Hollaback

roobee13 · 30 October 2014 at 9:42AM

I've been 'catcalled' a few times and I can say without doubt the comments are never wanted. They make me feel embarrassed and intimidated, which is a horrible way to feel about yourself on a public street in the middle of the day

I wonder how the guys in the video would feel if it was their partner/sister/mother?

Georgiegirl256 · 30 October 2014 at 9:47AM

Tropez wrote: »

Sure, if you can prove the girl you're making the comment toward wants you to make that comment.

Otherwise, it is best to keep your mouth shut and not be a complete !!!.

:T :beer:

Here here!

It can be intimidating and creepy....anything more than a wolf whistle is not on IMO.

lulu_92 · 30 October 2014 at 9:51AM

Georgiegirl256 wrote: »

:T :beer:

Here here!

It can be intimidating and creepy....anything more than a wolf whistle is not on IMO.

I tell you what, I hate wolf whistles more than some comments!

Buzzybee90 · 30 October 2014 at 9:58AM

I think a lot of the comments are fine - the ones along the lines of "have a nice day", I'd really like it if someone said that to me - man or woman! But things like that don't often happen here, not where I live at least.

On the other hand the loads of "daymmns" were creepy and awkward. Especially as she is just dressed in normal clothes and is quite normal looking.

I am really surprised - I know it's 10 hours of filming but I've never seen anything like this in England. Occasional whistle or comment but not like this! Is Manhatten really like this?

In some ways I wish we were a little more like the Americans, saying morning and have a nice day a little more often. But not like this!

Georgiegirl256 · 30 October 2014 at 9:58AM

lulu_92 wrote: »

I tell you what, I hate wolf whistles more than some comments!

Yeah, tbh I'm not really even a fan of them either!

Catcherupper14 · 30 October 2014 at 10:02AM

I'm not of an age to be catcalled now, but I still find that some men (of all ages) deem it acceptable to say to me
"smile, it may never happen" or something of that ilk.

This is irrespective of how I am dressed (ie in scruffs or a smart suit).

These same men would not dream of saying such a thing to a man.

I don't feel harassed by it, in the legal sense, but I feel that it is unacceptable that some people feel they have the right to make these comments.

Of course, if ever I say anything back I get "well it's just a joke, love" or worse. No, it's not funny, it's not a joke, there is an underlying sense that women are almost public property in that they can be treated like this.

There is also a perception that women should be pretty and smiley; a man is allowed to be deep in thought or serious - in a woman it is construed as being grumpy.

ps I have no objection to being called "dear" or "love" in shops etc where I am engaging with that person.

emg · 30 October 2014 at 11:02AM

I thought this article made some interesting points about male harrassment vs female harrassment. I dont condone anyone harrassing anyone else regardless of gender but I kind of agree with what they are saying about how if men are harrassed their biggest worry is that women will laugh at them or make them look stupid whereas when women are harrassed their worry is that it might lead to the man attacking them or hurting them.

newcook · 30 October 2014 at 11:07AM

Thing is, we see it too often in films and tv shows set in new york that a stranger will go up to someone and say ‘I find you attractive, would you like to go for dinner tonight?’. Us ‘stiff-upper-lipped’ brits seem to think that this isn’t acceptable for some reason yet how else are single people meant to meet a partner if you cant approach a stranger?! I appreciate that there are completely unacceptable ways of complimenting someone or asking someone out but don’t forget we are all strangers til we meet!

Izadora · 30 October 2014 at 11:25AM

Catcherupper14 wrote: »

I still find that some men (of all ages) deem it acceptable to say to me
"smile, it may never happen"

I think that's actually more obnoxious than something along the lines of 'nice !!!! love'. Neither are welcome comments but having no idea what's going on in someone's life and telling them to cheer up is generally not going to go down well. Even though it was 25 years ago I still remember a bus driver saying 'Cheer up love, it might never happen' the day after my uncle had died. Seeing as my reaction was to burst into tears and say 'It already has.', I'm hoping he had the sense not to say the same to anyone else.