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Original poster

Over 3/4 of over 50s think catcalling is a compliment

29 replies

treaclesoda · 23/10/2018 09:12

A man on Radio Five Live has just said that.

Can that be true?

I've never met a woman who thought it was a compliment, everyone I know finds it on a scale of irritating to intimidating and everything in between.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 23/10/2018 09:13

Only if you are over 50 and stupid

2cats2many · 23/10/2018 09:13

I wouldn't take some random bloke on the radio as a reliable source.

Original poster
treaclesoda · 23/10/2018 09:13

Only if you are over 50 and stupid

Well, you put it so much better than I did Grin

OP posts:
Undercoverbanana · 23/10/2018 09:14

I’m 50. It is not a compliment. It is insulting, aggressive and disrespectful.

Original poster
treaclesoda · 23/10/2018 09:14

He's claiming that his figure is based on MORI polls. Confused

OP posts:
TheMatriaaaaaargh · 23/10/2018 09:15

3/4 of over 50s - are men included in the poll?
“Smile love, I was being nice”

Babdoc · 23/10/2018 09:16

Have you tried asking women over 50? I’m in my 60’s, have been a feminist since the 1970’s, and none of my friends think catcalling is anything other than intimidation and insult.

TSSDNCOP · 23/10/2018 09:17

Where is this MORI poll that one man speaks of.

Original poster
treaclesoda · 23/10/2018 09:18

I did wonder if the research had been carried out amongst men rather than women. Although bloke on the radio is saying that it was research carried out amongst women.

I just find it utterly incredible.

OP posts:
Original poster
treaclesoda · 23/10/2018 09:21

I suppose you could choose your demographic very carefully before carrying out the survey. I've taken part in research for MORI in the past and the questions were so loaded that it was almost impossible to answer in any way other than what they clearly wanted to prove...

OP posts:
YeOldeTrout · 23/10/2018 09:24

YouGov & annual Social Attitudes surveys are only ones I can find that are recent. Can't find any from MORI any date. These polls don't say that women age 50+ think it's fine (not even American respondents). The recent polls are saying that women are more tolerant of it than men, though.

Under 30 I used to get absolutely furious about it, so am glad that > 40 I relaxed & now find it amusing and kind of pathetic.

it's MUCH worse in USA than in UK ime. The Brits do very little in comparison.

Bezalelle · 23/10/2018 10:11

Frankly, any woman who gets validation from being catcalled by some gormless chump needs her head tested.

Sparklfairy · 23/10/2018 10:12

My dm thinks this. Have had many a heated discussion with her but you can't reason with stupid.

thenightsky · 23/10/2018 10:13

I hated it when I was 15 and I haven't changed my mind now I'm 59. Why would I?

SilverApples · 23/10/2018 10:45

Is this a poll where they asked 187 women out of the 30 million in the country? Did they carry out a range of polls covering different socioeconomic and ethnic groups? Polls are variable beasties, depending on what the pollsters want as an outcome.

YeOldeTrout · 23/10/2018 10:53

Nobody can find any evidence that such a survey result exists. The radio phone-in guy was incorrect to say this like it was fact. Joanna Lumley is allowed her views, that doesn't mean most agree with her.

Original poster
treaclesoda · 23/10/2018 12:59

This is where the BBC really aggravates me. In the interests of 'opposing views' they allow people to come on and quote all sorts of spurious 'evidence' without much to back it up.

The man in question (I didn't catch his name), in his defence, didn't actually say that he thought it was ok, he was quoting the statistic to try to prove that it would be impossible to legislate against something that some women think is ok. At least I think that's what he was getting at...

OP posts:
GaraMedouar · 23/10/2018 13:05

I am nearly 50 and definitely don't think it's a compliment!

thenightsky · 23/10/2018 13:17

So Lumley thinks its just whistling? If only. I'm 59 and still get comments like 'suck my dick... sit on my face...' Hmm

spanishwife · 23/10/2018 13:20

  1. most people over 50 won't be experiencing it anymore

  2. in 'their day' it was socially acceptable to say whatever you wanted to a woman

Original poster
treaclesoda · 23/10/2018 13:22

I was wolf whistled at the other day by a group of teenagers who were out running, with their coach. I'm in my 40s and carrying a bit too much weight these days, and I'm generally looking a bit haggard. I'd have to be completely deluded to think that it's because they thought I was attractive. They were trying to make me uncomfortable. I was very disappointed that their adult coach didn't tell them to behave themselves though.

OP posts:
BreconBeBuggered · 23/10/2018 13:29

I'm over 50. It's always made me feel uncomfortable and it's not a fucking compliment. When I was young and sensitive I detected sarcastic undertones, which may or may not have been there. I'm pretty damn sure that anyone wolf-whistling at me now is taking the piss.

Jakethekid · 23/10/2018 13:32

I saw Esther Rantzen on Jeremy vine today and she said back in the day men whistling at women was a compliment. She is 78 I think. I'm 30 and raised my eyebrow at that. I know catcalling can be different but even whistling I find an irritant. It never makes me feel more confident, it actually makes me feel self conscious and uncomfortable

EllieMentry · 23/10/2018 13:36

It has never been a compliment. It has always been disrespectful and demeaning, and intended to make the person uncomfortable.

ExplodedPeach · 23/10/2018 13:48

Tbh I do know people who consider being whistled at a compliment. Personally I find it irritating and intrusive, but am sometimes secretly flattered. I don't let it show though, because I don't want to encourage it.