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Original poster

How do you feel about being whistled at on the street?

137 replies

TheBolans · 17/08/2026 08:32

Do you find it a compliment or a form of harassment?

I saw a discussion with a woman saying people need to get a grip if it bothers them because whistling is harmless. I think if I got the odd whistle every now again at this age, I wouldn’t mind, but back when I was a teenager/early 20s I didn’t like it. It was usually never just whistling. It’s usually shouting crude comments too and so found it degrading and embarrassing. But some seem to think it should be taken as a compliment

OP posts:
ShannonMacFarland · 17/08/2026 08:39

It really used to intimidate me when I was younger. Now I'm in my thirties it rarely happens thankfully. Disturbing to recall how many grown men were so comfortable harassing an unconfident, uncomfortable female child.

Beachlover1993 · 17/08/2026 08:38

When i was younger i didnt like the idea, now that im older i dont mind it and take it as a compliment.
A couple of years ago we had a major house builder near to where i live, it was summer time and certainly was not short of attention during that time

Sartre · 17/08/2026 08:38

It was never just a whistle though, it was loud horn beeping and shouting which often made me jump. I still get it sometimes now when running, I always have headphones in but the horns break through. Someone did it to me a few weeks ago in a stationary car right next to me, made me jump out of my skin.

I don’t know if men ever think this behaviour is endearing in some way, or attractive. I don’t know what they think really but it’s just embarrassing.

TheGoddessFrigg · 17/08/2026 08:38

It happened most when I was under 16- so I didn't see it as 'harmless'. More intimidating and meant to be.

MoistVonL · 17/08/2026 08:38

I was glad I aged out of it. I hated it when I was young.

Softcream · 17/08/2026 08:36

It's not ok.

TallSturdyGirls · 17/08/2026 08:36

I hated it when younger and now I just think fuck off.

ifonly4 · 17/08/2026 08:36

Recently I felt guilty! It was definitely aimed at me as no one else around and they commented on my long hair - I didn't dare turn about as I'm 59 and they'd have been greatly disappointed!

Bikenutz · 17/08/2026 08:36

It’s never acceptable behaviour.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 17/08/2026 08:35

It's not harmless. It's an imposition, forcing themselves onto the woman's attention because they feel entitled to it.

Springtimeinsunshine · 17/08/2026 08:35

It was degrading and I'm glad it's now a crime. As you said, it was never just a whistle but lots of disgusting comments came with it. And jeers. Oh my gawd, the jeers and the leers.

Pibblegirls · 17/08/2026 08:34

When I was younger it was constant and I hated it. It made me feel mortified and like a piece of meat.

Now I’m older and confident I’d just find it amusing - hasn’t happened for a while though. And the kind of men who do this are generally misogynistic Neanderthals so it’s hardly a compliment!