Would you feel threatened by someone wolf whistling at you?

[Passivhaus]

Would this scare you or intimidate you?

No just annoying

I don't think there should be a specific law for it - I would think that it's covered under existing laws (harassment? Intimidation?) and these should be enforced.

Just as the whole mobile phone at the wheel thing I think was stupid when there were already offences around driving without due care and attention.

I'd prefer simple laws were enforced, than new speciality laws created.

And as to the OP - as so many others, I'd say intimidated rather than threatened - strangers loudly commenting on my looks (which is what a wolf-whistle is) aren't doing it to be nice, they're doing it because they want a reaction - ie. to intimidate - and that's whether it's day or night.

Yes, because so often wolf whistling has then lead to further terrifying interactions (sometimes by the whilster and sometimes by other men nearby).

What sector do you work in and what country?

I wouldn't be intimidated or scared by a wolf whistle. I wouldn't feel a victim of hate crime. TBH, it wouldn't really affect my day one way or the other.

Well said @Timeforchangeithink 👏👏👏

I wouldn't exist if my 18 yr old Dad hadn't wolf whistled at my 16 yr old Mum from under the car he was working on to get her to notice him.... yes, that's how it all started! 2 years later they were married & 12 years later I was born.

But that was what working life in the mid 60s could be like.
It's not ok now. I would be shocked if anyone wolf whistled at me now as it seems really old fashioned and of a time gone by??
I do get cars beeping me as they go past & comments from men sometimes which I'm not impressed by but not whistles.

This is a very good point. The reminders that we're not considered equal members of society, the reminders that we could be at risk as we are smaller or given less status and power.

A wolf whistle - meh. On odd occasions it’s made me smile, other times I’ve ignored. I’ve never been intimidated.

Yes it's intimidation. If you think about it the intention behind it is men intimating they want to fuck us. When I am walking down the street thinking of what I need to do that day or what clothes I need to buy my children why the hell should they be allowed to interrupt my day that way, it's designed to make us jump and feel like a fuckable object, it's absolutely horrible and should be illegal. Little steps like stopping wolf whistling being legal would start to change mind sets (or likely make a small section of men hate us even more for not allowing it but hey ho they are pond scum).

Yes it would. I think whistlers do it to intimidate if it’s someone my age. I didn’t like it when I was younger either though- it’s unsolicited attention and I’m not comfortable with that.

I don't mind a wolf whistle so much anymore. What does really wind me up is the 'the tune'. This can be from men talking amongst themselves suddenly striking up as I am close or, as was the case the other day, a plumber heading to his van at my neighbours suddenly deciding to whistle his merry tune as I walked past in running gear. It is like a subtle intimidation technique.

Makes me feel uncomfortable

No. Absolutely not.

No, not at all. It happened to me a lot when I was younger and I wasn't intimidated at all. Going to get flamed when I say I actually quite liked it at the time. I think a lot of women don't mind but won't admit it. It's not sexual harrassment. I've had that too unfortunately and it was totally different.

No wouldn’t bother me I’d ignore it.

This, although it did happen to me from the age of 10 or so, and all too regularly from 12 onwards. It is done to demonstrate male power and entitlement: as we all know men have the right to force girls and women into sex and get away with it.

At 67, I'd be bloody delighted.. ;-)

I always feel very uncomfortable tbh

My Grandma had an excellent put down for wolf whistlers.
Many years ago we were walking together when a man wolf whistled. My Gran called him over and asked him with a completely straight face if we could help him find his missing dog!

No, I wouldn’t give it a second thought.

It is not for you to say whether it is or is not sexual harassment. Just because you enjoyed it (for whatever reason) does not mean it is intended as a compliment or kindly, or that other women should accept being harassed in public spaces.

I would like to hear from these posters who say they liked or enjoyed it as to why they felt that way though. What was appealing or enjoyable about men whistling at you in the street?

No.

I'd be bloody thrilled. I would think they were taking the piss though!

At night, yes, 100%. In broad daylight not intimidated, but as mad as a bag of cats. I’m not a fucking dog, and these days I’d waste no time telling them exactly what I thought about whistled at like some sort of fucking animal.