The No.1 Reason Why Some Women (Like Me) Do Not React To Catcalls

Okay so, don’t get me wrong. I have a huge personality and I tend to fight people… a lot. I have a loud mouth and I can pack a punch. However when it comes to experiencing a catcall, I shrink into my own shell and become this small piece of pure fear.

My most recent catcall experience

This whole article stemmed from an experience I had last Saturday afternoon. I was walking along Lardizabal when a man started to walk beside me. I already felt unsafe and clutched on my bag and umbrella really hard.

“If he touches me, I will push this umbrella into his freaking skull,” I say to my already-sweaty and frightened self. I can do that if I want to but as I glance at him, I realized that I actually can’t. The man was triple my size! If I call him out, he could retaliate which could cause me ending up in a news broadcast later tonight. In other words, he could react in a way that could cause me harm… rape or even death.

The catcall

After a few seconds of internal monologue, the man was still following me. He started glancing at me, looking at me from head to toe. He didn’t stop walking beside me. Then he said, “Miss, ang sexy mo naman.”

THE FEAR JUST ENVELOPED MY WHOLE BODY. I couldn’t do anything! My heart started racing and my body started trembling. I know I’m not that beautiful but holy sh*t, I felt dirtier than the soles of my shoes. I walked quicker, cursing under my breath, “Put*ng *na nga naman, oh.”

My first thought? To get away from the scary man

I looked up and saw the green light, allowing pedestrians to cross the street. Common sense just slapped me across the face. So, I ran and crossed the street the moment the light turned red. I managed to look back and he had the fucking nerve to smile like a demon ready for his supper. I didn’t care if there was a truck rushing towards me, I needed to get away from that scary man. Thankfully, I did.

But other women didn’t

I know (and you probably do too) that women get raped and killed every single day. That’s the violent reality that women have to face every single day. It’s unfortunate but it’s real. Who knows what would have happened if I waited for the street light to turn green again? Mind you, I was walking along a CROWDED street at two in the AFTERNOON.

I know what you’re probably thinking. If the street was crowded, why didn’t I cause a scene? Why didn’t I shout? Why didn’t I do anything? I have my own reason and this might reflect other women’s too.

Here’s one main reason that I did not physically react to the catcall:

Because I was scared

Come on guys. Do you really think a 145-pound woman can take on a man thrice her size? She probably can if she’s a professional wrestler. But I’m not.

When I’m with other women who are more timid than me, I try to be the stronger person. For example: When I’m walking with one of my little sisters or my best friends and I hear a single catcall, I will snap at the person who tried to disrespect them. Sometimes, I even flip them off.

And yes, I could have flipped him off. But the thing is, I was alone and I was scared that he wasn’t. What if this man had someone with him and what if this was their way of making contact to girls who walk alone at any time of day? What if I wasn’t first one he disrespected today?

The main reason always boils down to fear

Maybe it’s just me but I hope I’m not alone in this. It’s mainly the fear of what would happen if I did something. I know I could have hit him across the face with my umbrella. But what if he retaliates? What if his face was the last one I would have seen in my entire life? I know it was just a catcall but it could have lead to something worse.

That’s what happened to some girls and women across the planet. They get catcalled, followed, raped and then, killed. Some men “normally” rape their female spouses. There was a recent report where an uncle raped his six-month-old niece! The baby is currently fighting for her life after a hours long-surgery. Harsh… but unfortunately, it’s reality.

Men, you might not understand this but the least you can do is educate yourself about the harsh and violent reality that women have to face every single day.