Teacher gets catcalled in street – and then verbally abused when she responds

The woman was minding her own business walking down the street when she was catcalled – but she was met with a barrage of unpleasant comments when she stuck up for herself

Catcalling is one of the most annoying things people have to deal with in life. Many find unwanted attention seriously upsetting and intimidating, and sometimes, people may choose to confront the person who is being inappropriate.

One woman did just that when she was minding her own business walking down the street and a man chose to make a comment about her – and she was shocked at the reaction. She took to Mumsnet to express her horror that someone catcalled her, but she was wondering whether her actions could be deemed as unreasonable because she told him what he did wasn’t right.

Get the news you want straight to your inbox. Sign up for a Mirror newsletter here

She wrote: “Was walking down the road earlier, near my house. Was pretty cheerful – my A Level class has done really well (teacher, results day), it was sunny, life felt good. I was minding my own business when a man across the road yelled ‘looking good, love!’ at me.

“I know it was intended as a compliment, but I hate this sort of thing – I feel objectified and angry that women are viewed as objects to aesthetically please men. So I stopped, took my sunglasses off, and said ‘seriously – what is wrong with some men?’

“He said ‘what are you on about?’ and I said I don’t appreciate being yelled at and objectified by random strangers when I’m just minding my own business.

“We went back and forth like this briefly, and he got pretty angry and called me a ‘stuck up cow’ before storming off.

“I know it’s not the worst thing in the world he could have done, and he was clearly complimenting me, but am I unreasonable to hate it, and to tell him I don’t want that sort of attention?

“For me it was the equivalent to being wolf-whisted at. What do others think? Was I unfair?”

People were equally as angry with the man, saying what he did wasn’t right.

One wrote: “I’m guessing he wouldn’t have ‘complimented’ another man in the same way…”

Another complimented the woman, saying: “I’m glad you did it. Well done on seeing your A-level class through to great results and parenting and teaching and remaining sane and happy!”

Others disagreed, with one writing: “It wasn’t a whistle, wasn’t derogatory by the sounds of it. But if you don’t like it then it’s fine to say that.”

What would you have done in this situation? Let us know in the comments.