September 25th, 2005castrating catcallers
The coworker and I have had a particularly intriguing ongoing conversation for a few weeks now. It revolves around guys who stare, whistle and catcall when we walk down the street. My inclination is to ignore them and chuckle, ’cause it cracks me up and, well, it’s kinda flattering. Depending on the situation/person, I’ll respond with a smile or a “Hey, you too,” response. The coworker, on the other hand, more often responds with a one fingered salute or a “Well you don’t.” And every time she does, I am appalled and we debate the commenter and the comment. We have decided that she a) gets it more often than I (undoubtedly) and b) has grown up in a town where it’s very common and very low-class (what they say, etc.). On the flipside, I grew up where when it did happen, it tended to be subtle and often nice.
This afternoon as I was unloading groceries from my car (real sexy, no?), a car with two guys in it pulled down my street. The passenger leaned out the window and, oh so sweetly uttered, “Hey there baby. I’d like to show your backend this backseat.” Attractive, right? Makes you want to just jump in that backseat, right? Yeah.
OK, so I rolled my eyes, ignored them and continued unloading. They parked about two houses down and continued staring in my direction. (Which I found highly entertaining—I was in jeans and a sweater people, it’s not like I was sporting a mini skirt and heels.) Anyway, a young woman came out of the house and climbed into the backseat. (I live on a street where most of the homes have been converted to apartments.) They did a U-turn and began to edge out.
Now, I assumed at this point that they would pull onto the main street and go about their business—after all, they now had a female (pretty cute, and young, too) in the car. But nooo, that would be too easy. The guy spoke again. This time it was a far more endearing “C’mon hot stuff, I could show you a great time.”
Normally I’m a nice person, but this was just ridiculous, childish and rude. So I turned, walked over to his car and responded, “Now, I realize that you’re about three years shy of being able to drink legally, and so I’m sure your age is a factor here, but that’s no excuse for being a rude, revolting little punk. Grow up. Women like me never, ever go for children.”
Mouth agape, he just stared at me. The girl in the back moved about uncomfortably, and the driver just started laughing. “Man, she told you. Damn.”
I don’t like being rude, but while I can appreciate a compliment and even a whistle, this was just wrong.
So coworker, are you proud of me now?
Wow. I bet that guy liked you more after you told him off, lol.
I think he deserved what he got… those lines were pretty bad and he wasn’t even trying to be endearing or funny. I’m sure your co-worker is very proud of you Insider :). You can now have competitions throughout the week seeing which one of you can come up with the best put down, when u take ur walks down the street together, lol.
Comment by Graham — September 25, 2005 @ 6:48 pm
LOL. You think? Damn, that was not the intention.
Competitions to come up with put downs.. she’d win, hands down. 🙂 And we’ve never heard it that bad in the town where we work. Just the typical “Looking good,” etc. 🙂
Comment by the insider — September 25, 2005 @ 7:04 pm
It sounds to me like the two of you blaze quite a trail down those streets on your lunch break :).
And if her put downs beat yours hands down, considering your “but that’s no excuse for being a rude, revolting little punk” then I gotta feeling your friend is not to be messed with, lol.
Comment by Graham — September 25, 2005 @ 10:07 pm
LOL.. Either that or they’re just happy to see any females at all. 😉
And she isn’t too be messed with… no, no, no. She can be awfully scary. 😛
Comment by the insider — September 25, 2005 @ 10:16 pm
Verbal character assassination is an art form and a gift. Some of us have it, some of us don’t.
Those of you who don’t have it should fear the rest of us.
Comment by grampa — September 26, 2005 @ 1:46 am
Just Lol 🙂
Comment by Prerona — September 26, 2005 @ 2:26 am
Well, I‘m proud of you, and I like you more. But I don’t fear you. Or you, Grampa 😉
(and I too think it can be funny and flattering).
Comment by Anne — September 26, 2005 @ 3:50 am
LOL!! nothing better to make his trouser to go off! haha
In my town this kind of words are considered rude and low-class too and they say it to every woman: pretty, less-pretty or prettyless… so I considr myself lucky when they come to me with those words because, at least, I am not that ugly lol
Comment by me, myself and I — September 26, 2005 @ 6:32 am
I AM SO PROUD!!! See – I told you – guys who catcall and whistle and say rude things are usually complete losers with a wife and kids at home who need to be told where to go. Or, in this case, they’re young idiots who don’t know any better but could still use a good ol’ mouthful. I knew you had it in you. 😉 I’m slightly surprised it took you this long to let it roar – but it’s OK, my pride is just oozing all over the place.
