01The gesture and its expected meaning
A noise produced by making a small pout with the lips and exhaling a light breath - or combining this movement with a lip-sucking noise - to attract someone's attention, typically a woman. In Latin America (Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil), this process functions as a discreet social call tinged with light flirtation or courtesy. It does not carry an intrinsically aggressive sexual charge, but is part of urban sociality, where calling without shouting is still valued.
02Where things go wrong: the geography of misunderstanding
In the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, France, Germany, Scandinavia and urban Asia, kiss-calling is universally interpreted as street harassment, catcalling. The noise is read as an attempt to reduce a woman to her body, a transgression of personal respect, and a vocal assault. Since the 2010s and the #MeToo movement, zero tolerance has been the order of the day.
03Historical background
Kissing calls are part of pre-urban repertoires where affective orality dominated. In Latin America, it persists as a residue of familiar, dancing urban sociality. In English-speaking and Nordic societies, urban silence codified since the end of the 19th century has created an inverted taboo: any unauthorized sound call is perceived as a transgression. The divergence became more marked in the twentieth century with the gradual criminalization of catcalling.
04famous documented incidents
- New York, 2010s: "Hollaback!" awareness campaigns systematically document street harassment and kiss-calling. Criminal behavior in some jurisdictions ().
05Practical recommendations
- Do: Latin American context only.
- Never do: use in North America, Europe, Asia - universally perceived as harassment.
- Alternatives: respectful verbal appeal, eye contact, explicit request.
Geography of misunderstanding
Offensive
- usa
- canada
- uk
- ireland
- australia
- new-zealand
- france
- germany
- netherlands
- belgium
- scandinavian-countries
- japan
- south-korea
- china-continental
Neutral
- mexico
- guatemala
- honduras
- el-salvador
- costa-rica
- panama
- cuba
- dominican-republic
- colombia
- venezuela
- brazil
- peru
- argentina
Not documented
- peuples-autochtones
Historical origins
Residue of pre-industrial urban sociality. Persists in Latin America. Tabooed in North America since late 19th c. Gradually criminalized (U.S. 2010+).
Practical recommendations
To do
- En Amérique latine : usage contextuel acceptable.
- Partout ailleurs : éviter absolument.
Avoid
- Ne JAMAIS utiliser en Amérique du Nord, Europe, Asie : harcèlement grave.
Neutral alternatives
- Gentle, respectful voice call.
- Eye contact only.