To anyone who has ever catcalled someone, my biggest question to you is simply, why? Why do you do it? Do you honestly believe that it is seen as attractive? As wanted attention? Why do you find it that to be a way of passing on a compliment?

If anyone can give me a good explanation of any of this, please, enlighten me. Because all I’ve ever gotten from an experience like that is fear and the want to disappear. And I know for a fact I’m not alone.

It truly makes me wonder if anyone who has ever catcalled realizes how uncomfortable it makes an individual feel and the fear it invokes. How does one respond to that? Honestly, how? If you thank a catcaller, you’re basically making them think what they did was okay. If you say nothing, said catcaller may become angry at you for ignoring their “compliment.” And if you say how you really feel, you’re hoping to God you can get by without anything going horribly wrong. Sometimes the "compliment" given is via a wolf whistle or some other dog like noise, and those can be some of the worst. If you don't acknowledge the whistle, the person could start to shout at you vainly to grab your attention which can start to escalate things.

I know too many individuals who have experienced this. I’ve had a friend make mention of several accounts of instances on her Snapchat story. It's heartbreaking to hear someone say that they don't want to wear something because a stranger made them feel gross by making an inappropriate comment to them. Another friend has told me stories of being yelled at by middle schoolers. FREAKING. MIDDLE. SCHOOLERS. When she tried to tell them off it simply egged them on even more. And even the instants where someone is not verbally being commented on, but rather the dreaded stare as you walk by. It’s like the feeling of a burning sensation that you can’t make end because no matter how much you want to shield yourself from the pin pricking gaze, you can’t.

I am honestly terrified for any young child I know and care for deeply. I don’t want them to feel the inner terror when walking down the street and all of a sudden, unwanted attention comes their way. I don’t want them to think catcalling is okay.

So please. Catcallers. Just do us all one favor, and ask yourselves, why? Why do you think this is okay? Who taught you this was “acceptable”?

Rethink. Reevaluate. Relearn to be a human.

Sincerely,

Sick and Tired of It