Shake head time (for me anyway)

[Firthy]

I really do wonder where the world is heading. On the spot fines for men for wolf whistling or telling a woman to smile. Surely our undermanned (underwomanned) police force have better things to do like catching real criminals.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-61511890

[clarethomer]

When women can’t walk or go out in public without being harassed…. I wonder where the world is now never mind heading.

You are right in that the police shouldn’t have to deal with these things but until men realise that this behaviour isn’t usually welcomed, or invited then this is an issue.

[Burnley1989]

If a bloke whistled at my daughters in my company I’d not be happy, I’d certainly not be happy if a group of blokes started whistling whilst she was walking on her own and making her feel uncomfortable.
Grow up and don’t be a dick

[agreenwood]

Just read the article. It sounds like it’s not going to become law, so the OP should be nodding, not shaking his head?

[Firthy]

If a bloke whistled at my daughters in my company I’d not be happy, I’d certainly not be happy if a group of blokes started whistling whilst she was walking on her own and making her feel uncomfortable.
Grow up and don’t be a dick

I'm not condoning it but what would you do if this happened. Confront them or ring the police and tell them they whistled at your daughter.

I never said it was OK but if you think involving the police to confront the type who would wolf whistle is worth the time and effort then you need to come into the real world.

[Firthy]

Just read the article. It sounds like it’s not going to become law, so the OP should be nodding, not shaking his head?

Not law yet but the seed has been down. I'm just amazed that with all the crime and problems in the country that someone could even suggest it.

[TheFamilyCat]

Not law yet but the seed has been down. I'm just amazed that with all the crime and problems in the country that someone could even suggest it.

Ok, so because the police force is so underfunded, nobody is allowed to suggest new laws to protect others' safety.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

So is the objection to making women feel safer in public or that men could actually get in trouble for it?

The majority of men have leered or wolf whistled at women without giving consideration to how they might feel about it, that includes myself.

If this helps make them feel safer then I'm not seeing an issue.

[Firthy]

If a bloke whistled at my daughters in my company I’d not be happy, I’d certainly not be happy if a group of blokes started whistling whilst she was walking on her own and making her feel uncomfortable.
Grow up and don’t be a dick

I forgot to apologise. I didn't realise that having an opinion on something made me a dick. Does make me wonder who needs to grow up?

[evensteadiereddie]

I assumed your OP was a wind up but apparently you're serious.
It's not having an opinion that makes you a dick, it's the opinion itself.
But, you know, it's your right to show yourself up, feel free to crack on.

[NottsClaret]

Always going to be huge pushback and ‘what is the world coming to’ whining about anything that asks men to change their s****y behaviour.

Women don’t like - or are frightened by - creepy weird men. So just stop acting creepy and weird and everything is fine for everyone. Otherwise we need to introduce laws which stop men doing it or alternatively act like some religious nut job country and force women to cover up because men can’t behave.

[Billy Balfour]

I love it how oddbods don't think it's at all creepy or pesty to wolf-whistle a passer-by or go up to a total stranger and ask them to smile. These oddbods are usually with their workmates or friends and the oddbod thinks they are being all alpha male, but in reality this behaviour is far from it. It just looks sad and pitiful, and I feel a bit sorry for them because they are too thick to realise this.

[Lancasterclaret]

All I've got to say on this is

Men, be better

[Ptangyangkipperbang]

Many years ago a gang of us were on holiday in Gran Canaria.We were walking through the Jumbo Centre in Playa de Ingles which is the gay area part of town.We were wolf whistled at by a large group of older men much to the annoyance of one of our mates.It amused the rest of us with him taking offence as normally he was always shall we say was too close to the edge in the manner he acted towards women so when the tables were turned he just didn't like it.

