wow, the storm was awesome. The naked guys running around on ankeny were pretty awesome too. I love sponteneity. I love surprises. This kind of thing is a surprise, and its so cool
( Read more... )
Us sensitive modern American types have been brought up to believe that making any sort of public comment about a female's attractiveness (especially a female you don't know) is inherently degrading and offensive. I know that's how I've been programmed. It would never even cross my mind to "catcall" some girl, even if she was clearly a supermodel. The closest we get is when you're walking down the street and a hot girl passes by and you turn to your buddy and give him the "holy shit" look. If you're feeling really scandalous you might mouth the word "damn." That's about it.
I'm not sure I know how to explain why it is this way. It's just not something we do, and if you hear someone whistle or shout at a pretty girl you don't think, "wow, he's really appreciating her beauty," you think, "he's drunk, or else he's just an asshole." We're just not like those soulful, passionate Europeans.
Because when you comment on someone's attractiveness, the assumption is that that's ALL you're appreciating, leaving the fact that they are a person out of it. People want to be treated as people, not objects, and that's been a big thing in the last decade or two.
Agreed. I tried explaning it more, but I couldn't make it work, so "agreed" works.
Marta, at least Sosso didn't call you fat. Oh wait, he did in front of the entire class that one time. Nevermind.
And the storm was awesome, even though it nearly destroyed my research paper for Jules (I literally hit 'save' two seconds before the power went off for a moment).
Ahh. That dress. I'm glad that you like it and others like it as well...but I would have to agree with you, Marta. It seems like a lot of American men don't really comment on women as much UNLESS they are in the safety of some moving vehicle while you are walking down the street. I really have no idea about the catcalling phenomenon. It's really weird because it seems like a lot of women are actually taught to think that if a man hollers at her, she's dressed too provocatively and has attracted "bad" attention. So perhaps the entire American culture has taught us to fear sexuality and make it taboo...especially when it involves women, who are the "keepers" of all things moral. It's odd.
"Perhaps the entire American culture has taught us to fear sexuality and make it taboo..." I totally agree with you. If a woman likes sex or dresses provocatively, she can be labeled a slut. But feeling sexy and liking sex are two different things. Sexuality is healthy and normal -- but I think too often society takes normal sexuality and labels it abnormal. I'm reading "Queen Bees and Wannabes" right now. Rosalind Wiseman has stuff to say about this -- about how rumors affect how girls perceive sex and sexuality. You might want to check it out. It's fascinating.
Comments 14
Reply
I'm not sure I know how to explain why it is this way. It's just not something we do, and if you hear someone whistle or shout at a pretty girl you don't think, "wow, he's really appreciating her beauty," you think, "he's drunk, or else he's just an asshole." We're just not like those soulful, passionate Europeans.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Marta, at least Sosso didn't call you fat. Oh wait, he did in front of the entire class that one time. Nevermind.
And the storm was awesome, even though it nearly destroyed my research paper for Jules (I literally hit 'save' two seconds before the power went off for a moment).
Reply
Reply
I totally agree with you. If a woman likes sex or dresses provocatively, she can be labeled a slut. But feeling sexy and liking sex are two different things. Sexuality is healthy and normal -- but I think too often society takes normal sexuality and labels it abnormal.
I'm reading "Queen Bees and Wannabes" right now. Rosalind Wiseman has stuff to say about this -- about how rumors affect how girls perceive sex and sexuality. You might want to check it out. It's fascinating.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment