Are diet trends for everyone?
There is a new diet trend every few months. Whether it's a no carb diet or eating chia seeds with everything. But are these trends actually beneficial?
Sexist jokes aren't just an adult problem
Sexist jokes are pretty common, sometimes we laugh other times we feel alienated. What's concerning is that from such a young age girls are made the butt of a joke and boy are taught to laugh.
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Lately at work, as my friends and I eat our lunches outside, we have spent quite some time perving on the construction workers next door out in the sun. We don’t cat-call or whistle, but our voyeurism has been less then subtle. This got us discussing being stared at ourselves.
While it is not illegal in Australia for construction workers to wolf-whistle to female pedestrians it can be offensive and upsetting.
Not necessarily, according to some of my friends. One commented that a man wolf-whistling at her gives her an ego boost. I found this interesting and a little disconcerting.
It can be intimidating to walk past a group of men who are noticeably judging you. When a stranger comments on your appearance they claim possession of your image and reduce you to an object - no longer a whole person. It can be demeaning and embarrassing. Why, then, do some women find it an assurance to their self-confidence?
Is a cat-call degrading or complimentary?
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A constructive compliment
Does a man making a comment about our attractiveness reassure us that we look ok? Do we need compliments to feel validated? Is it simply a matter of one person acknowledging that the other is attractive or is it a bit more sinister than that?
Just a look or a comment can make you feel incredibly uncomfortable. Why should a woman be subjected to this feeling simply because she happened to walk by? It mightn't be the most dangerous thing that can happen to someone walking down the street, but it can still be upsetting and difficult to deal with.
A blanket ban on construction workers commenting on female passers-by would surely be a positive thing.
Women do not need to be wolf-whistled at to be aware of their self worth. As Annie Stevens from Daily Life explains, "it doesn’t matter if someone is calling you beautiful, saying you have nice legs or, er (sic), calling you sugar tits, street harassment, despite what some might think, is never complimentary.”
A compliment is a gift given in the hope of making the other person feel special. Having a group of men yell out as you walk by is a different thing altogether. I think it is a step forward that this behaviour is now being frowned upon - at least by some. I hope that women reach a stage where this kind of "validation" is unwanted and unnecessary.
In saying that it would be hypocritical of me to say that checking people out should be off limits, there is nothing wrong with giving a little attention to those you find attractive as long as you are not making the person feel uncomfortable.
Maybe we should all take some advice from this ‘Snickers’ add. Snickers paid actors to pretend to be construction workers in Melbourne who then yelled out positive compliments to real women walking past.
Tell us about your cat-calling experiences! Do you think they’re complimentary or degrading?
Interview with a tanning goddess
Learn a little more about fake tans in this interview with tanning technician Sally. She shares her tips on how to make the most of your glow!