Dear Prudence,
I found myself conflicted about something that happened yesterday. While walking through the grocery store parking lot, I passed a man who made eye contact and said, “Excuse me, ma’am, I think you’re really beautiful,” and then went about his business loading his groceries in the car. While I usually give catcallers a piece of my mind, this didn’t feel like a normal catcall and it just didn’t feel appropriate to go off on him. In fact, my direct urge in the moment was to say, “Thank you,” but it still made me feel a little awkward. I gave him what must have been a bewildered look and then kept going. What should my response have been? Am I bad feminist for feeling flattered?
—Catcalled but Not Creeped Out