Wolf Whistling

[Avon Barksdale]

Men will be fined on the spot for wolf-whistling women on French streets, the country's women's minister has said.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z4vgj3EpfZ
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Where is the harm in wolf whistling.

I bet nice looking females love it really, it is the fat older scruffy old trouts who go out in there slippers who object cus no one whistles at them.

Whether it’s wolf whistling or those Beach Body ready ads or anything like that it’s always the ‘scruffy old trouts’ as you charmingly put it who object. Always.
I’m a little old to get whistled now but I’d never take offence and if people get offended, I suggest rather then moan, they get down the gym or make a bit of effort with how they look. A bit of lippy or putting a brush through their hair once in a while can make the world of difference. People are far too sensitive and quick to take offence at everything these days.

Lol, wut? The best determinant of who will find wolf whistling unacceptable is age, not whether the woman in question is a "scruffy old trout" (whatever that means.) Young people (both men and women) are less likely to find it acceptable. It's a generational thing, not a hotness thing.

Obviously context matters here. A 14 year old girl walking along a road one a dark winter's night getting leered at by a group of older men may find it threatening whereas a group of older women getting a "phwooooar" from a single young man may not. A one off instance of a man blowing a kiss to a lady may not cause her day to be ruined whereas a constant pattern over days or weeks may well do.

I don't think criminalising wolf whistling is the answer. We already have harassment laws on the books. Greater public awareness or notifying an employer of objectionable behaviour if this stuff happens in the course of employment may be better solutions.

[Gabby]

What really pisses me off regarding wolf whistles.... is that I don't get as many now as I did in my 20s ..... or maybe is it that men just daren't now!

Anyway, they've never bothered me, slightly embarrassing maybe .... and even more so when you look to the direction of the whistle to find it ain't for you!!!

[Rolluplostinspace]

Men will be fined on the spot for wolf-whistling women on French streets, the country's women's minister has said.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z4vgj3EpfZ
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Where is the harm in wolf whistling.

I bet nice looking females love it really, it is the fat older scruffy old trouts who go out in there slippers who object cus no one whistles at them.

Whether it’s wolf whistling or those Beach Body ready ads or anything like that it’s always the ‘scruffy old trouts’ as you charmingly put it who object. Always.
I’m a little old to get whistled now but I’d never take offence and if people get offended, I suggest rather then moan, they get down the gym or make a bit of effort with how they look. A bit of lippy or putting a brush through their hair once in a while can make the world of difference. People are far too sensitive and quick to take offence at everything these days.

I want to be a scruffy old trout if it stops unwanted Pervy attention.

For me there’s a difference between a cheery or flattering wolf whistle and a creepy perv whistle or unwanted attention.

Why spoil the fun for the rest of us just because a small number of people are creeps. I think these old trouts Major talks about would secretly LOVE a wolf whistle and whilst some genuinely don’t want male attention others are just upset they don’t get any at all.

The creepy pervs don't understand that difference though.

I wouldn't mind one from him

So after all that you don't mind wolf whistles at all.

[Rolluplostinspace]

OMG I think I just heard a whistle coming from that building site!
Are you sure?
No.
Best phone the police to be on the safe side.
Should we be offended?
I'm not sure yet best let the police deal with it first.

Yes, on a serious note, that's where we're heading. Call the cops, I was whistled at I mean come on, was/is it really such a bad thing that could happen to a woman? It's a whistle FGS...OK, obnoxious perhaps, but certainly not threatening when in a public place.
What next? HELP! ...a guy just held a door open for me, HELP a guy just smiled at me, Help a guy just asked me out....but hey, I only need help if I don't find the guy attractive, if he's a hunk, thank you, no help needed...Crazy world what's a guys supposed to do other than be confused????

Not whistle at strangers. It's not rocket science.

