I used to think that I was One of Those Girls Who is Never Catcalled. I accepted it as my lot in life and sort of made it part of my identity.
And then I moved to Berkeley and … now I get attention/compliments from strangers all the time?
Like, I wouldn’t have predicted a geographical difference in that direction, and even if there is a geographical difference I can’t imagine it could be this stark?
I’m almost tempted to throw up my hands and attribute it to some kind of voodoo magic analogous to “radiant happiness” (FW), “producing serotonin” (JBP), etc.