[Ric_C]

Actually hate it when a random stranger comes up to you and says "cheer up" or "smile". Be it to a man or a woman. Who are they to know what is going on in your head at that exact moment? Really annoying

[Garnerssoap]

I used to get sexually harassed at Martholme Grange

[TheFamilyCat]

Many years ago a gang of us were on holiday in Gran Canaria.We were walking through the Jumbo Centre in Playa de Ingles which is the gay area part of town.We were wolf whistled at by a large group of older men much to the annoyance of one of our mates.It amused the rest of us with him taking offence as normally he was always shall we say was too close to the edge in the manner he acted towards women so when the tables were turned he just didn't like it.

What a fanny.

[dsr]

You can frown on bad behaviour without having to make it a criminal offence. It may indeed be bad behaviour to tell a stranger to smile, or to wolf whistle, but should it be make criminal, and how much (as the OP suggested) police time should be used to enforce it?

There are already harassment laws that can stop serial offenders.

[martin_p]

You can frown on bad behaviour without having to make it a criminal offence. It may indeed be bad behaviour to tell a stranger to smile, or to wolf whistle, but should it be make criminal, and how much (as the OP suggested) police time should be used to enforce it?

There are already harassment laws that can stop serial offenders.

Unfortunately, however severe your frown, it’s not going to be that effective stopping men doing it.

[IanMcL]

I have been wolf whistled and horn tooted, whilst wearing my kilt!

I have seen many women with a big smile, when wolf whistled.

I think it is what is conveyed with the whistle, rather than the whistle. A beaming smile is positive. Just a leery glance and whistle, not.

[Burnley1989]

I forgot to apologise. I didn't realise that having an opinion on something made me a dick. Does make me wonder who needs to grow up?

Hahaha wow!

I’m talking about men that do it, not you!

Can’t believe how much that’s annoyed you that you had to come back and post twice when I didn’t respond

[Falcon]

Best way to avoid being arrested for being a creepy slimeball who demeans women is not be a creepy slimeball who demeans women.

Women almost unanimously hate this kind of behaviour and say it makes them feel uncomfortable and unsafe to be out in public. I love women, they're great. Why would I want to do something that they all hate?

[Firthy]

Hahaha wow!

I’m talking about men that do it, not you!

Can’t believe how much that’s annoyed you that you had to come back and post twice when I didn’t respond

My genuine apologies if that's the case, just didn't read that way.

Maybe I didn’t explain it very well. I have never done either of those things and don't condone them but in the greater scheme of things they are more annoying than threatening.

I just find it unbelievable that a political advisor could suggest something so ridiculous. Total waste of police time and is totally impractical and unrealistic. I don't have a problem with women being protected by the law but how far do you go?

She'd have been much better putting a realistic and workable proposition forward that might have actually been considered. But giving on the spot fines for a whistle or something said is totally ridiculous IMO

[AlargeClaret]

Has anyone seriously wolf whistled or witnessed a WW at a woman since 1976?
Much as I’m uncomfortable pointing this out, much of the “ out on the open /street” non physical verbal harassment comes from young men /lads in certain communities, often relatively recently arrived immigrants with very different cultural views and exposure to western culture .

[yTib]

Has anyone seriously wolf whistled or witnessed a WW at a woman since 1976?
Much as I’m uncomfortable pointing this out, much of the “ out on the open /street” non physical verbal harassment comes from young men /lads in certain communities, often relatively recently arrived immigrants with very different cultural views and exposure to western culture .

what a load of crap.

i see white men hanging out of white vans all the time shouting at young lasses.

[AlargeClaret]

what a load of crap.

i see white men hanging out of white vans all the time shouting at young lasses.

Do you really though ? Do you hang around at the lights looking for burly workmen ?

As for “ what a load of crap “ you must be utterly naive or just don’t want to know about the type of casual verbal harrassment ( we’re not talking grooming gangs here ) carried on in certain poor city suburbs . I give Sheffield and London as examples where I’ve personally witnessed a large group of possibly Romanian /Slovenians in Sheff during the day constantly harassing girls . The area was low rent hmo etc but eye opening nonetheless.

[yTib]

yes. i hang around at lights.

i'm also making up the white man/white van stuff to arbitrarily bicker with an obvious bigot.