Psssss Oye Mami!

For starters my name is not ‘Mami’, I don’t have any children. Thank you, very much. Also, my name is not ‘Pssssssss’. Okay, so next you time you call me out of my name, while I’m walking down the street, you’re going to have to think que soy una malcriada! Meaning I have no manners, I might just flip you the bird.

I went out for a walk earlier, and I lost count of the times I heard men yell out comments like ‘eyyy shorty, lemme talk to you”. While I am sure that any woman appreciates a compliment, I am not sure that every woman appreciates a catcall. For those of you who aren’t aware, a catcall is usually when a man or even a woman, calls out or whistles at a passing individual in what can be seen as a sexual manner. The catcall can range from whistles to comments about how fine or sexy the passerby is. Catcalls can also include questions such as, can I talk to you, or can I have your number? As the weather gets warmer, woman may start hearing more catcalls, especially if they live in an urban neighborhood.

For some woman catcalls, are seen as compliments. But for many women it is an invasion of their space. Catcalling can come off in a manner that is harassing and intimidating to the woman who is being catcalled. In certain instances catcalls can even be seen as sexual harassment. I have talked to many of my females friends, and they talk about the discomfort that they have experienced when this happens. Walking down the street, my friends have heard comments such as ‘Rubia’ when they are actually brunettes not blondes, men have taken out their cell-phones in attempts to take pictures of them because ‘paraces una modelo’, as well as saying mean things such as ‘you ain’t that cute anyways’ when they have walked away ignoring the comments. Many of the same women I talked to felt that there is a very thin line between a compliments and disrespectful catcalling’s, but for the most part they don’t like catcalls.

Many of the men I talked to said that they felt that catcalls were a ‘disgusting’ way to grab a woman’s attention, and that there were other ways to do that and still come off as respectful. But some men don’t even know that they are being disrespectful but here’s my two cents for those guys; if you wouldn’t want someone talking to your mother, sister, cousin, and aunt in the manner you talk to other ladies, then maybe you should not be talking to them that way. For the ladies, that are being bothered while they walk down the street some of the best techniques are to just ignore the individual. Hence, my initial reaction would actually not be the smartest move. Some other techniques are to pull out a phone and either call someone or act like you are picking up a call, as well as simply saying ‘No thank you, I have a boyfriend’.

Until the next time, ladies stay safe while walking down the street, and gentlemen please be respectful and mindful of what is coming out of your mouth.