Comment by the coworker — September 26, 2005 @ 10:01 am
Aww Grampa.. are you saying I’m gifted? How sweet.
Prerona— 🙂
Of course you shouldn’t Anne, lol. We’d never turn it on you. 🙂
Me: See, now that I understand—exactly right, lol.
Coworker.. yay! Thanks momma.
Comment by the insider — September 26, 2005 @ 10:02 am
Nice work!
I was at a wedding this weekend. The (female) bartender was trying to hit on me.
She turned around to pick up a bottle of booze and I swear it looked like she was wearing a diaper under her tight black pants.
She handed me my drink and called me sweetie with a wink.
Fortunately I was very drunk and I probably could have gotten away with any face I made at that point.
Comment by JB — September 26, 2005 @ 10:32 am
Ahh.. too much junk in the trunk is what you’re saying here, then, yes? (What you said on the phone.. but you were quite inebriated and hard to understand, lol)
Comment by the insider — September 26, 2005 @ 11:41 am
wow. i think i would have been meaner. but good job for at least vocalizing it better than “i bet your balls haven’t even dropped yet you prepubescent little prick.”
Comment by wendykat — September 26, 2005 @ 12:00 pm
i am in agreement with my friend, the coworker. I myself am a fan of telling people “you’re number 1” with the finger when i get such catcalls. Good Job, insider, and very witty. lol
Comment by the single gal — September 26, 2005 @ 12:05 pm
Wendy.. I love it, rotfl. Now I wish you had been there and said that, because it’s classic. 🙂
Thanks SG. I’m learning from the best over here, lol. 😉
Comment by the insider — September 26, 2005 @ 12:12 pm
Nicely done. i used to have to walk by a bunch of fat,rude construction workers every morning on my way to work. after weeks of really tasteless catcalling, i finally crossed the street and told them off. turns out one of them had a crush on me, and i was like, “disparaging me is not a great way to get a date.” they left me alone after that.
Comment by Moxie — September 26, 2005 @ 12:41 pm
You must post a picture of yourself! You must live in a huge metropolis where being rude is status-quo. Dare I guess, New York City?
Comment by Augustus-Reed — September 26, 2005 @ 1:23 pm
Moxie: NICE!
Yeah, no way Augie. That’s the whole reason for an anonymous blog. 😛
And nope, not a huge metropolis at all—very small town. That’s why normally it isn’t a big deal.
Feeling better lately?
Comment by the insider — September 26, 2005 @ 1:27 pm
insider………heard you will be watching nip tuck tomorrow….im so proud……personally, I think the blood and guts is worth the threesomes at the end. lol
Comment by the single gal — September 26, 2005 @ 1:36 pm
Yep. e-mail me sometime. (blogtemps@gmail.com)
Comment by Augustus-Reed — September 26, 2005 @ 1:40 pm
SG… I always watch Nip/Tuck.. lol, the blood and guts does gross me out though. 🙂
Augie—I will, just to make sure you’re still alive and haven’t crashed the plane. 😉
Comment by the insider — September 26, 2005 @ 1:45 pm
from a guy’s perspective i think the blood and guts would be tolerable in order to get to the threesome, but thats just me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by andy — September 26, 2005 @ 1:53 pm
Damn andy, didn’t we discuss the !!’s? Sheesh. 😛
Comment by the insider — September 26, 2005 @ 1:56 pm
why do you think they are there?
Comment by andy — September 26, 2005 @ 2:06 pm
yes yes, i agree the 3somes are great
Comment by the single gal — September 26, 2005 @ 2:11 pm
Jackass. 😛 You need a support group.
SG: LOL. A might obsessed, aren’t we?
Comment by the insider — September 26, 2005 @ 2:13 pm
ummmmmmmm, yeah, but isn’t admitting it the first step to recovery?
Comment by the single gal — September 26, 2005 @ 2:26 pm
Sure, rotfl, whatever makes you happy. 🙂
Comment by the insider — September 26, 2005 @ 2:32 pm
lol, hee hee hee.
