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Is wolf-whistling a sex crime?

(537 Posts)
annsixty Tue 28-Apr-15 08:46:40

The DT is reporting that police are investigating after a young woman complained after "lecherous" builders whistled at her. At risk of being shot down, when I was young and in my prime I would have complained if they didn't whistle at me.

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 02-May-15 13:52:41

"There is too much vitriol nowadays on GN and we have lost some of our best characters because some people will not let a subject drop and are unable to see things from any other point of view but their own prejudiced position. It must be wonderful to be so certain of one's own opinion!" (quoting Kittylester)

That is rubbish. Are we not allowed to stay strong on our beliefs? Must we roll over and say "oh, you may be right" just to keep the peace on Gransnet.

Boooring!!!

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 02-May-15 13:54:08

And I haven't noticed the absence of any of these "best characters", so they can't have been that good. hmm

loopylou Sat 02-May-15 13:59:51

jingl IMO there's a big difference between robust debate and personal attacks/downright rudeness/vicious personal comments, all of which have been posted on this thread.

pompa had his strong beliefs, voiced them and was unfairly personally
attacked, as were others in agreement with him.

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 02-May-15 14:01:50

I want to know about this email. Copy and paste anyone?

Why didn't HQ just respond on the thread?

Ana Sat 02-May-15 14:04:22

The only email was the usual GN Newsletter, jingl...

kittylester Sat 02-May-15 14:12:17

Have you not spotted the absence of ga, jingl, amongst others! And Annsixty has said she is leaving too! Appalling that they feel unwelcome and with no option but to withdraw! angry

loopylou Sat 02-May-15 14:16:50

sad sad sad

Nelliemoser Sat 02-May-15 14:33:25

loopylou you comment on. GrannyTwice Fri 01-May-15 22:00:11

I did not see how GTs remark in that post could be slander (it was not actually spoken) but it didn't seem at all libelous to me.
GT said
"No it's not just you - *it's what happens when sleazy sexist jokes and comments are greeted with delight and encouraged by other posters. It's pathetic - imagine this 'man' leching after your own dd or dgd as they walked by. Yuk!" *

As this is written as it's what happens when that remark is just hypothetical no one has been accused of anything.

loopylou Sat 02-May-15 14:35:57

I stand corrected blush

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 02-May-15 14:38:20

They should be like the Turtles. Develop a hard shell.

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 02-May-15 14:39:18

And of course they have other options than to flounce withdraw.

GillT57 Sat 02-May-15 14:41:42

Well, I had stayed of this thread for a few days as I didnt like the way it was going, and having skim read the last few days worth I still dont like it. It has descended into sexist bullying and a complete lack of understanding of humour when it was intended. Frankly, if this was the first post I had ever read I wouldn't have come back, but I know that others can have good robust discussion without descending into nastiness. Please dont be bullied off Pompa. Some people on here should be ashamed of themselves, robust discussion is great, and I love the way we all have differing opinions on here at times; I dont want a knit and natter type forum, I like to discuss current affairs and politics, but this has become poisonous.

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 02-May-15 14:45:13

People enjoy this kind of thread. That's why they go on for so long.

loopylou Sat 02-May-15 14:46:33

Hard shells are all very well, but personally I've never managed to grow one and I suspect neither have many others.

Perhaps I wouldn't be so prone to depression were that a viable option (and pompa, amongst others, has spoken very eloquently about his battles with it too)

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 02-May-15 14:48:04

Perhaps you haven't been on here long enough. grin

GillT57 Sat 02-May-15 14:57:04

me too loopy this is a nasty thread. I do wonder if some of the vitriol on here would be said face to face, or is it easier behind a keyboard? I shall say no more on here, and will keep away for a few days I think. Maybe I havent been on here long enough as you say jings.

loopylou Sat 02-May-15 15:21:32

Hardly a joking matter jingl IMO

GrannyTwice Sat 02-May-15 15:22:50

Nope Gill - would and have also said such things face to face. Some of us don't accept sexist comments, innuendo and behaviour in our lives without taking a stand. I certainly think there is no place for it on GN. I just don't want to know about him watching women walk by - why was he posting about it? And I repeat again that the NS joke was unacceptable and P threatened to flounce off then if it were deleted. I still remember Messenger who I think eventually got banned - one disgusting post in particular about Hillary Clinton and what he dreamed of doing to her. Plenty of GNers supported him too and giggled and simpered at his sexist unpleasant comments. There have been some appalling comments about the young woman on here - anything I've said was as nothing compared to the criticisms made of her. I wonder what some of you think about that Oxford student and her amazing bravery in the aftermath of her attack? Oh wait, I know - she shouldn't have been walking home on her own at 1am

soop Sat 02-May-15 15:23:46

Pompa Cake and a freshly made brew are ready and waiting for you in our Kitchen...haste ye back...for goodness sake. smile

soontobe Sat 02-May-15 15:45:13

But pompa wasnt sexist was he, because he wasnt against the women?

Elegran Sat 02-May-15 15:56:03

Messenger was another kettle of fish entirely. He definitely was a strange and lecherous creature.

I don't think you have any insight into men at all, G2. Should they all take a vow of chastity and go into monasteries where they can't catch a view of anything female? Should they all be castrated after producing their one prescribed heir - produced without taking any pleasure in the experience of course. I believe that once upon a time, chaste men wore a long night gown with a hole cut in it, so that they could impregnate their wives without (horror) either of them enjoying it. It could be done chemically, I suppose, then the hormone change would smother any sexual impulse at all.

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 02-May-15 16:02:06

I don't think anyone should be called an"inadequate old geezer". That should be deleted.

However, I don't like sleazy jokes. BUT I guess on any forum, all sorts have to be accepted. Perhaps.

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 02-May-15 16:04:23

All men think with their dicks have sex at the forefront of their minds most of the time. But it's good if you know where to voice some thoughts and when to keep silent.

But, as I say, it takes all sorts...

Elegran Sat 02-May-15 16:05:20

We are going round and round this same circuit.

Some see no gradation whatsoever from noticing in passing that there are women around, and some of them are rather goodlooking, through expressing their approval with a whistle, to following them making lewd suggestions, and on to harassment and rape.

Some women seem to think that any man who is looking in the direction of a female should be blindfolded at once (even blinded?). Some like to feel that they are being looked at admiringly.
Some women feel that wolf whistles are degrading to women, some that they are a compliment.

It probably reflects our different backgrounds, experiences, family attitudes and histories Perhaps we should agree to differ and each respect that others may feel differently.

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 02-May-15 16:05:22

Elegran that was a daft post.