I'm not even going to speculate on the editorial process that results in an article called "Catcalling: creepy or a compliment?" Instead, read Catherine. For my part, I've always found catcalling particularly disturbing because I've never seen it happen. Yet it happens to my female friends all the time. This protective effect is not, I fear, is not because of my intimidating musculature or unsettling glower, but because other guys assume, for the most part, that if you're walking with a girl, she's "yours" and thus it would be impolite -- rude, even! -- to catcall. Which leaves us with two problems: One is the grossness of that sentiment. The second is that this is something mainly done to women who are on their own, and frequently who are on their own at night. Put slightly differently: It's not an all-purpose, if somewhat crass, appreciation of beauty. It's only done when women are most vulnerable, and the guy -- often in a group -- is utterly safe. It's about intimidation, and, more fundamentally, changing the power balance of a non-interaction. If an attractive girl walks by you and you're hoping she notices you and she doesn't, she controlled that interaction. Conversely, if you catcall her, make her uncomfortable and speed her gait, you've wrested control of the situation -- made yourself the actor and her the reactor. It's a way of covering insecurity, of asserting your existence by underscoring your physical dominance . It's utterly disgusting.
