Wednesday, 06 July 2011
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"Hey Baby!": How to Handle the Summertime Catcall
Ruth Orkin's iconic 1951 photograph, "American Girl in Italy."Nothing ruins a stroll around the city or the morning commute like catcalling. And with temperatures nipping at the triple digits, the jeers from the other gender will only get worse.
You’re walking down Fifth Avenue in your tank and teensy jean shorts, blessing any little hint of a breeze that might come your way because, seriously, it’s hotter than Satan’s sauna outside, and suddenly, there it is: “Hey baby! That ass is looking good to-day!”
You don’t even have to be dressed sexily for this to happen. (I wear headbands that look like antlers, for God’s sake, and construction workers still “sing my praises,” to put it euphemistically.) But regardless of whether your wardrobe is determined by the singular desire to avoid heatstroke, this situation can be mortifying and even upsetting.
But aside from rocking out to "Hey Baby," the anti-catcalling battle cry by Sassy’s brilliant in-house band Chia Pet (oh Sassy Mag—RIP, mon amour), what can you do to deal with catcalling? Slinking away doesn’t offer you too much satisfaction, and dressing to avoid it, especially in this heat, just doesn’t seem right.
So my suggestion? Embrace it. Last autumn, I was going for a run, clad in tiny shorts and a tank, when some guy yelled, “Hey girl! I see you running! You are looking good!” I don’t know what seized me, but without missing a beat, I turned around and yelled, “Yeah, I do!” And suddenly, I saw the whole thing in a new light: catcallers embarrass us because they objectify us out of nowhere and have all the power in the exchange. By responding, I’d not only gotten the last word, but I wasn’t just some blonde thing in little shorts—I’d reminded them that I’m a speaking, thinking human.
I’ve since made responding a habit, throwing back everything from “That’s right! I rule!” to a double thumbs-up. Once in a while, if my mood is bad or their taunt is just too lewd, I’ll respond with a coarse expletive. The key for me is simply to respond—and to never let them have the last word and thus the upper hand.
What’s your strategy in the face of catcalls? Any other repliers out there, or do you prefer simply to ignore it?
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About the Author
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- From: RachelT
- Name: RachelT
- Location: New York City, New York, United States
- About Me: Rachel, a bon vivant and bateau-stripe shirt enthusiast who was educated at an Ivy League institution and has no children, is originally from Delaware. She has an infamous and extensive shoe collection, and regularly comes up in conversation among her parents.
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Comments (56)
I try to meet their eyes and smile, sometimes I reply it depends on the situation. I often wonder what goes through the mind of a man who will shout at a strange woman in public.
My middle finger does all the talking for me.
I've been doing the embrace thing only for the non creepy one's. I go to college in Atlanta, and that city is full of horny hobo's. My ex boyfriend hated the fact that I did embrace some of the cat calls, but Whatever. Hell, I do look good in tiny shorts and a tank top!
Yeah, that's nice and all, but if I gave them shit for it in the part of Harlem I live in, I would definitely get the last word because they'd shoot me in the face after raping me. You want to survive where I live, you take it like a bitch and walk swiftly.
You know what embracing it in Harlem does? Exactly what @chicbananas@xanga said. You encourage it and they will grab your arm and tell the judge you wanted it.
That approach may work in in a fancy Wheaton cul de sac, but not in this area.
I deal with catcallers as well, and I'm covered up. One guy called to me today, said something like "Hey girl, where you going?" I always glance over just to make sure it's not someone I know, but usually ignore them. @heart_leigh@xanga - I like this idea, too bad I'm usually too chicken to do that.
Oh I get it all the time.....
it makes me mad. Then I'm like, "yeah I do look hot so why am i getting so mad for?"
the best one I got:
a guy walking towards me looks at me and says "you're so beautiful... can i get my picture taken with you?"
haha
i just stared and did nothing but walk away weirrdd
It happens to me from time to time. Sometimes, I give them a really creepy stare that scares them off, but most of the time, as I hear it, I walk by and pretend as if they don't exist. I don't even so much glance at them. I just walk by with my head fixed straight like nothing happened. I don't give them any satisfaction of a response and I feel better not knowing what they look like.
I was in Savannah Georgia and i was walking along the steet by the river when this mini cruise chip was passing by and out of know where I here "hey you, hey goldy locks, youuu looking good!" and other things like that, it was a group of men calling me goldy locks. they were much older., and me being only 16 replyed " I know I do baby, but maybe you should stick to girls your own age". needless to say it shut them up, and to my surprise my mom thought it was hilarious.
I'm one of those people who get called out by guys, or stalked in random places. no joke.
Who cares what some random dude on the sidewalk says?
Ignore that shit and keep walking.
If you live in a bad area, adjust your pepper spray, ignore that shit and keep walking.
@chicbananas@xanga - You sound like my fiance. He used to live in Harlem.
It really does depend on where you live... you have to know the types of people around you, or you're basically being ignorant, which can land you in a world of trouble.
I know it was in the 50's, but I honestly love her sandals.
it depends on the situation . at work sometimes i call them out on it and other times i just let it go . but hey, it's whatever . what someone hollers at me does not determine my self worth .
A few weeks ago, after a 14 hour shift, I was tired and just sitting at a double-lane left turn (if that made sense), with my windows down. I had just passed an SUV that was going like 10 under. They actually pulled up next to me in the turn lane to the right of my car and started saying "hey girl" "hey mami" etc. I was already listening to music, so I looked over with a smirk, turned up Flux Pavilions "Got to Know" right as the chorus dropped, and smoked their asses when the light turned green.
i always take catcalls as a compliment. i'm not too much of a feminist to appreciate being found physically attractive.
@heart_leigh@xanga - same here
they are usually very hideous and repulsive and give me the creeps, so I ignore them. I don't think it is a compliment at all when they catcall. if he was being courteous and just nicely said, "you look gorgeous today!" or something along those lines, then I might even look at them and smile, but their tactic to get my attention is rude and unappealing.
Ha, that's what I do.
I ignore it. Not worth my time.
hahahha i ignore them, or if they become persistant and annoying i just say "i'm 15" and they go away ahhaha
I just ignore it.
Guy's who catcall have an IQ under 80. They are dumb, dumb, oh and did I mention dumb. Some guys do it for a thrill (look how socially rebellious I am), some do it because they are perv''s, and still others do it because they have failed to find an attractive girl so they are reduced to shouting things in a petty attempt to get revenge by embarrassing every attractive girl they see. Or they are a rapist looking for an excuse.
What is terrible is how they take away the power of response with implicit threats. If you can shout back, I would suggest doing so, but only if the situation calls for it. Think about it first. Your pride is not worth putting your safety on the line. Just remember the fucker will get no where in his life and probably hates himself. You automatically win.
I just shoot them this face: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wRXa971Xw0
I ignore them. They are catcalling for the attention. If you respond to them, or even look at them, it gets them off even more. I like the idea of saying "Yeah, I do look good!", but you don't need to say it to them. Say it to yourself.
@ask_ashleyyy@xanga - LOLOL thank you for that!!!