People who catcall and have nothing better to do

Disclaimer: This is not an “I am angry post”. This is more of an “I am fed up” and “The truth of how we feel” post.

Blink twice if you’ve ever been catcalled. If you did it voluntarily, then this post is probably for you. If you blinked out of reflex, well this post is most probably for you as well.

Catcalling is probably something many of us face daily. I honestly do not know if that’s the case for the majority of boys as well, but when it comes to girls, it’s like part of the package of being a female and possessing female body parts. 

Personally, I have been catcalled so many times that the fingers and toes of a hundred people put together would not be enough to accurately provide you with the true number of times I have been faced with this. I have had people whistle at me to harass me for over 10 minutes just to obtain my number to having been shown a certain male private part in public. Are you shocked? Well, you shouldn’t be. I am sure many girls have been victims of these kinds of scenes as well.

People who catcall operate in different ways and have their own unique techniques. Even though these techniques might seem to be ‘cool’ and ‘oh so attractive’, we girls see them in a whole different light. So, with no further ado, let us start the countdown!

1. People who hiss and whistle 

This is actually a very common technique used by catcallers. This hissing is often in the form of a ‘pssst’ which, in my humble opinion, sounds like the hissing made by a pressure cooker that has been on for too long and probably contains burnt food. Then comes the whistle. This whistle cannot be compared to the lovely sound birds make, no. It’s more like the annoying sound the old computer makes when turning on.

Now, when we look for the source, please do not interpret it wrongly. There are only two possibilities as to why we look at you. Firstly, we are deeply concerned about your vocal cords. Like, why would you make such a horrible sound unless you’re really sick and probably need immediate medical help? Secondly, it’s to see if you need help in looking for your lost pet, who probably abandoned you since it was fed up with your manners just like we are. And believe me, you will not be finding it anytime soon if you keep fixing your eyes on us and whistling for it. 

But anyways, we wish you a splendid recovery for your damaged vocal cords or that you find your beloved pet back or better, that you get the pink eye if ever you were looking at us sexually, which I’m sure you are not since you are such an angel.

2. People who honk

Basically, here you are, walking or standing somewhere in public minding your own business. The sun is shining, cars are speeding by and people are walking past you either in a hurry or lazily. You are at peace and contemplating on life when you suddenly start hearing a car honking continuously. Instinctively, you look at the source of the noise.

Again people, please don’t mistake our intention for interest when we look at your car. It’s either because we thought an accident happened and help was needed or because we hoped that you were someone we knew who would offer us a ride or simply because we believed that there’s an issue with your car. If that’s the case, then you should seriously consider changing your mechanic because obviously, the job is being poorly done.

Imagine our disappointment when we end up seeing a bunch of creepy dudes staring at us with their teeth out in a way which they think is seductive but in reality, is utterly unappealing. The cringe you make us go through is seriously unbearable. Please be more considerate the next time you honk uselessly.

3. People who pass sexual comments and show their private parts

This is undoubtedly the most annoying of them all. The comments I have heard so far are so disgusting that it only makes me want to take a bucket of cleaning detergent and have them gargle with it. A thousand of times.

I get it, you are sexually frustrated and will lash at any individual having a sexual organ but come on! It’s time to chill a little bit. Passing crude sexual comments and showing us your private parts does not in any way encourage us to feel an ounce of attraction towards you. If you have not noticed it yet, it repulses us.

Perhaps it’s time you abandon this strategy for no person has fallen to it yet? Or maybe become asexual? Or better, chop that thing off from between your legs. You’ll not only give us relief but you’ll also feel better for you no longer will feel the need to be a complete jerk and you’ll lose your libido. When you think about it, it’ll be a positive change!

4. People who stalk

To be completely honest, this is the scariest one. Imagine this. You are walking alone down a quiet street and suddenly a person or a group of people start following you quite conspicuously. You turn right, they turn right. You turn left, they turn left. You speed up, they speed up. You stop for a while, they stop for a while. Your heart starts beating faster as you’re frightened of what might happen and you only breathe a sigh of relief when you see some people ahead.

The unnerving part in all of this is knowing that you are alone and obviously a little bit vulnerable with a group of strangers whose intention you do not know about following your every move and trying to get closer to you. All kinds of scenarios are projected in your head, some where you are threatened to some where you are sexually assaulted. Believe me, these are quite traumatic.

They may laugh when doing this. You may be laughing as well and finding it quite innocent. But this is literally a life or death situation for many. The stress we are made to go through is unimaginable.

On a serious note, I genuinely believe that massive awareness should be made when we talk about catcalling. This is a social plague that we need not be passive about. It’s time we stood up to catcallers and showed them that we will not tolerate their ways anymore whether it be through our response to them or whether it be through laws.

Enough is enough.

P.S. This post is mostly from the point of view of women, but we should not ignore that men go through this as well. Do comment your experience if ever you have been through this and wish to share with the others!

Sending buckets full of love your way,

Kavya H Saikia 🌸