It’s too damn hot out for catcalling

Lately, the heat and humidity has been off the charts and we all can’t stand it. But what’s even worse is when men think it’s OK to cat call at me, or women in general, which is the last thing we want to deal with. I live in NYC (AKA the most crowded, humid city to ever walk in) and there have been way too many times when men have come up to me asking for money, selling candy, or even just to flirt.

I’ve heard all the whistling, shouts, and sexual comments, and I’m here to tell you that it’s just too DAMN HOT outside for all of that.

This one particular time was a Friday – the last day of a long work week – and all I wanted to do was go home and take a cold shower. I was sweaty and felt disgusting. The train that I take home was delayed by 30 minutes, and the train station felt like a burning oven. I had my headphones in and was blasting “Cheap Thrills” by Sia (one of the only songs capable of taking my mind off things).

Then a young man selling candy approached me and asked if I wanted to buy some. I said “no, thank you” two times and he just kept asking.

That’s when he started getting closer to me, and started smirking at me saying “You know you want some sugar.” That’s when I realized this guy was not taking ‘no’ for an answer and I had to stop him right there. So I bluntly said to him, “I told you ‘no’ two times already. What else don’t you get about that?!” he laughed and walked away. I was fed up and was ready to rant about it.

Although the trains have A.C., it doesn’t help when the train is super crowded making the air heavy. At time like these it feels like all you are breathing in is sweaty odors that people carry from their long days of being outside.

Some men take the crowded train as an opportunity to get even closer to you, and all I can think is “even you can’t be this desperate.”

I don’t even like it when my own boyfriend hugs me in this heat, so what makes you think I want you invading my small, personal space in a crowded, hot train?

We have the right to wear shorts, skirts, dresses and whatever else we want in this kind of weather – but we shouldn’t have to deal with men catcalling at us or getting super close to us. I don’t care if you’re trying to sell candy or think you are just being ‘polite’ with your uncomfortable remarks. We are already tired and frustrated from the heat waves and our makeup running. It’s all getting out of control.

And no, I’m not being ‘crazy’ or too ‘touchy.’ I’m being blunt because this isn’t the first time it’s happened.

Think about the stories you will tell your future children of how you met their mother or your wife. I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t want to start with “I hit her up while she was sweating on the train and she desperately tried to back away from me.”

So men, do you have any more stupid catcalling remarks? Actually, regardless of sweat, just stop the catcalling in general – we don’t want it or need it.