Catcalling and the Open Road

I’ve said it before: I take comments on my appearance in the spirit in which those comments are intended.  It is my perspective that catcalling, yelling at strangers about their bodies, is meant to be offensive, even if the words or gestures used are complimentary.  Catcalling is often done from a position of power, (from inside of a car or building, or above the person being catcalled) in a way that the person being catcalled can’t really respond, and despite what is said or implied, the result is often to objectify the person being catcalled.

I’ve been catcalled many times in my life.  Generally, if the words or gestures used aren’t offensive, I ignore them and go about my day as usual.  I don’t like being catcalled and never consider it a compliment.  I’ve not gotten used to it, but it has gotten easier and easier to ignore.

It only becomes surprising when the catcalling takes place in a new venue.  It’s during these new experiences with catcalling that I’m again reminded how offensive it can really be.

A few days ago, I drove across a few Southern states alone on a road frequented by many, many truckers.  This was the first time in a very long time that I’ve driven long distances while alone in my car in warm weather.  It was quite hot out, so I was wearing a sleeveless top and running shorts.

Six semi-drivers in six hours made a show of honking at me and, effectively, catcalling me from within their rigs.  At first, I thought they were honking because I was passing them and they thought I was going to enter their lane too early even though I gave no indications of that.  Finally, after one honked, I changed lanes, looked in my mirror and saw that the trucker was gesturing that he liked my appearance.

Like other instances of catcalling, it made me very uncomfortable.  The car I was driving would have crumbled against a run-in with a semi, so I wasn’t about to risk flipping these catcallers off.  The truckers, above me and in vehicles that were much heavier, had a power advantage over me and I was essentially helpless in doing anything but igoring the catcalls (and speeding to get away) to show my displeasure in them.

I think was most surprised about catcalling on the open road because I assumed that because I was within the structure of a car, physically removed and not quite as public as I am when I’m out of the house, I wouldn’t have to worry about people objectifying me as much.  That assumption is dead wrong.

Has anyone experienced this type of catcalling?  Are there any effective strategies to show displeasure at catcalling that won’t get me squished like a bug if I happen to run up against a trucker with a rage problem?  Is catcalling on the road better/worse/similar to other kinds of catcalling?  What are your thoughts?