June 23, 2012
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When Men Whistle at Women
Apparently some women were offended by a billboard that announced, “We apologize for the whistling construction workers, but man you look good.” Here is the link: Link
I would be flattered if women whistled at me when I walked by.
Would you be flattered if someone whistled at you?
Comments (90)
Yes it would be flattering but depending on how the person looks and the manner and place in which they whistle at you can be a little creepy and put a women on edge….
If they wrote my name in the cement!
No. She’d be a sexist pig.
I’m usually not flattered or offended by it. I think I’ve started to see it as being “normal”
I would be flattered by it. I’ve been whistled at by a few guys, even been ‘shirt whipped’ by a young whipper-snapper that I used to go to school with. Lol. I find it very amusing and most of the time boasts confidence… But if the guy who whistled at me was someone who I knew to be a straight A-sshole, then I would be tell the guy off and say he doesn’t deserve any woman.
That sign was perfectly fine! It made me laugh and want to know who the construction workers were lol. Not offended in the least. We just live in an ‘anti-flirt’ society now. It’s sick.
hmmm I’m hispanic so I’m quite used to that but still bothers me a lot, makes me feel so selfconscient and awkward, also makes my face burning red and I might trip and fall…so yeah, not really flattering but it’s just something every women has to take in my country.
sure, why not.
I’d be flattered. I wouldn’t be offended unless they started making derogatory remarks. I mean, really, offended because someone whistles at you?
to me, its just like saying hello, recognizing you are there you know =)
what girl doesnt love it?? or being honked at by cars driving by, cat calls, and the like
sad but I have to say, it really depends on if the guy is hot
Never once has a whistle offended me. As a matter of fact, it brightens my day!
This happens to me all the time because I’m very attractive and I have a great ass. It isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, though. Sometimes they throw stuff at me.
It is not uncommon for me to do catcalls from the peanut gallery!
@xXxlovelylollipop - So, in other words, you love it!
If the guy is hot, yes. If not, no.
How dear they use “man” in that context, that’s utterly sexist!
@Relic47 - lol yeah, if I don’t get at least 6 of them I got back home to check my outfit
It can be faltering it depends on if they are subtle or vulgar about it
They always whistle when I’m dressed like crap. I don’t really care. When I was in junior high/early high school I was fat and ugly, so honestly it makes me feel a little good. I’m engaged now though, so I don’t even really notice if guys are hot.
…. if?
I think it’s hilarious. And being offended is not a violation of anyone’s civil rights. Announcing that you’re offended by something is really just screaming “my feelings are more important than your freedom”. Please take your entire blog down, Dan, I’m offended.
Years ago it happened that the occasional construction crew wistled at me as i passed by. “not that i was ever hot”. It used to enrage me so much that i remember one day screeming at them with all my might. To the point that one of them took pity of me and silenced them all. There is something about whistling at someone that i find extremely offensive.
Sometimes it is unflattering.. Such as… When I was 12 years old visiting my mom in California, so many guys would hit on me.. I dont mean guys, but MEN.. Grown men hitting on a 12 year old.. That is messed up, but tbh, I do find it flattering now, but then again.. I am 22
When I try to whistle,only bubbles come out!
I love a good cat call, but I don’t like being gawked at. It is like the difference between being told, ‘you’re hot’ and being undressed by their eyes.
I have always enjoyed those delightful sounds of appreciation. Even if I did turn into a klutz after having it happen. Thus being blessed with the nickname ‘Grace’ by my girlfriends.
Not really flattered, but I’d take it as a compliment.
I don’t usually care, but I don’t necessarily care for the attention. I’m weird like that.
Yes. Except that I have a problem in which I think people do things like that because I’m unattractive, and they are trying to be dicks. So I would have to reason with myself to actually accept it, but if I got to that point I would be flattered.
As a woman, I find it offensive. I get that most of the time by disgusting guys on the street. When a disgusting guy throws a cliche pick up line or just checks me out in a “hungry” way that is very disrespectful.
More like flabbergasted.
kool posts
I only ever notice it if someone else pouts out the whirling is directed at me. My initial reaction is to assume it’s meant for someone else or I just honestly don’t notice it.
I’ve never been whistled at. I would think someone was playing a joke on me if someone did whistle at me.
That happened one time. I was waiting for the bus reading one of my pick-your-own-path books. I saw a gray car drive up to the red light. I looked up momentarily hearing an electric buzzing sound and saw a women who was leaning over to try and talk with me out the passenger window which was down and must’ve been up earlier.
She looked at me and smiled and said, “Boy it’s hot outside isn’t it ?”
I replied back, “Yes ma’am.”
Now, I guess I’ve always had a funny sounding voice. Anyways she leaned over to talk to me more at the red light.
“Want a ride, honey ?” and she unlatched the door opening it a bit.