It's already at that extreme when we have to make such stupid laws.
Like I said, perhaps obnoxious, I agree with that, but hardly a punishable crime. How about a bloke approaching a girl in a club by either smiling at her, asking her to dance, offer to buy her a drink etc...and say for instance the girl doesn't find the guy attractive...is that also harassment? How's a bloke supposed to meet a girl these days? How is the flirting supposed to happen?

In a club a girl can say no, thank you...on the street when whistled to, she can just ignore it and walk on....I really can't see what the big deal is tbh.

I don't think things will get to that extreme but if they do it won't last for long. Common sense will prevail.
Times have to change, we now know about all sorts of major abuses that have been overlooked in the past and although whistling isn't really abuse in itself it can be quite scarey for a girl/woman walking alone on the streets where she should be allowed to feel safe. It's the thin end of a sexist wedge.

[Rolluplostinspace]

OMG I think I just heard a whistle coming from that building site!
Are you sure?
No.
Best phone the police to be on the safe side.
Should we be offended?
I'm not sure yet best let the police deal with it first.

Yes, on a serious note, that's where we're heading. Call the cops, I was whistled at I mean come on, was/is it really such a bad thing that could happen to a woman? It's a whistle FGS...OK, obnoxious perhaps, but certainly not threatening when in a public place.
What next? HELP! ...a guy just held a door open for me, HELP a guy just smiled at me, Help a guy just asked me out....but hey, I only need help if I don't find the guy attractive, if he's a hunk, thank you, no help needed...Crazy world what's a guys supposed to do other than be confused????

Not whistle at strangers. It's not rocket science.

How's a bloke supposed to meet a girl these days? How is the flirting supposed to happen?

The internet but don't dare use a whistling smiley!

[jp761]

I hate wolf whistles, especially when you realise they weren't meant for you but that gorgeous 18 year old walking next to you

lol.. this has brightened up a shitty Tuesday. Great humour.

[jp761]

Let's face it who does most of the wolf-whistling, it's builders on a building site. I'd suggest the whistling at strangers(possibly feeling threatened part) doesn't really apply to them, highly unlikely they are a threat working away on their site, in broad daylight. Only numpty random guy/s would wolf-whistle a lone woman walking down the street when it's dark. I can understand how that could be a tad worrying, for the female. But I still don't think getting the law involved is needed, not if everyone just carries on making their way to wherever they're going.

[Avon Barksdale]

Let's face it who does most of the wolf-whistling, it's builders on a building site. I'd suggest the whistling at strangers(possibly feeling threatened part) doesn't really apply to them, highly unlikely they are a threat working away on their site, in broad daylight. Only numpty random guy/s would wolf-whistle a lone woman walking down the street when it's dark. I can understand how that could be a tad worrying, for the female. But I still don't think getting the law involved is needed, not if everyone just carries on making their way to wherever they're going.

In many cases the use of the phrase "wolf whistling" is sloppy journalism (or a deliberate attempt to downplay or trivialise what some people are campaigning for which is really situations where they feel harrassment occurs.)

For example, I like running and cycling so chat with a fair amount of people both in RL and online about it. That includes a fair amount of women, many of whom have encountered situation which falls under this area of discussion. So for example the interactions range from a man or men making comments as they go by, to blocking their path to try and talk to them, to chasing them down the road to physical touching etc.

Clearly there's a spectrum of behaviour under discussion and my view, like many people I am guessing, is that most of this really doesn't fall under the realm of criminal law or wouldn't be dealt with effectively in this way.

However, there are good arguments to suggest why new offences should be created rather than dismiss it all under the lazy thinking of "dem crazy feminazis are at it again!" as some people seek to do.

[jp761]

Let's face it who does most of the wolf-whistling, it's builders on a building site. I'd suggest the whistling at strangers(possibly feeling threatened part) doesn't really apply to them, highly unlikely they are a threat working away on their site, in broad daylight. Only numpty random guy/s would wolf-whistle a lone woman walking down the street when it's dark. I can understand how that could be a tad worrying, for the female. But I still don't think getting the law involved is needed, not if everyone just carries on making their way to wherever they're going.

