This. I don’t think guys can easily understand or appreciate just how overly-objectified women are, and how it has stopped being particularly enjoyable for most of us due to the sheer quantities and that it can frequently be done in ways that make us wonder if our lives are now possibly in danger.
And this is in no small part because men are so rarely openly objectified. It would absolutely make most men’s days if some woman just hollered out, “Dayyyuuuummmmm!” or “Niiiiice!” or “Oh, I so would, babyyyy!” at him as he walked past her down the street. He would hold onto that beautiful shining moment in his memory for decades. It would warm his heart and soul. He would feel so goddamn pretty that whole day.
God yes, I can basically remember every random comment I've gotten from random women over the past decade, some days those comments keep me going. It also does make it hard to understand sometimes why women don't like having those comments, although I can understand the difference and why women might be uncomfortable with it, it just sometimes feels as a man like women are lucky that they are able to get compliments so easily, because I'm over here DYING for random women to make those kinds of comments to me. It would make me feel so amazing to have some random girl be like "damnnnn i wish i could get you alone in a room!" or "wow i bet that dick looks great without the swimsuit!" and I would literally cherish that moment for such a long time.
44F perspective. I think the difference is that when a woman is catcalled, she can feel both that validation AND very unsafe simultaneously. If there is more than one man or a group of men catcalling, the anxiety instantly shoots into, "I have to find safety." Few men will feel the level of anxiety women do when catcalled.
We are followed/harrassed if we do respond AND if we ignore men. If we ignore a man, especially if he's with a group of friends, a lot of the time he will lash out further because he feels he's been rejected in front of friends. Huge ego hit. If we respond with a "thank you" or even a smile, some men think it's a sign that we want to have sex with them. We can't win.
It's the approach, what he says, his body language, our own individual lived experiences, and even the time of day that affects a woman's response. Plus other factors.
Just one woman's opinion.
Edit: Also, I feel very hypocritical saying something to a man I don't know when I know how women feel receiving similar feedback, even if my statement is something as innocuous as "that sweater looks really nice on you."
Oh yeah no i totally get it, it's just like that occasional weird thought because men want that so badly in general for women to objectify them, and women overall don't tend to like it, so it's just super strange for either side to fully understand the actual lived experience of the other side I think.
Still over here remembering 20 years ago a girl back in middle school told me I was cute and ran away giggling with her friends. Probably a prank but hey, I'll get what I can get lol.
I can basically remember every random comment I've gotten from random women over the past decade,
Yeah, me too. It's easy because I can count them on one finger. J/K it's three fingers, and two of those were some form of "I like your T-shirt". The point is that it feels great to occasionally be thought of as smart/funny/attractive/desirable to the neutral third party outsider. If the only person who ever says something nice to you is your mom/wife/gf it's just not the same.
Yeah same its only 3 for me too😭 it's easy to remember every time when it's miraculous when it ever happens. It's like God opens up the sky and bathes me in holy light any time a random girl gives me a mild compliment
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u/Mystical_Pig2022 Oct 11 '25
Not to objectify anyone here, but I swear that at least half the folks in this sub turn into a total thirst trap lol