I don't mind compliments, just silently staring or making rude gestures is creepy.
I find that the least intimidating and least inappropriate way for me to play it off is to smile softly and then look away in a relaxed and passive manner. The smile tends to be returned and that's that. Probably the only time it's more difficult is when it's dark and a woman is on her own walking past me. I tend to move away towards the other side of the pavement and let her past. Sometimes we will give each other a knowing look, because I recognize how shytty guys can be when women are on their own going down the street at night time, particularly in certain areas of London.
To tie into this I think that women wouldn't talk about it this much if men were objectified in the same way. Men don't want that. Do you know how many people have complained about my eggplant thread, but who participate in and enjoy the many threads here that objectify women (
@SuperCoolP_Cal comes to mind), yet most women here don't complain about those threads. Dudes don't like it when "beauty standards" are placed on them.
I've seen that more in real life - hell, I've even experienced it. I remember when girls we grew up around all wanted us to have our hair long and look like Omarion - I
hated B2K when I was young
. It puts the shoe on the other foot, which - while isn't necessarily a good thing either - at least allows a young man to understand just a microcosm of a woman's experience. Just a small smidgen though, as I can never really understand that experience.
I feel like most feminists get misunderstood in all honesty. Any time I've spoken at length with one, it's been relatively easy for me to understand where she's coming from without taking offense to her critique of men - most ideologies tend to have different branches within and feminism is no different. Much like listening to Classical music - some people prefer the technical qualities of Baroque or Renaissance compositions, but I prefer the Romantic Era. To some people, it's all "classical shyt that I don't listen to
". I feel like guys take that attitude with feminism.
Also, many feel feminism has a hand in destroying the nuclear family unit, but is that the only acceptable way to exist in society?
stare until you finally look up at them and then they think it's an invitation to come talk to you. So I have to try to avoid eye contact with people when I'm out and about.
I'm clearly fukking with you something you seem to enjoy. 
