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

[Peikko 1,575]

Oh no, keep it open, I love the sound of misogynists chomping down on their latest victim.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

You want to 'compliment' women because you feel that is something you can contribute to an overall 'niceness' in society. However, what you continually fail to appreciate is that a) if you are complimenting women on how they are looking, that's objectification and b) you do not care if the object of your compliment wants to hear it or not. You have decided it's a good thing so it's a good thing regardless of how the recipient feels (presumably because some women have smiled at you) and you have decided that you are not doing it because of sexual attraction yet it's not appropriate if a older man compliments a teenager and you have failed to say whether you do this in mixed company or if you compliment strange men for looking good as well. Doesn't a man deserve to have his day made by you? It really doesn't matter if you are sincere or not, you are making huge assumptions that someone else is in the least bit interested in your opinion of them. Obviously, people you know are interested but strangers? Why should they care at all what you think? Why should they have to suffer from acute embarrassment or humiliation or fear or anger because of your inability to see what you are doing is unwarranted? I'll repeat it again, 87% of women think your type of 'compliment' is harassment. Do you simply not care what 87% of women think?

Truth,

I spent a nice amount of this morning asking women in this building about this. Some I know, most I didn't. Every last one of them said the same thing. They had no issues with it as long as it's respectful. This was about 10 women, I know three of them. And I've told a few dudes if they had one some nice shoes, or a watch I liked. Or a jacket. The same goes for me, I've had men and women compliment me, I don't get offended by it.

Now, I read the article. And it's clear we're not talking about the same thing. Compliments aren't cuss words. They aren't whistles and cat calls. If a woman wants to call me a pompous ####### because I said her shoes were nice, that's her choice to do so.

And the thing is, you and I usually are in the same ball park. So, if you want to show me where in the article it says complimenting a woman on her shoes or earrings are in the same area as calling a woman the c word, have at it.

Edited April 7, 2014 by Su and Marvin

[mota bhai 2,675]

Oh no, keep it open, I love the sound of misogynists chomping down on their latest victim.

IDK, you come across as pretty loopy too. It's like I'm watching y'all self destruct.

[Peikko 1,575]

IDK, you come across as pretty loopy too. It's like I'm watching y'all self destruct.

Loopy? That's fine, let me be loopy. I have no intention of self destruction though. I have high self esteem so I really do not care what strangers on a message board think about me because of the things I post.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

IDK, you come across as pretty loopy too. It's like I'm watching y'all self destruct.

You rubber necker, you! Leave the woman with some dignity!

[Peikko 1,575]

Truth,

I spent a nice amount of this morning asking women in this building about this. Some I know, most I didn't. Every last one of them said the same thing. They had no issues with it as long as it's respectful. This was about 10 women, I know three of them. And I've told a few dudes if they had one some nice shoes, or a watch I liked. Or a jacket. The same goes for me, I've had men and women compliment me, I don't get offended by it.

Now, I read the article. And it's clear we're not talking about the same thing. Compliments aren't cuss words. They aren't whistles and cat calls. If a woman wants to call me a pompous ####### because I said her shoes were nice, that's her choice to do so.

And the thing is, you and I usually are in the same ball park. So, if you want to show me where in the article it says complimenting a woman on her shoes or earrings are in the same area as calling a woman the c word, have at it.

Look, strangers on the street is the key phrase here. How can you possibly know what your words end up meaning to a strange women no matter what your intentions might be? in the work place, do whatever you like, but on the streets it can be scary, embarrassing, humiliating and the rest. You have no way of knowing how you come across to strangers on a street. Confident people may just wonder what you want from them, but people who are diffident, or people who are constantly harassed by strangers just want to be left alone. Can you seriously not let them be? :People can be nice to each other without all this objectification #######.

[Operator 1,927]

I'd like to know what percentage of the women polled feel that an honest compliment is the same as harassment.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I'd like to know what percentage of the women polled feel that an honest compliment is the same as harassment.

Depends on party affiliation and sexual preference.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Keep the militant lesbianitards out of the sample and it'll be quite low.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Keep the militant lesbianitards out of the sample and it'll be quite low.

I am glad I did not say exactly that.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Look, strangers on the street is the key phrase here. How can you possibly know what your words end up meaning to a strange women no matter what your intentions might be? in the work place, do whatever you like, but on the streets it can be scary, embarrassing, humiliating and the rest. You have no way of knowing how you come across to strangers on a street. Confident people may just wonder what you want from them, but people who are diffident, or people who are constantly harassed by strangers just want to be left alone. Can you seriously not let them be? :People can be nice to each other without all this objectification #######.

I've had women and men compliment my wife on the street on some shoes I got her. It was nice. No leering or objectification. We're talking about someone walking up to her and I and saying, those shoes are amazing, where did you get them? Or, nice dress(she dresses from her country so it's considered exotic). I've been to 17 different countries, I tend to be mindful of what I say since cultures are different and I don't want to be disrespectful and like you said you never know what a person is thinking. So if I say something(which isn't often but I remember every time I've ever did it) I'll say it, and keep moving.

The day after I got married, my mother and I went souvenir in my wife's country. My wife was exhausted from the day before, so I spent the day with my mother. As she was buying her stuff, I was playing Fruit Ninja on my Iphone. My mother asked why the young lady behind the counter was staring at me. She responded she never saw a man with such long eye lashes and it was very attractive to her. I responded with a thank you and kept playing. The lady continued to ask about my eyes and me, which made me a tad bit uncomfortable. Let's just say my mother is still a mom and shut her down.

I don't go around talking to random strangers because I do agree that it can be awkward. It's one sentence and I keep stepping.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'd like to know what percentage of the women polled feel that an honest compliment is the same as harassment.

Giving a woman a compliment on her looks seems a bit dated except under the right circumstances. I think if a woman is receptive of receiving compliments it would be about her achievements rather than the superficiality of outward appearance.

Edited April 7, 2014 by Porterhouse

[sharky-rex 76]

I'd like to know what percentage of the women polled feel that an honest compliment is the same as harassment.

Make a new poll. But make it honest, and mention that we're talking about compliments given to you by a stranger you've never spoken to before, as the first thing they say.

Keep the militant lesbianitards out of the sample and it'll be quite low.

Classy.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Classy.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Is it a compliment when a man says "your a$s is so tight I want to bounce my d*ck on it for hours?"

Should I be yearning for approval like this?

Please, tell me.

Edited April 7, 2014 by Harpa Timsah