AN OPEN LETTER TO A DUDE IN A TRUCK

Dear Old Dude in the truck that slowed to an almost stop, just to whistle at me and take off again as I was mowing my lawn,

I want to explain to you how this made me feel. Just a warning, this won't be short or dumbed down for your simple mind.

I am an single independent women (yes, cue Beyoncé) I have three kids which I raise all on my own. They are inside the house right now. (Destroying it no doubt) I'm embarrassed for you that they would have seen this display of degradation towards me, their mum.

I have a chronic illness which leaves me in pain and very tired, but, I want to set a good example for my kids and show them that I can look after them and do everything I need to regardless of my illness. I want to teach them that nothing in life should stop you. What I don't want to teach them is that by doing a normal everyday chore you will be subjected to mindless badgering from a dirty old man.

If I were a man mowing the lawns you wouldn't have given me a second thought. It's not that unusual for a women to mow the lawns is it? Really?
So why do you feel you have the right to whistle at me with a seedy grin when I'm in my own home doing something that is so mediocre to trillions of people in the world. I, unlike most men that take care of the lawns, do not get to go inside and sit down when I'm finished. I have to tackle the mayhem that only three unsupervised children can cause in 40 minutes. I won't have a break later in the evening as I will then have to cook dinner. After dinner I will be cleaning up, bathing children, reading stories and fighting in the never ending bedtime battle. ON MY OWN.

Again, your whistle baffles me, I was not parading around in skimpy tight clothing, I'm sweating and puffing with a blotchy red face as I push the mower through the grass that should have been cut weeks ago, but wasn't as I was unwell and simply to busy. I'm wearing a dirty old T-shirt and am rather disturbed to think you find this sexy.

I think you are the reason women find it hard in this world to do simple things without hesitation. You are the reason women feel uncomfortable in their own skin. Your stupid whistle sets women back so far from where we have come.

I will not stop being amazing because of your whistle, I will not stop teaching my three children that women can do anything a man can do, I will not stop teaching my son not to degrade women.

Im sure you would feel ashamed if I could stop you and tell you this, put a story to what you see as just a chick to whistle at. I hope you don't have a son or daughter that learns from your behaviours.

Sincerely

The chick you whistled at.