Comment by the single gal — September 26, 2005 @ 2:34 pm
Admitting it is the first step to recovery.
Comment by Grampa — September 26, 2005 @ 3:21 pm
Um.. I think she’s more interested in it in a discovery sense… 😉
Comment by the insider — September 26, 2005 @ 3:23 pm
lol, too funny……hmmmmmm insider, why do you watch the show????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Comment by the single gal — September 26, 2005 @ 3:27 pm
She wants to watch threesomes on the Discovery channel?
That’s just freaky.
Comment by Grampa — September 26, 2005 @ 3:32 pm
SG.. Because the coworker got me addicted. The threesomes really don’t do it for me, but hey, they’re integral to the plot. 🙂
Grampa.. um. The mere concept that your brain went there freaks me out. 😉
Comment by the insider — September 26, 2005 @ 3:35 pm
wow……i think there may even be a support group for that. lol
Comment by the single gal — September 26, 2005 @ 3:36 pm
You mean not everyone thinks about a hippo, a giraffe and a wildebeast getting it on?
Comment by Grampa — September 26, 2005 @ 3:37 pm
oh wow…. see i always think of a hippo, a giraffe and a kangaroo
Comment by the single gal — September 26, 2005 @ 3:38 pm
I’ve decided to bow out of this little conversation and leave you two alone with your sick minds. lol
‘Cause damn people. You two are disturbed. 😛
Comment by the insider — September 26, 2005 @ 3:39 pm
You just have no vision.
Comment by Grampa — September 26, 2005 @ 3:40 pm
lol
Comment by the insider — September 26, 2005 @ 3:41 pm
see, you see it as disturbed, but if you worked in my profession, you would realize I am surprisingly normal…..just creative. lol
Comment by the single gal — September 26, 2005 @ 3:41 pm
okay…for example, my coworker just came up to me to tell me that when he was just at his client’s house, his client (female) says to him…”i’m having problems with my bowel movements now that my boyfriend has left me…you see, he used to help me in this area by giving me anal sex…and that would help, but what do i do now that we’re broken up?” so the coworker says……uhhh how bout seeing a doctor?” So you see insider, i am surprisingly normal. lol
Comment by the single gal — September 26, 2005 @ 3:44 pm
OK, all I have to say is eww. Very much ewww.
Yes, you are very normal now, lol.
Comment by the insider — September 26, 2005 @ 3:46 pm
lol… yeah ewww is right. oh man, i really should start a blog cuz i crack myself up.
Comment by the single gal — September 26, 2005 @ 3:47 pm
You should! They’re fun. 🙂
Comment by the insider — September 26, 2005 @ 3:59 pm
get back to work you slackers!
Comment by wendykat — September 26, 2005 @ 4:03 pm
They are slackers, huh. I am a good worker bee over here, simply moderating the two of them. 😉
Comment by the insider — September 26, 2005 @ 4:07 pm
It’s only 10:10 in the AM here. I have quite a day ahead of me, long after all you have started guzzling wine.
So there.
Comment by Grampa — September 26, 2005 @ 4:14 pm
And once again with the lush remarks. 😛
Comment by the insider — September 26, 2005 @ 4:16 pm
Wino.
Comment by Grampa — September 26, 2005 @ 4:17 pm
hey, im working hard over here………….at keeping my sanity
Comment by the single gal — September 26, 2005 @ 4:17 pm
Wrinkly Bastard.
Sorry SG. 🙂
Comment by the insider — September 26, 2005 @ 4:19 pm
hey, it’s okay. It’s the name of the game.
Comment by the single gal — September 26, 2005 @ 4:29 pm
An excellent response insider! HOw many times would all of us LOVE to tell some punk kid off exactly the same way! lol
Comment by Kerry — September 26, 2005 @ 11:47 pm
He was a rugrat. 🙂
Comment by the insider — September 27, 2005 @ 12:34 am
I’m totally obsessed now about what you might look like for people to be catcalling you….you must be super hot……..
Comment by Augustus-Reed — September 27, 2005 @ 2:47 am
Nope Augie, just normal looking. 🙂 😛
Comment by the insider — September 27, 2005 @ 7:42 am