Why do men shout at women in the street?

Last week, a pair of trackie-clad juveniles walked passed me and shouted "Oi sexy legs, fancy showing us a good time?" I looked at the pair of wretched chav-tastic teens in shock and shook my head in utter disbelief. Did these monstrous cretins actually just say that to me? These morons had the unmitigated gall to look into my pretty brown eyes and ask me if I would show them a good time? What is the world coming to.

Not that I have an exaggerated opinion of myself but you should have seen the state of them. Kitted out in manky hoodies, moody gold Elizabeth Duke jewellery and sporting weedy facial hair the cat could lick off. Think a fugly version of Dappy from N-Dubz and you'd be half way there. They were absolutely abhorrent to me.

Don't get me wrong, I've heard worse. A million-times worse actually and I wont repeat them here. But what bugs me the most about these hecklers is their sheer audacity. At what point did these rotten lads think I'd be flattered? Where do they get off saying things like that? And it prompted me to think, why do men shout at women in the street?

For as long as I can remember strange men and boys have said things to me in public. From catcalls to wolf whistles, crude remarks and bizarrely hilarious comments, I've had a plenty barked at me in passing.

But what I don't understand is, why bother? Has anyone ever responded favourably to that kind of come on? Seriously, show me a girl who would be bowled over by that kind of crass chat-up line.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy compliments just as much as the next gal. Take the wolf-whistle for instance. As immature and tasteless as it is, I don't really find it offensive.

That's the kind of unwanted attention I can let go and sometimes it can make your day a little bit better. But there's a difference between 'You look nice today' and 'Show us your boobs love.' It's the latter I find upsetting.

I know I'm not alone because street harassment is an everyday reality to thousands of women. When it happens to me, I instantly feel self-conscious. It's not charming, it's actually the opposite and I'll often walk along with my head down trying to avoid drawing attention to myself. And what's worse, there's not a lot you can do about it. Who do you complain to? Has anyone ever tried reasoning with these fools? Tried ignoring them? When I shouted at my tormentors they just said I was being hyper-sensitive.

Some would say I shouldn't complain and the heckling is just a downside of being a moderately attractive woman, but after observing a few of these uncouth creeps for a while I realised it has nothing to do with physical attractiveness. Some guys will literally just hang around on street corners shouting at every pair of bum cheeks which stride past. Gorgeous or grotesque.

If I was wearing an ass-skimming skirt, sky-high heels and a low-cut top, I might understand getting the odd few looks from fellas. You could argue I was inviting the attention. But no one can say I was turned out provocatively that day and most of the time it happens I'm not dressed for sex in anyway shape or form. I mean I've had comments when I've been in my gym gear, hair slapped back and a bare face. And when that happens you've just got to laugh and think, Christ, doesn't take much to impress you does it pal?

I don't want to live in a world which does nothing to discourage men from heckling, following  or grabbing women in public spaces. Because frankly, it's just not on. Doesn’t everybody have the right to walk down a street without being viewed as a piece of meat?

Well let me tell you lads, once and for all, your behaviour isn't cool or clever and it certainly isn't attractive. It's the lowest of the low. I can only assume these guys see a lone female and get sheer joy out of making a girl feel uncomfortable.

I'm sure there are men reading this now and thinking women can just be as bad and I'm not narrow minded enough to think taunting doesn't happen to them too. It probably does, albeit very rarely. But I can certainly say in all my years I have NEVER walked past a guy and shouted: "Look at the lunchbox on him." If I genuinely thought a guy was a hot piece of ass, the last thing I would do was tell him! Oh, the shame!

So boys, I'm not saying you have to ignore beautiful women, but if you saw an attractive lady in the street wouldn't it be better to simply give them a glance, smile and enjoy the view, instead of making lewd remarks and crude comments about her appearance?

And going back to my original question, why do men shout at women in the street? Well, who's knows but I'm opening the debate. Are there any men out there willing to get in touch and explain? Tweet me @MissElissaC

Oh and I'm signing off with a plea...please Stop it, Now!