In many cases the use of the phrase "wolf whistling" is sloppy journalism (or a deliberate attempt to downplay or trivialise what some people are campaigning for which is really situations where they feel harrassment occurs.)

For example, I like running and cycling so chat with a fair amount of people both in RL and online about it. That includes a fair amount of women, many of whom have encountered situation which falls under this area of discussion. So for example the interactions range from a man or men making comments as they go by, to blocking their path to try and talk to them, to chasing them down the road to physical touching etc.

Clearly there's a spectrum of behaviour under discussion and my view, like many people I am guessing, is that most of this really doesn't fall under the realm of criminal law or wouldn't be dealt with effectively in this way.

However, there are good arguments to suggest why new offences should be created rather than dismiss it all under the lazy thinking of "dem crazy feminazis are at it again!" as some people seek to do.

With respect, IF it is just wolf-whistling then I stand by my opinions, because that's what I've been talking about. Purposely blocking someones path etc is a whole different ball game.

And what the press may do, is a whole different story.

[Avon Barksdale]

Let's face it who does most of the wolf-whistling, it's builders on a building site. I'd suggest the whistling at strangers(possibly feeling threatened part) doesn't really apply to them, highly unlikely they are a threat working away on their site, in broad daylight. Only numpty random guy/s would wolf-whistle a lone woman walking down the street when it's dark. I can understand how that could be a tad worrying, for the female. But I still don't think getting the law involved is needed, not if everyone just carries on making their way to wherever they're going.

In many cases the use of the phrase "wolf whistling" is sloppy journalism (or a deliberate attempt to downplay or trivialise what some people are campaigning for which is really situations where they feel harrassment occurs.)

For example, I like running and cycling so chat with a fair amount of people both in RL and online about it. That includes a fair amount of women, many of whom have encountered situation which falls under this area of discussion. So for example the interactions range from a man or men making comments as they go by, to blocking their path to try and talk to them, to chasing them down the road to physical touching etc.

Clearly there's a spectrum of behaviour under discussion and my view, like many people I am guessing, is that most of this really doesn't fall under the realm of criminal law or wouldn't be dealt with effectively in this way.

However, there are good arguments to suggest why new offences should be created rather than dismiss it all under the lazy thinking of "dem crazy feminazis are at it again!" as some people seek to do.

With respect, IF it is just wolf-whistling then I stand by my opinions, because that's what I've been talking about. Purposely blocking someones path etc is a whole different ball game.

And what the press may do, is a whole different story.

Right, which is a reasonable position to take and one which most people would probably agree with.

However, this thread has gone the way of many other discussions I have seen about street harassment where wolf whistling (probably the lowest level of interaction complained of) is presented as the major or only form, this detracts from what some people are campaigning for and makes the overall attempts seem particularly unreasonable. It also pushes the agenda that rad fems have somehow taken over the institutions and are running amok unchecked.

The article linked in the OP states:

Men will be fined for lecherous, aggressive behaviour or anything deemed harassment under the policy.

But a definition of harassment and the amount of money harassers will be fined have yet to be decided upon.

'It's completely necessary because at the moment street harassment is not defined in the law,' she told RTL radio today in a major interview to outline the law, which is to be voted on next year.

That's a different situation. There's no doubt that parts of the feminist movement is just horrible and vindictive. Most ordinary people who believe in feminism and want to see change? Nah.

[Guest]

wolf whistling can actually be very unsettling. not every woman sees it as a 'compliment' & it's humiliating to be reduced to a piece of meat. some women like being whistled at, some don't mind & some hate it. it's not something any woman or girl should have to put up with or be shamed into accepting.

[NastyNickers]

I fucking hate wolf whistling. I'm not a dog. I only ever get it when I'm going to the gym in the evening and the beer garden is busy. I generally ignore it unless it's followed by shitty comments (which half the time it is), and shitty comments get a suitable reply.

