So, what does everyone think of Cat Person?

Question

To lighten the mood, I decided I wanted to talk about a certain short story that’s been causing a lot of buzz centering around a bad, bad date. I personally found it a relatable and interesting cautionary tale about not relying on one’s idea of a person and making sure to speak up and take action. I also found it intriguing because there really isn’t a ‘bad’ person in the story, just misguided ones.
As an author, (well, more like ‘author’) I enjoyed the style too. 
Here’s the link if you haven’t read it!
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/12/11/cat-person/amp

Answer

I thought what was most interesting was when the story highlighted how much energy women spend interpreting and worrying about and managing the feelings of others at their own expense. Essentially devaluing or not prioritizing themselves because they are worried about the other person or how they might be perceived by the other person. To me, it’s an internalization of a misogynistic culture. Patterns of belief and thinking are so ingrained into who we are that we don’t even consciously understand what we are doing when we do it. I think the conversation now is part of its undoing, but, like changes in racial issues, it takes decades and decades for real shifts to occur.

Answer

Loved it! It was super relatable and I think it’s something a lot of women have gone through.

Answer

I found it well written, but thoroughly depressing.

Answer

I just read it. I think I liked it. I did find it quite relatable especially how she built up all these ideas about what he was thinking and ended up with a completely different picture of who he actually was. 
Unsurprising needlessly defensive reaction from men as can be seen on the “men react to cat person” (@mencatperson) twitter account.

Answer

I hadn't heard about it until I saw this post. So, I read it. I enjoyed it and wouldn't might reading a book by the writer of the story. 
I honestly felt repulsed when I imagined the guy from the story. I've had my share of bad dates, and can honestly say I relate.

Answer

Shockingly realistic. Made me think of how attitudes toward sex create these kind of depressing exchanges. If sex were meaningful and not on the table so quickly, this wouldn't be an issue (so-called polite sex with a stranger who disgusts you, or being really hurt because a stranger you slept with once now wants nothing to do with you). I mean, if you don't know if you're date is going to kill you one moment and you're going home with him the next, you're probably making a bad life decision. The real problem is these people don't know each other and they are ready to engage in a very intimate encounter with only guesses about who the other is and what the other wants. I get the feeling both are hurt at the end. And this is pretty normal as far as "dating" goes these days. It's normal for emotional intimacy to develop over time and in an ideal world, sex would follow that. Today, I think it's rough out there if you're following the standard script of hopping to it really quickly...

Answer

I’ve had very similar experiences and I know others who have as well & tbh it makes me nauseous and sad. It was very well written tho and so in that aspect, I do like it.

Answer

I'm still digesting it...

So, what does everyone think of Cat Person?

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