Progressive feminist atheist (did you get all that) blogger wants to tell you why you shouldn’t tell random women on the street that they’re hot.

“It seems that men are finally starting to realize that many women do not like street harassment (or, in the parlance of the uninitiated, “unsolicited compliments about a stranger’s appearance”). This is really great and a sign that activists are doing a good job.”

Clear as day: if you give a stranger an unsolicited compliment, you are a harasser.

“So as nice as it would be if all that could be solved by noble, kind-hearted men taking valuable time out of their day to compliment female passerby on their appearance, that’s not gonna happen. Women don’t need men [emphasis mine] to save us from insecurity. We need to stand up and speak out ourselves against the ways in which our culture keeps us fearful and insecure, and the ways in which we help it to do so.”

This sounds like a score for the Strong and Independent™ crowd.

What the author fails to note, however, is the fact that an aptly-spoken compliment might just brighten (or make) someone’s day. It’s encouraging to validate each other, not because we’re dependent on compliments, but because we recognize each other’s completeness.

“That’s also why when a woman wears revealing clothes, it’s okay, in our society, to assume that she’s “looking for attention” or that she’s a slut and wants to sleep with a bunch of guys. Because why elsewould a woman wear revealing clothes if not for the benefit of men and to communicate her sexual availability to them, right?”

I agree with the obvious truth: A woman who wears revealing clothes is not automatically looking for the nearest man to jump their bones.

However, for the sake of honesty, is the author willing to concede that there are some women who do have a dominant motive to look for attention and communicate sexual availability?

Usually, there are two camps: men who say “women are just dressing this way for attention!” and women who cannot fathom what they are doing. Both sides are incorrect in making such absolutes, and a specific percentage is up to a debate that I won’t partake in.

“The result of all this is that many men, even kind and well-meaning men, believe, however subconsciously, that women’s bodies are for them. They are for them to look at, for them to pass judgment on, for them to bless with a compliment if they deign to do so. They are not for women to enjoy, take pride in, love, accept, explore, show off, or hide as they please.”

This is an obvious stretch. Passing by a woman and celebrating her beauty do not equate to an ownership/judgmental mentality that the author so claims.

However, assume that she’s correct in her assessment. Does this entitlement attitude cross gender barriers into the strength of a man? Is it possible that an unknown woman who asks me to lift a heavy object or fix the car for her believes that a man’s physical power is hers when she finds convenient? Can she hide it when she wants?

Perhaps our generation suffers from an entitlement problem altogether. If the author realizes such, then a man giving a stranger a compliment is more so a symptom, rather than a significant problem requiring tireless work of anti-harassment activists.

“When you compliment a random woman who doesn’t know you, no matter how nice you are about it, there’s a good chance she’s going to freak out internally because for all she knows, you could be that latter type. “But if you’re going to lay the blame for that somewhere, don’t blame the woman.”

This last paragraph sums up the attitude of the writer quite well: I will tell you men what not to do, I will tell women what they should and should not like (as if they’re all the same), and I will hold you men responsible for all actions and resulting consequences, including her feelings.

When it comes to articles like these, I will also hold you men responsible for one thing: believing it. The frustrated, confused, good man will go away from this believing he has been a harasser all hi life for giving unsolicited compliments, and he will feel the need to apologize to ALL women on account of perpetuating this rape culture.

He will experience an even deeper sense of confusion when he stumbles upon an article that encourages him to compliment women he doesn’t know. After all, he has soaked up every free thought (no pun intended) without carefully considering the truth of the matter, or the author’s integrity.

Is there a real problem with unsolicited compliments?

Perhaps, depending on your motive. A drive by, detail-oriented line of praise is likely to be appreciated. A random “you’re hot” is no different from what she may hear every day, and it will likely be more of an annoyance.

The real “problem,” if any, comes with one question: what do I want out of this interaction? If you want to tell a woman she’s beautiful because you’re needy and you hope it will get you somewhere with her, you should rethink your efforts.

Yes, it’s fine to compliment a woman if you ultimately wish to speak to her. Just be sure to introduce yourself after. Also note that a compliment given right away should be genuine. You are, afterall, giving a piece of praise as a separate transaction.

Lastly, don’t give your attention away like valueless currency. Reserve the best compliments for attitude and personality, once you get to know her.

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

PG