Halloween Tip: Bodies Are Beautiful And Deserve Respect

First of all, this is not a post about whether or not sexualizing any profession is wise — that argument can be taken up elsewhere, because it’s a different topic. I want to simply talk about the fun of being a character/someone else for a night.

Dressing up…it’s a blast and a half. And, with many of the costumes being nicknamed “slutty _____” — cop, nurse, whatever you choose- here is a friendly reminder to both men and women (ladies, we shame people, too):

JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE IS DRESSED IN A REVEALING COSTUME, DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE DOING IT FOR YOU. IT DOES NOT GIVE YOU THE RIGHT TO CALL THEM NAMES, OR ACT IN A RUDE MANNER.

Now, a lot of people argue, “But, the woman/man WANTED that attention, if they dressed that way.”
Funny you should say that. Does that also mean if someone dresses like a football player, it gives me the right to slap him on the ass like one of his teammates? Or, to comment on the size of his “cup” and suggest we huddle outside, even if he’s been avoiding me all night? Perhaps, if a man is wearing tights for his costume — it also means I’m allowed to say, “Is that real? Let’s see more, handsome.” — again, even if he hasn’t shown ANY interest in me, at all?

Bodies are beautiful. Yet — we’re taught by society to hate ourselves (EXCEPT FOR ON HALLOWEEN — when a lot of people feel empowered to dress differently — and have the permission from society to feel confident about that), so ya know what? If someone wants to dress as “slutty jail bird” — more power to ’em if they feel good about themselves — that’s not MY decision to make. The fact remains, unsolicited comments are still that…unsolicited. Want to compliment someone? Strike up a conversation. Learn their name. Ask them how they came up with their costume idea. Maybe ask them their favorite costume, ever. Tell them you like their costume — and do it whilst refraining from looking them up and down head to toe as if they are a piece of meat you’re going to hunt down later. This strategy would make all parties involved feel a lot more at ease.

Best of luck, and stay safe, friends!

:) erica