Summer is here! It's the season for crop tops, short shorts, and summer dresses...along with perverts and creepers who think it's OK to catcall instead of communicating compliments. Then again, we've created a society where it's pretty much OK to do just that while at the same time, not creating a voice to tell those "catcallers" that it is extremely uncomfortable to be catcalled.
Catcalling is to whistle, shout or comment in a sexual nature to a woman passing by. So what's the issue? It's a good thing, right? No! Absolutely not! It is in no way a compliment. Why? Catcalling takes away the factor that the woman getting catcalled isn't human but a piece of meat — a sexualized object designated for one thing because she has dressed in a very pleasing manner to the eye, among other things. A woman suddenly becomes self-conscious, and she begins wondering whether her attire is too skimpy, her skirt is too short, her shorts too tight, etc.
Guys, seriously, though. What happened to communicating with someone? I don't mean communicating by texting or calling. I mean communication as in, actually politely walking up to the woman(en) you want to compliment, and saying, "Excuse me, miss? I think you look very lovely today." Quite honestly, politeness goes a long way and in some cases, your compliment is bound to receive a smile from the woman. You just made her day, right there. Please don't make the excuse saying, "Oh, they're just gonna say we're thirsty." No. That is in no way an excuse. That just means you're complimenting the wrong females or maybe, the right females who don't know how to properly respond, or even, you literally scared them. Don't take that into an offense. I'm not paying attention.
I can attest to this because like many other women that live here in New York City as well as other places, I've undergone the same type of treatment. Literally, I can't even walk outside in public in men's sweatpants, a baggy T-shirt and some type of bun style for my hair without getting whistled or stared at. It's unnerving to get this sort of attention, especially because it's unwanted; however, if approached in a proper manner, then, why not? It's only fair to respond in kind with politeness and courtesy. Albeit, other women might have a different reaction to such an event but I can say for sure that having someone politely walk up or tap your shoulder to compliment you is 10 times better than being catcalled and having to recheck your clothes just to make sure nothing is sticking out or showing improperly.
A side note for the gentlemen out there, chivalry isn't dead. At least, I believe it isn't, and I don't think any fine gentlemen out there should allow for it to die out anyway. Why? Because in a world full of f**ckboys and pricks, men, actual men are needed.
Part 2 will be next week!