However. It's not something I'd ever dream of getting the police involved with. Not unless it was part of a larger harassment issue.

[Stooo]

I fucking hate wolf whistling. I'm not a dog. I only ever get it when I'm going to the gym in the evening and the beer garden is busy. I generally ignore it unless it's followed by shitty comments (which half the time it is), and shitty comments get a suitable reply.

However. It's not something I'd ever dream of getting the police involved with. Not unless it was part of a larger harassment issue.

Do you agree with women who choose to wear the burka and who subsequently suffer abuse?

[jp761]

Let's face it who does most of the wolf-whistling, it's builders on a building site. I'd suggest the whistling at strangers(possibly feeling threatened part) doesn't really apply to them, highly unlikely they are a threat working away on their site, in broad daylight. Only numpty random guy/s would wolf-whistle a lone woman walking down the street when it's dark. I can understand how that could be a tad worrying, for the female. But I still don't think getting the law involved is needed, not if everyone just carries on making their way to wherever they're going.

In many cases the use of the phrase "wolf whistling" is sloppy journalism (or a deliberate attempt to downplay or trivialise what some people are campaigning for which is really situations where they feel harrassment occurs.)

For example, I like running and cycling so chat with a fair amount of people both in RL and online about it. That includes a fair amount of women, many of whom have encountered situation which falls under this area of discussion. So for example the interactions range from a man or men making comments as they go by, to blocking their path to try and talk to them, to chasing them down the road to physical touching etc.

Clearly there's a spectrum of behaviour under discussion and my view, like many people I am guessing, is that most of this really doesn't fall under the realm of criminal law or wouldn't be dealt with effectively in this way.

However, there are good arguments to suggest why new offences should be created rather than dismiss it all under the lazy thinking of "dem crazy feminazis are at it again!" as some people seek to do.

With respect, IF it is just wolf-whistling then I stand by my opinions, because that's what I've been talking about. Purposely blocking someones path etc is a whole different ball game.

And what the press may do, is a whole different story.

Right, which is a reasonable position to take and one which most people would probably agree with.

However, this thread has gone the way of many other discussions I have seen about street harassment where wolf whistling (probably the lowest level of interaction complained of) is presented as the major or only form, this detracts from what some people are campaigning for and makes the overall attempts seem particularly unreasonable. It also pushes the agenda that rad fems have somehow taken over the institutions and are running amok unchecked.

The article linked in the OP states:

Men will be fined for lecherous, aggressive behaviour or anything deemed harassment under the policy.

But a definition of harassment and the amount of money harassers will be fined have yet to be decided upon.

'It's completely necessary because at the moment street harassment is not defined in the law,' she told RTL radio today in a major interview to outline the law, which is to be voted on next year.

That's a different situation. There's no doubt that parts of the feminist movement is just horrible and vindictive. Most ordinary people who believe in feminism and want to see change? Nah.

I think most people are capable of knowing when wolf-whistling is just that alone, or whether it's more than that. Hopefully the authorities definitely can tell the difference. And I don't think the vast majority of people are so naive to think that wolf-whistling is the major or only form, of street harassment. Personally speaking I would say what the police and authorities think is far more important than what the press may say, if the press do skew something, it wont have any bearing on what stance the police and authorities take on things. What the authorities deem to be actual harassment is what really counts.

[jp761]

wolf whistling can actually be very unsettling. not every woman sees it as a 'compliment' & it's humiliating to be reduced to a piece of meat. some women like being whistled at, some don't mind & some hate it. it's not something any woman or girl should have to put up with or be shamed into accepting.

I hope you take the same kind of stance when a random guy is wolf-whistled at or hollered at(Oi,Oi etc) by a woman or a group of women. It obviously happens.

Like I've said I personally wouldn't complain about wolf-whistling alone, seems too petty imo. But as I've asked, I wonder if you are taking an equal stance on this issue.