Is wolf-whistling a sex crime?

Sorry, that should have been the Independent, not the Guardian.

If you're referring to the GN weekly newsletter, amarmai, the only relevant article is a report in the Guardian linked to this thread. No comment is made or opinion given by GNHQ as to the rights or wrongs of the case.

I expect everyone has read the article posted in their mailboxes by GN . WOW I am accused of lying by Elegran and of complaining about 'Poor Poppy' to GN by Ana?!What weird reactions.

Can you clarify how it verges on slander, please ll? Ive looked at that post a few times but I'm not seeing what you do. Thanks.

GrannyTwice Fri 01-May-15 22:00:11

Frankly I think this post verges on slander.

Well said rosequartz of your 11:33:57 post.
DH and I were talking about the story of Poppy earlier, and attitudes towards either sex looking at the opposite sex. We can't work out how you can get to know another person if you don't look at them, therefore looking is natural!
Enough women enjoy looking at male film stars etc without being accused of being sexist!
It's when behaviours overstep the mark that sexism kicks in.
He openly admits enjoying looking at attractive females as do, IMO, virtually all other men; this is hardly leching or lusting most of the time.

The wasn't aimed at your post merlotgran, just at the way the thread has gone! Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I am not surprised the original OP has retired.

You are not allowed to judge me jingl

I left this thread a while ago - in fact I had typed a reply to pompa taking issue (in a jokey fashion) about his use of the word 'dithering' - women don't dither, they compare prices and look for good value! However I lost the post, at least I don't think it is there. However, this is an argument I have with DH, he says I dither, I say I am considering the options.

I thought his post was tongue-in-cheek and taking the mickey out of his own sex. We all know that people of either sex glance at other people they find attractive (whether that person is conventionally goodlooking or not) - some do it surreptitiously and some more overtly (those are the ones that my DDs would call 'sleaze balls'). I have heard women say 'he's a bit of all right!' Or, as someone I know used to say 'I wouldn't kick him out of bed' - not that she would go any further than saying that, she was totally monogamous and it was said in a jokey fashion to other women.

It's the way the world goes round and it is only when it goes over a certain line of mutual respect that it is wrong and starts to be intimidating.

I haven't contributed to this thread yet but one thing I have noticed on this and other threads is that pompa's postings have changed somewhat. Lately he has taken great pleasure in poking an ants nest and then when others object he runs off to claim sanctuary in the safety of another thread where he's feted with virtual cups of tea and shortbread. Unfortunately, unable to resist the lure of the wooden spoon, he doesn't stay long and returns to repeat the performance.

Sorry if this not a popular opinion but it's been getting predictable and tedious.

trisher My point was that "even" faithful, happily married men can appreciate that pretty girls, characterful girls, competent women, all kinds of women, can be attractive. They don't need to be lustful Lotharios for that. There does seem to be an assumption in some quarters that either all men who are not saints are just itching to harass every woman/girl they see - particularly the young pretty ones. That is why I mentioned only the pretty ones. They get most attention from the Lotharios.

it is not true that all men react the same way. There is a spectrum of attitudes, from complete disinterest (that does not mean the same as uninterest) in any but their own partner to thinking that all females are put on this earth for men to use as toys.

I would be very sad to see Pompa go. He seems to be a kind, caring and considerate man with a good sense of humour. IMO he did nothing to deserve the [virtual] put down that came his way. I would leave GN if I was him but I sincerely hope he doesn't as we would be much the poorer if we lost one of our most regular male posters.

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!

As usual, Elegran's post is full of wisdom!

Eloethan Thu 30-Apr-15 23:43:23 An excellent post.

(I have not been following this having other things on my mind.)

Eloethans point is "The comments that follow the various articles about this story suggest that wolf whistling supporters also have a similar attitude towards women who don't behave in the appropriate way when they are "complimented"

The remarks she has quoted give an indication about the nasty attitudes towards woman indicated by this behaviour which is done by the sort of men who "can't see what's wrong with a wolf whistle"*

It's not "just the wolf whistle" itself that is the problem, although that can be irritating. What we really need to do is to think about the attitudes behind this behaviour.
This group of men seem to feel entitled to think of a woman as being there for their "use." That attitude has unfortunately has long been entrenched in human culture. It's now the 21st century and time we stood up against those views.

Schools etc need to work on this issue with all their pupils to get (particularly the men they do do most of it) and the young women to put some thought into why this is so wrong.

(I am also appalled by the behaviour of woman who act like this towards men. Probably usually younger men.) That is very nasty bullying.

School bullies often say, we were only having a bit of fun.!

That's nice. A pat on the head from St Soon.

I am glad that you have said that you dont want him to go trisher.

"Would those who castigated him prefer that their husbands and sons were unaware of pretty girls? They wouldn't get many grandchildren to cuddle if that were the case "
So is it only "pretty girls" who have children? Elegran?
The thing about sexual attraction and love is that it often has very little to do with being pretty. Watch a French film- "Romauld and Juliette" to see how attraction and love isn't really about glamour or being pretty but something much deeper.
As for Pompa and his posts he may be joking, but he should recognise that if the joke isn't appreciated the best thing to do is apologise and try to make a serious contribution, not storm off.

Thanks Soutra Fingers not awake yet either.

Sorry. Magpie123

"...some of them could be lesbians" (*magpiegran*)

Are lesbians men haters? #oddcomment

And it "sounded like " pretty insulting to me, Bellanonna.

Ginny you called Bellanonna " Belladonna" -^atropa belladonna^ (deadly Nightshade) being one of the most toxic plants.

Of course it also means " beautiful woman" which is clearly what you had in mind.

Soutra - I actually said "sounds like"

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

So do I, Jings

I think the sexist, bullying, ignorant lout/louts on the building site should get their come-uppance.

(I'm sorry I'm late to this thread)

"Infamy! Infamy! They've all got it infamy" Kenneth Williams