Getting Cat-Called In Different Countries 😘
Many of my previous international travels were when I was in a relationship. Therefore, being a single solo traveler is a new experience.
My first solo trip as a single woman was in July 2020 to Juneau, Alaska. No one bothered me on that trip. Probably due mostly to the fact that I was bundled up in a coat and scarf! I think it is safe to assume that cold weather adversely affects being cat-called.
Fast forward a year to the summer of 2021, I took my first international solo trip to South America. Getting mistaken as a Carioca (local Río girl) was the biggest compliment I could have ever received! Río has a completely different culture in comparison to America. It was eye opening to see how free and open everyone was with their romantic expressions. There was an abundance of love in the streets of Río that made me feel incredibly accepted and desired. One of the many reasons Río is my favorite place in the world!
Adversely, most of the cat-calling I experienced during my time in Paraguay was when I was in the backseat of an Uber. My rider score took a massive hit during my time in Asunción! Why? Because each time I declined giving my WhatsApp to the driver, I’d get penalized with a low rating. One of the many reasons why Paraguay is my least favorite place in the world! Dramatic - I know and intended.
In Colombia, I was approached predominately by other Americans. Medellín is full of gorgeous women - so for the most part I was left alone. 😅
In Ecuador, I towered over most people in the city feeling like a chocolate covered gentle giant. After recovering from altitude sickness, I finally left my hotel and had a cute coffee date with a local I met on Tinder. We weren’t a love match, but it was an incredibly insightful way to learn about the culture of Quito.
Peru was interesting because it was my first hostel stay! I met so many people during the hostel’s nightly parties. Otherwise, I kept my head down and enjoyed my solo week in Lima. No one bothered me on the streets which made me feel very safe. 😌
My Greek experience only featured the islands and not the mainland, but I saw some of the best looking men. 😍 Although, our interactions were brief and only included quick exchanges of compliments and Instagram accounts, I knew that my next visit to Greece had to be longer.
During my time in Italy, I noticed that men were much more assertive. If I smiled or gave extended amounts of eye contact, then I had better prepare myself for an approach.
While on the train from Venezia to Trieste, I noticed a handsome man. I smiled and complimented him on his style. He beamed and immediately asked for my WhatsApp. He wanted to grab dinner, but I was so focused on starting my cruise adventure that I declined. Surprisingly, I ran into him again as I was enjoying my breakfast - post cruise! It was so nice to see a familiar and handsome face as I was leaving the quiet city of Trieste and heading to the bustling city of Milan.
Arriving in Milan was a complete culture shock. While on the Mediterranean cruise, I had only a handful of land interactions, but when I stepped onto the streets of Milan, the Italian men did not hold back!
One man I spotted ahead of me during my daily walks immediately put me on high alert. I couldn’t tell if he was homeless, drunk or both. But when he exposed this belly for vigorous scratching, I thought to myself - oh, he definitely won’t try anything. Boy, was I wrong! He tried to start a conversation with me in Italian, of course. This was a great time to not be familiar with the local language.
I did end up having a really nice dinner with a guy I met on Tinder and it reminded me that there are literally billions of men in the world. Men who want relationships. Men who want to wine and dine. Men who are kind and generous. Men who aren’t afraid to show and tell you what they are feeling. Men who love to travel and want the same things in life that I want.
If you’re single and you’re feeling discouraged about your options, then get out of your rut. I can guarantee you’re probably looking for new opportunities in the same places. If I’m wrong about this, then leave a comment below. But if I’m right, then get out there and explore! You don’t necessarily have to leave the country, but try a new bar in a different part of the city. If you’re only on dating apps, then get outside in the real world. I assure you that even if you don’t meet your next romantic interest, you’ll at least open your eyes to the possibilities of meeting someone new just by getting out of your comfort zone.