87% of American women (18-64) claim to have been harassed on the street by men

[Teddy B 17,252]

I don't know what you should do. You should decide that for yourself. Most of the women I interact with seem to manage life just fine without the training wheels.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

You can compliment your wife, you mother, your friends etc but strangers on a street is a complete no no. You have absolutely NO idea what your 'compliment' means to a woman you do not know. At best, it's probably embarrassment, at worst it could be fear. If someone responded to your so called 'compliment' with piss off, what would you say? That they have some nerve to reject your compliment? Seriously, how about you're a 30 year old 'compimenting' a 16 year old? Is she meant to know you're a good guy who only wants to pass on some pleasantry? You wan to say something nice irrespective of what the recipient may or may not want because you have decided that it's something that women should expect and delight in. How did you come to this conclusion?

Truth,

The few times I have complimented a stranger, I gotten a polite thank you and a smile. Maybe it's because I keep them to simple things. Like a nice pair of shoes, or earrings that accent her eye color or outfit. Maybe it's because when I do it, it's not because I was sexually attracted to them, but honestly was impressed with what I saw. Hell, I've talked to women in bad moods that said my compliment made their day. As a father, I wouldn't comment on a 16 year old, it's not appropriate. My sons are that age.

Maybe I've been lucky or maybe the women I've talked to knew off the bat I was being sincere and responded in kind.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I just went back and re-read the comments. Let me try to clear the air if I can:

I believe that women are harassed, and when it happens, it's wrong. No doubt about it. It's wrong and disgusting. Cat calling, whistling, and being just a rude SOB isn't called for in any situation. And no woman deserves it, no matter what she has on. When I say compliment, that's what I meant. Not being disrespectful. And I think the majority of men who responded about what they do when they compliment are in the same vein.

So for the ladies on here that have been disrespected, I would like to say I'm sorry, you don't deserve to be treated this way. And please, don't let this taint your vision of men. Not all of us are like this.

[Teddy B 17,252]

This thread is disgusting for so many reasons.

It does not surprise me in the least that they think 87% is a high number. It also doesn't surprise me that there are some people who have now started a rant about compliments/harassment. I guarantee you the 87% who answered this poll weren't talking about the gentlemen that came up to them and told them they look lovely today.

And then there are the few who decide to deflect, "women do it too!" ... I bet not nearly 87% of men have been harassed by women on the street. Which is the topic.

Anyway - you've never truly lived until you've had a stranger yell out something disgusting to you in public. Bonus points if multiple people around you hear it and stare at you. And all you did to deserve it was exist and have the nerve to go outside.

[B_J 2,752]

So for the ladies on here that have been disrespected, I would like to say I'm sorry, you don't deserve to be treated this way. And please, don't let this taint your vision of men. Not all of us are like this.

It's got to be tough for you, Marvin. It was bad enough when you had to answer for Blacks and Muslims. But now you have to be the spokesman for men everywhere.

Good luck with that.

[Teddy B 17,252]

It's got to be tough for you, Marvin. It was bad enough when you had to answer for Blacks and Muslims. But now you have to be the spokesman for men everywhere.

Good luck with that.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I was walking down the aisle in Walmart the other day, and I overheard two women talking about me. One said, "I bet he is better than a shower massager." I feel so used!

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

It's got to be tough for you, Marvin. It was bad enough when you had to answer for Blacks and Muslims. But now you have to be the spokesman for men everywhere.

Good luck with that.

I truly think as a whole, we tend to get caught up with that pesky generalization that the majority speaks for all of us. Men, minorities, women, etc. It's so easy to classify us as one big conglomerate. To me, I let your actions speak before anything else.

[B_J 2,752]

I truly think as a whole, we tend to get caught up with that pesky generalization that the majority speaks for all of us. Men, minorities, women, etc. It's so easy to classify us as one big conglomerate. To me, I let your actions speak before anything else.

This whole thread has been eye-opening for me. I just can't imagine someone acting like that. If I got the gender wrong when talking to a woman; I would probably be so embarrassed that I'd try to disappear. For it to evolve into what it did is disgusting. I can't blame women for being cautious when a guy says something nice when it seems it has so many times turned into something else entirely. I really don't know what the answer is. I guess it's just more moral decay.

[Operator 1,927]

I really don't know what the answer is.

Is it possible that the answer is to avoid any interaction with members of the opposite sex that are outside of your family or circle of close friends?

There are groups of society that believe this is the appropriate approach.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Is it possible that the answer is to avoid any interaction with members of the opposite sex that are outside of your family or circle of close friends?

There are groups of society that believe this is the appropriate approach.

That would lead to a lot of inbreeding, no?

[Operator 1,927]

That would lead to a lot of inbreeding, no?

We would have to move to arranged marriages because conventional dating would be out of the question.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

We would have to move to arranged marriages because conventional dating would be out of the question.

Perhaps enforcing some sort of ritual courtship would be sufficient.

[Teddy B 17,252]

We would have to move to arranged marriages because conventional dating would be out of the question.

I blame the internet for a lot of this. People don't know how to interact face to face anymore.

Perhaps enforcing some sort of ritual courtship would be sufficient.

Would there be head dresses and human sacrifice?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Would there be head dresses and human sacrifice?

After the marriage is consummated? Are men to be treated as nothing but drones, or food for the widow?