupid and rude. Get over yourselves, please. 

When I was younger I found it very scary to have all these cat calls from older men.  It never gave me a confidence boost it just lowered my self-esteem when I was young.  I remember one of those men had his daughter right beside him and whistled at my friends and I.  Disgusting.  Now I learned to ignore them, but if they’re persistent I’ll let them know I’m not one to mess with.  If you act scared or intimidated, sometimes they’ll harass you more.  This happened when my two friends and I were walking and these guys in a car were harassing us and following us.  When we decided to run and hide they chased us.  We were really young.  But now if some men are persistently harassing me, I will look them straight in the eyes and shake my head.  Last time I had to do that, it shut them all up very quickly.

I wish I could actually HEAR what she’s saying in that video. I can’t even hear the kid mention her video.

@lfespock@xanga - I live in the U.S. and I don’t take offense to it at all, but I may be in the minority. I think it’s kind of flattering, because I don’t think I’ll look this way forever, so I really appreciate it. Some day, when no one cat calls to me, I’m going to be pretty bummed.

I find that catcalls are always rude and given by jerks.  Sometimes it can be hysterical and I’ll laugh.  But usually I ignore it.  Now, politely given compliments… I’ll take those and say “thank you”. 

@lfespock@xanga - I don’t know what it’s like in other countries, but in America there is a clear distinction between when a man approaches a woman an compliments her looks or dress in a polite way and when he does it in an obscene, condescending or personal space invading way. 

I get rude cat calls and I get men who give me polite compliments. To the sooner, I really don’t like being put on the spot in such a way. It’s extremely uncomfortable. And some of the things they say are absolutely abhorrent. But if a man approaches me nicely and give me a compliment, or even in passing I will oblige him with a smile and a thank you. It’s all in the approach, that the true intention can obviously be seen. But more often than not it’s not that nice man, it’s the nasty, ugly, greasy ones who have to go out of their way to make women feel as horrible about themselves as they clearly do.

Well, considering the only people who have tried to rape me/grab me without consent have been mexican men, and the only people around me who cat call are mexicans.. I am mean as fuck to them. I will say offensive shit and one time it got to the point where I threw a good sized rock and hit the guy in the face. I dont like that shit. Get the fuck away from me with that shit.

@j_e_n@xanga - That’s very forward thinking and open minded!  It’s wonderful you perceive it in a positive light, and as such, are that much happier throughout the day.  As I see my friends grow, from their 20s to their 30s and 40s, they begin to notice that they no longer turn men’s heads, catch attention, or receive any catcalls.  At this point in their life, they begin to appreciate the attention.  We begin to be grateful when the things we take for granted are no longer there.  You seem to have a high EQ level =)

It is unfortunate several other commenters have resorted to name calling and deconstructive attacks of defamation, rather than focusing on the issue at hand, making posits with supporting statements, and having a discussion held with mutual respect.  I do my best to give people the benefit of the doubt and assume we are all mature adults who can hold a discussion of opposing views without lowering to slander or name calling.  Not everyone sees eye to eye on everything, and from this, we can agree to disagree.  I keep my expectations low, but after your response, I am hopeful =)

Thanks for sharing!

If cat called, I smile and wave. I’ve never heard anything gross (like sexual or profanity), sooooo it’s just compliments, really.

Thankfully I’ve never been catcalled.  I like wearing baggy clothes, so I’m sure that has something to do with it!!

I ignore them and pretend I didn’t hear them. I wish I could stand up for myself but for some reason I can’t. One time, however, someone tried to grab my chest, and I instinctively elbowed him. So if they go so far as to try and touch me, I might do something. 

@HeLLo_Bianca@xanga - I really can’t wait :\ It has to get better, right? *hugs*

@lfespock@xanga - I agree that attractiveness does make an impact on a woman’s reaction to being approached. However, cat-calling is different, and I dislike the implication that we are overreacting because other countries deal with it fine. I think the attitude of men is different here. I think, due to our highly self-absorbed culture, cat-callers tend to be much more vocal and it has gotten worse. So, perhaps we react “poorly” because it’s tougher here to just walk down the street, in that aspect. I don’t care how attractive the person is. I do not appreciate getting constantly groped and bombarded with disgusting remarks. There is a big difference between being complimentary and cat-calling. I rarely get compliments; I get “Hey baby, let me shove my face in your pussy”. This is fucking NYC. You don’t get compliments here as a woman, you get fucking harassed. 

Also, the majority of verbal abuse that women suffer here makes it hard for them to react well to being complimented. It sucks for the genuine guys, but they’re one occurrence in a week of twenty disgusting encounters a day. It gets exhausting to even deal with the nice guys. We just want to be left alone.

I give them the evil eye.

@deemure@xanga - isn’t that fun to give them that

Oh sometimes I glare at them too!

I generally ignore them, and keep on walking. And I sometimes smile (but that’s just cause I am a happy person) but I ignore them completely.

I remember getting hit on or catcalling when I was in middle school (kinda of awkward and scared the heck out of me), but that’s how I learned to ignore them,….)

that video took too long to get to the actual point you were making.  Pretty rude though, I didn’t even realize her story until I read the article you linked but that kid’s comment was brutal.  At least she had the she-balls to say something.

I had a guy tell me he wanted to “settle down” with me as I was walking to work…I had known him for oh, 2 seconds. :\ 

If I get honked at or whatever I just ignore it…if they talk to me I’m usually too polite to ignore them but I try to get away asap with as little confrontation as possible.

Whistling / cat calling is indeed more common outside of America AND more acceptable. It is often seen as a compliment, although sometimes annoying.

I take whistling as a compliment and generally just smile and continue on. I do not give eye contact, but that’s from growing up in a different culture (where eye contact is ‘suggestive’). A guy saying something towards me might get a smile if I’m genuinely appreciative. If it’s crude, rude, disgusting, etc. then I ignore it and continue on my way. If it continues and become harassment, I get very defensive and in-their-face.

I have light blonde hair and light blue eyes. I live in a Spanish community (Mexico lol). It comes with the territory if you stick out. I take whistling and most cat calling as a compliment and don’t find it annoying, but I’m also not used to the American culture of “everyone is a creeper and/or out to rape you”.

 sometimes i will just smile and say thanks. 

Interestingly enough, some of the complaints my friends received were catcalls from a group, not from a person by himself.