From the time I was 14, I have experienced more than my fair share of suggestive looks and catcalls from grown men, and teenage boys alike. I have been made to feel, by many men in my life, to feel as though I am nothing more than a piece of meat. Unfortunately, my impressionable mind was convinced by the media and by certain people in my life, that my voice didn't matter, and that I was supposed to accept what was thrown in my direction. Now, years later I find it so difficult to break the habit of silence. So to the men who have made me feel uncomfortable, and any other man who ends doing so in the future, this is for you.
1) I, in no way, enjoy being called " baby," "sweetie," "darling," "hot stuff," or any other vomit-inducing pet name, by a complete stranger
2) When you talk to me, I would appreciate it if you would look at my eyes, and not at my breasts. It is quite degrading to have a conversation with someone while they stare at every sexualized part of your body, rather maintaining eye contact.
3) Staring at me, and looking my body up and down while you lick your lips is not in any way flattering. In fact, it kind of makes me want to slap that smirk off of your face.
4) The fact that my top may reveal some cleavage (which some of us well-endowed ladies, find it hard to prevent ourselves from doing sometimes), is certainly not an invitation for you to comment on it.
5) Maybe if you started out our encounter by saying "Hi, how are you?" or "good morning," I would be more inclined to respond. That being said, I do not owe you an apology when I do not respond to your demeaning greetings such as "Damn Girl, how you doin'?"
Yeah. Not Cute.
6) Following me to my car is absolutely in no way an endearing method of flirtation. It is 100% terrifying, to have a stranger, who apparently was not satisfied by the unwelcomed sexual remarks he provided me while inside the store, to stalk me to my car. Dude, seriously I just wanted to get my breakfast and get to work.
Maybe none of you noticed that you made me uncomfortable because I never did say flat out "Hey, stop, you're making me uncomfortable." But that also means that you have no perception of body language, or inflection, to have sensed that I wanted you to back the frig off. It is also quite possible that you would have picked up on it if you had been focusing on me as a person, and not me as a sexual being... but we may never know.
