Anyone else experienced the kind of harassment you feel you can’t object to? The kind you’re expected to take as a compliment?
I frequently have men of varying ages (all adults though) come up to me and tell me I’m pretty, gorgeous, dressed up like I’m going somewhere and the person I’m seeing must be lucky etc. I feel like I can’t object because the words coming out of their mouths seem nice, but the situation can feel threatening despite that. Also, I’m hoping they don’t realise this because I’m tall, but I’m only 16 so they really shouldn’t be talking to me, and this started when I was 11. Even if I were a grown woman I don’t think it should be ok. Random men shouldn’t have the right to comment on my appearance whenever they feel like it. It shouldn’t always be on me to gauge the potential danger of these situations.
How should you react to this kind of behaviour? Does anyone have any good responses? Girls my age have told me I’m overreacting, that they enjoy this kind of comment. I’m tired of just ignoring it but I don’t know what to say. I hate that my first instinct is always to say thank you- why are women taught to be so fucking polite all the time?