Flattered or Offended

The other day it was really hot; the sun was burning and the breeze wasn't one of those really nice refreshing cool breeze that sometimes relieves you from that furnace. It was the type of day that you don't want to go outside because the heat makes you so sleeping and you have the chance of falling asleep in the bus, if the bus wasn't as pungent. Anyway, on that day, I decided to wear a dress to university... While I was walking to the bus stop, a car slowed down, and the male driver tooted his horn and gave me the thumbs up. I ended up catching the bus feeling self-conscious and worried if my outfit was too revealing.

When talking to some female friends of mine, I discovered that they have experienced similar scenarios. And I don't know if we should feel flattered that someone thinks we look good in a particular outfit, or if we should feel offended that we have been objectified in such a manner. It is really a question I began pondering on, and then I remembered how this guy's actions made me feel (quoting myself from before) "feeling self-conscious and worried if my outfit was too revealing." I shouldn't have to feel any of that; on a hot day and I decide to wear a dress, I shouldn't have to stress about the fact that some guy is going to make me feel like a a library book.

 I'm not going to rant for too long about how women shouldn't have to deal with this degradation put upon us by a minority of guys out there, but I just want to say: I personally don't think it is okay for a random guy to slow down his car, toot their horn and give thumbs up at a random girl on the street. I'm not saying you can't admire someone, but be a bit more respectful... And my rant is done.