“No ma’am.” I replied politely. “I’m waiting for the bus.” I mean she had to see this. I was sitting on a bus bench after all. I even had my bus pass out as a bookmark.
She shook her head and I noticed she had really silvery earring hoop things. I guess she was about 30-years old. “That old bus isn’t going to be here anytime soon, honey. I’ll take you home. I promise. We’ll even stop for ice-cream, my treat. How does that sound ?”
“What flavor ?” I asked getting suspicious of her now.
She was quiet for a moment. Then she said, “Strawberry.” looking behind her back window for a moment. Was she waiting for a police car ?
Well that offer of strawberry ice-cream did sound pretty good at the moment. I got up off the bench but then the bus which had already pulled up behind her (and she didn’t tell me OBVIOUSLY) honked it’s biggo horn and I jumped in a panic !
Then I started towards it looking back over my shoulder. She must’ve undone her seat-belt or something cause her head was poked all the way out the passenger side window and she was looking at my feet and hadda big smile on her face and whistled, and yes it was that rude kind of whistle.
I looked back and yelled, “What ?” a little angrily now.
“You got a hot ass !” she yelled where everyone could hear it. For a moment I rubbed the behind of my shorts thinking it was the hot bus bench I was on but then I realized what she was saying and shot my hand down suddenly in shame hoping she didn’t notice.
But she did and laughed out loud. Then the car beside her drove ahead as the light turned green so she pulled back in her car to get going too.
The bus driver, a nice looking large black woman looked at me with more than a smirk on her face as I climbed the 3-steps inside.
“Do you know her ?” she asked as I showed her my bus pass.
“No ma’am.” I said, a little irritable now. “That’s the first time I seen her.”
“Well have a seat, hot ass.” she said and smiled at me. Oboy … I lowered my head and ran all the way to the back of the bus where there was one seat waiting for me and buried my head back in my book. Once I was seated she started up the bus again and we were off for home.
That wasn’t the first or last time someone has offered me a ride home when they see me walking or taking the bus. I guess I look homely or something.
Any other guys get whistled at too (so I don’t feel completely alone here) ?
not really.
I have never whistled at anybody, no females have whistled at me
I’m sorta like “Whoa someone thinks i’m hot!” but like, i’m not a piece of meat.
@Ms_BeautyExpert -
http://www.ihollaback.org/about/
I would most likely be flattered, albeit a little embarrassed by the attention.
Never once has a whistle offended me. As a matter of fact, it brightens my day
When I was younger and really insecure I felt really flattered when guys whistled at me. I don’t think I’d be flattered or offended now, but I think whistling at strangers is a little.. trashy.
@Jenniannebee - ?? lol Ur comment just says @ Ms_BeautyExpert……?
It depends and I’ll be honest I have no idea what it depends on. I’ve been whistled at and felt totally flattered, and other times I’ve been a little creeped out.
That happened to me more when I was 13-16…it struck me as creepy at the time.
Now, I don’t feel threatened. It feels a little more appropriate now that I’m old enough. And as long as it’s just a honk and nothing more..no slowing down, etc.
I cant whistle so I carry a referee whistle around with me. If I notice an attractive girl I stand inches away from her face and repeatedly blow the whistle as loud as I can.
I’m always flattered. I usually wink back or smile or something; as long as they’re being friendly & it’s hands off, why not?
@amateurprose - This. I’d be all like.. must have you NOW.
Lolololol, and I bet that Mall Management Office never even had one legitimate complaint of one of the construction workers whistling at a woman. I work in a shopping center and we’re currently undergoing construction for a new store, and the purpose of those barricade walls is to prevent customers from seeing the construction workers. I doubt they were really apologizing for the bad behavior of their workers. More likely, they needed something to fill the vacant space, and thought of this tongue-in-cheek sign. Maybe it was a little ill thought out on their behalf, but I found the sign really funny.
@DJ_GiNSU - Because nudity isn’t breaking the law in public places.
I think it’s funny… mainly because the guy doing that thinks that would make him attractive to the girl
Wouldn’t care either way lol.
Aw, it is innocent. But my man would be livid.
It depends on if the person is creepy or not, really.
*WHISTLES AT EVERY WOMAN WHO’S COMMENTED*
Hell…yes! I would even flex the old butt cheeks in response…lol…Its a Tallman inferno!LOL…
i’d be flattered, yes. but if anything vulgar followed that whistle i would not be flattered, just utterly disgusted.
I really can’t stand being whistled at. I find it much more flattering to lock eyes with a guy walking by.. and that silent nod of approve or smile he gives back.. instantly makes me blush!
@mrswhatserface - wow. I’ve never heard that before. Usually I thought women thought that was creepy.
I feel no differently about a stranger thinking I’d be flattered by being whistled at, than I do about a stranger deciding it would be really funny to shout “whore” from a passing truck.
I wouldn’t be offended, but it does make me a little uncomfortable.
If it was more than whistling, however, I would be offended.
Whistle away!!!
