Before I get started on the aftermath of the Blog-a-thon ’06 of the Blank Noise Project, here’s how open-minded I am ;-)! No, I am not taking precautionary bail, well maybe I am, but hey, just so you know :-D!

You Are 60% Open Minded

You are a very open minded person, but you’re also well grounded. Tolerant and flexible, you appreciate most lifestyles and viewpoints. But you also know where you stand firm, and you can draw that line. You’re open to considering every possibility – but in the end, you stand true to yourself.

How Open Minded Are You?

The Blank Noise Project had made a Blog a thon, for the cause of eve-teasing for women! A lotta people blogged on the day, 7th March! Unfortunately, I couldn’t take part for the same as I was kinda tied up with some other things! Anyhoo, I read quite a few of ’em blogs and well, here is my conclusion! Just for the record, I am guy and yes, I do look at women!

A lotta people agree that eve-teasing is a crime!

Phew, at least one aspect of the blog-a-thon was a success! However, I think that blog-a-thon failed in ONE aspect – discerning b/w eve-teasing and normal ogling! As I was kinda confused as to where the mark b/w “admiring” a girl and “eve-teasing” her lay, I decided to take a “define: eve teasing” in Google and guess what popped up! Well, I’d rather you see it for yourself – “define: eve teasing“. If you noticed, it’s from Wikipedia, more or less _the_ source, which is more or less read by a million, heck over a billion people online! And what pops up there??

Eve teasing is a euphemism used in India for sexual harassment or molestation of women by men. Considered a growing problem throughout the subcontinent, eve teasing ranges in severity from sexually coloured remarks to outright groping. Some guidebooks to the region warn female tourists that eve teasing may be avoided by wearing conservative clothing, though eve teasing is reported both by Indian women and by conservatively-dressed foreign women.

[source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eve_teasing]

It’s a rising problem in India? What about the rest of the world? Agreed that Wikipedia points out that the sources are NOT cited, but it’s still a black mark, a taint, a stigma that Indians have to bear! That kinda made me think! I wasn’t exactly giving the “problems” that Indian women face too much thought! Yes, I did read Div’s thoughts! Yes, I read through sukhi’s point of view as well! But, never did it register onto me that men are branded in general as “filthy pigs” for the wont of a better word!! People generally see us as “molesters” and “criminals” [Yes, eve-teasing is a crime that can be punished]!

Well, to be honest, I have never eve-teased someone, especially by hooting or passing audible lewd comments etc. And for that matter, I don’t think I have ever received that particular stare that a lotta people did talk about – the “if looks could kill, I am dead” stare! Yet, in spite of the inexperience, I do know of people who have undergone the same – girls who have been eve-teased, and guys who have been given the dirty look! However, I do look at girls, and at times, when they take my breath away, I tend to stare open-mouthed in wonder, as noticed by the girls with who I usually hang out with! I also know of cases where in girls have passed comments on guys!

So, honestly I don’t have any opine on this particular subject except that I do consider it wrong to harass a woman! But, at the same time, I don’t think it’s a crime to look at women! After all, I am straight and I do appreciate the fairer sex!

Here’s a pretty diplomatic say on the topic – Magneta’s view! I think it’s sensible enough and it caters to my need of not going to the extreme ends – a feminist, or a male-chauvinist!

More importantly, we DO NEED to somehow curb this stigma affecting our nation!! How dare they say that EVE-TEASING is a problem in India alone?? I completely disagree with it! In other countries, probably people do the same thing, but either the opp sex does not mind it or it’s considered ok there! I completely question the credibility of it happening ONLY in India and am pretty much aggravated over the very accusation!