In my experience, whistling is usually accompanied by lewd and sometimes aggressive comments. It’s always nice to know people find you attractive, but there’s a point where it starts to border on harassment. If you consider that maybe that person doesn’t want to get yelled at (wether its a positive comment/whistle or not), and that it could possibly make them feel uncomfortable or unsafe, like they have to start taking a different route to avoid the unwanted attention…it’s really not that unreasonable that people are upset about the ad. And as a woman, it’s sometimes hard to gauge wether that situation (walking by a group of men who are making it known that they are watching you), could escalate into something more than a whistle or comment. Not to mention the sign makes it seem like construction workers are crass and can’t control themselves, which is almost more offensive to them than women.
I think this is a conversation we need to be having: How much attention is appropriate, and what crosses the line?
I’ve heard some people say that just saying “nice hair” is enough to be offensive, which strikes me as ridiculous. (There’s a feminist video game called Hey Baby where you kill men who make catcalls at you, and one of the “offensive” remarks, is, verbatim: ““I don’t mean any disrespect, but you’re beautiful.”)
On the other hand, some things that men say and do to women, even random strangers, are pretty terrible. Certainly anyone who walks up and spanks you is a grade-A douchebag.
The hard part for me is where to draw the line? Is “nice hair” more acceptable than “nice butt”, and if so, why? Is whistling acceptable? What sort of compliments are okay to give, and what sort are not?
I don’t know the answers, but I think we need to ask the questions.
@bbanmen420 - Catcalling a 12-year-old is just awful. Those men were acting like pedophiles.
@lindoarr - No differently at all? Really?
Then you are precisely the problem, because the intentions of these two acts are obviously different and anyone can see that.
I don’t think I’d be offended. Most likely, I’d be flattered, as I’ve never been whistled at before.
lol
sorry, I love being whistled at by construction workers!
Jyll Stonecypher
“Bed of Cole’s” by A-I Press.net
August 2012
Not particularly. If a guy whistled at me, i’d think they’re immature and petty. If you’re really that impressed, you should put it in words, in front of me.
It makes me uncomfortable. I don’t like being oggled D:
yeah
Haha, look at the idiots saying that they like it. Way to go, playing right into the hands of gender roles. It’s just great that women are expected to be attractive for men (expect horny men to happily go along with and encourage this phenomenon).
@pnrj - No, no differently. The possibility of good intent doesn’t help much when the attention is simply unwanted.
In my day, we didn’t allow broads to get offeded. If a woman started complainin’ about something she saw she’d have two eyes swollen shut shortly thereafter. The liberals have let women get away with too much. It all started with suffrage and it’s only gotten worse since.
Hell yes I’d be flattered! I haven’t been whistled at by a construction worker in 35 years!
For my part, I want to be taken seriously in this world as a woman, and it bothers me when men whistle at me. I put whistling on the same plane as men making derogatory or any sexually charged comments on the street. I hate that it’s okay for men not only to view me only as a sexual being but to express that whenever they want because they think I WANT to be thought of in that way and that, hey, it’s just what men do. I don’t, and it’s not what quality men do to women they respect.
I’m personally very flattered by whistles!
I would be flattered. I don’t get why other women are angry about it. Well, I sort of do, but on the other hand, someone finds (parts of) you attractive, so it’s sort of a compliment.
I understand they can’t help themselves, it’s to be expected.
I don’t mind at all.
I was 6 months pregnant with my first child (I looked like I was carrying twins), when this young man gave out a wolf’s call and whistled at me. I turned my head to see the who he was talking to when he said, “Yes. I mean you, would you like to go out?”.
I politely turned him down and told him that I was happily married. lol
I don’t mind at all.
I was 6 months pregnant with my first child (I looked like I was carrying twins), when this young man gave out a wolf’s call and whistled at me. I turned my head to see the who he was talking to when he said, “Yes. I mean you, would you like to go out?”.
I politely turned him down and told him that I was happily married. lol
Weird, I don’t understand why my post went under the name of curlyquilter o:
I’ve been whistled at before. I hate it, its not flattering, its just disrespectful and uncalled for. Especially in my case. If someone’s on the street click-clicking in a pair of heels and in a short dress swaying her hips, that’s different. I’m never that way, so just by looking at me you can tell that that sort of attention is not what I’m looking for.
I’m flattered when its harmless whistling and they’re not approaching me, but when someone is actually coming up to me and saying disgusting things then its not okay because they’re too close for comfort.
i don’t mind a little whistle.
Often times I find myself disgusted because when I’m walking past guys who hollers or whistles, I can almost feel his eyes staring at my ass. However during the few times I think a guy is cute and he whistles, I don’t really mind.
Hell, yeah I’m offended! The fact is, if you are truly hot they are too stunned by your beauty or boobs to make a sound! hahahaha They just stand there silent with their mouths agape!
I feel like punching the person for some reason o.O