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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

thinking Linda Barker is a bit of a knob end?

106 replies

Eyelasher · 27/10/2011 10:56

in the ( gasp) daily mail
"Linda, who is married with a 19-year-old daughter, Jess, says she still gets wolf whistles from men on building sites ? and loves it."

Funny how so many women find jeering and cat calling by men patronising nad sometimes even scary

Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2053900/We-proof-foxier-FIFTY-20--80s-style-cruel.html#ixzz1byUKkOUf

OP posts:
Original poster
Eyelasher · 27/10/2011 10:56

look i even put a "nad" in there to prove my point Wink

OP posts:
worraliberty · 27/10/2011 10:58

No I don't think she's a knob end (well I do, but not for this reason)

She feels complimented when a man whistles at her that's all...not everyone's cup of tea but doesn't make her a knob.

I think secretly there are one or two people who would have a spring in their step if it happened to them...though they'd rather die than admit it Lol.

Original poster
Eyelasher · 27/10/2011 11:02

i generally feel pity.

OP posts:
worraliberty · 27/10/2011 11:03

Well you do come across as a bit judgey with the knob end comment so it doesn't surprise me.

Don't get me wrong it pisses me off when people whistle from building sites or beep their car horns because it's embarrassing, but I wouldn't call a woman a knob end if it makes her smile when it happens to her.

fatlazymummy · 27/10/2011 11:06

There's a difference between 'wolfwhistles' and 'jeering and catcalling'.
You don't seem to get that, so you are being unreasonable.

RoxyRobin · 27/10/2011 11:11

Is she making this up? I thought there were strictly-enforced rules about this sort of behaviour on sites now.

I don't expect a clapped-out old bag like me to be on the receiving end, but I've witnessed girls of nubile gorgeousness pass building sites unmolested by whistles or coarse comments. What has Linda Barker got to make building workers risk losing their jobs in a recession? Perhaps she will share her secret with us.

worraliberty · 27/10/2011 11:13

It totally depends on the builders surely?

I know big companies/council contractors have strict rules now

But I'm sure it still happens when 'Joe Bloggs and son' are tiling a roof on the house down the road.

Original poster
Eyelasher · 27/10/2011 11:20

i cant BELIVE i am bu
Wink
stamps foot and lols quietly at " a bit judgy "

OP posts:
ssd · 27/10/2011 11:26

op I think you're a bit jealous

those women including LB in the article look great

MonstrouslyNarkyPuffin · 27/10/2011 12:26

OK. So we've had

'I think secretly there are one or two people who would have a spring in their step if it happened to them...though they'd rather die than admit it'

And

' I think you're a bit jealous'

On the first page!

squeakyfreakytoy · 27/10/2011 12:28

a wolfwhistle is not jeering or cat-calling.. and all those women do look great for 50 too!

SirHumphreyAppleby · 27/10/2011 12:30

Yeah the OP must be jealous, the dried-up old bag! There couldn't be any other reason for her opinion.......could there?

BarmyBiscuit · 27/10/2011 12:31

I'd love a wolf whistle aimed at me now and again. Not everyone is a staunch feminist.

MonstrouslyNarkyPuffin · 27/10/2011 12:31

We've not had, 'It's a compliment' yet.

Thingumy · 27/10/2011 12:31

They do look great.

If she likes the occasional wolfwhistle then so what?

Slacking9to5 · 27/10/2011 12:36

I still get the very odd whistle and yes, I like it. It certainly doesn't threaten me - I'm a grown woman FGS!! Mind you, these days I am more likely to get a whistle if they see my back first Blush.
I was talking to a male friend the other day and said that men are no longer allowed to whistle at women and he looked at me sadly and said, " Oh, they are Slacking....." Eek!
Jeers and shouts are quite different and always unwelcome, surely?

catgirl1976 · 27/10/2011 12:37

Up to her what she likes and dislikes. Doesn't deserve to be called a knob for her own personal preference.

noddyholder · 27/10/2011 12:37

They all look mumsy apart from susanne dando

HauntedHengshanRoad · 27/10/2011 12:38

I didn't fully realize how horrible and uncomfortable it is to be wolfwhistled, heckled and cat-called by men until I moved to China. The first time I walked past a construction site here (of which there are a lot), I braced myself, but was able to pass by un-heckled. Bliss. Why should I be made to feel like a piece of meat just so some knock-head with his jeans round his arse can feel like the big man? It's sexist and unacceptable. China has many, many faults, but the way women are treated on a day to day level is refreshing.

squeakyfreakytoy · 27/10/2011 12:40

A wolf whistle IS a compliment.... shouting "get yer tits out" is not... that is the difference.

If one of my mates was to walk into the pub looking dressed up and fantastic, I would give her a jokey whistle... it would mean I think she looks great.

Slacking9to5 · 27/10/2011 12:40

You are joking, right?
Women in China are treated better than here?
You really need to read up about forced abortions, just to start with.

Slacking9to5 · 27/10/2011 12:42

Exactly squeaky.

I also compliment my male friends if they are looking good.

catgirl1976 · 27/10/2011 12:43

I would whistle at a male or female friend if occasion called for it. It is very different from yelling obscenities.

noddyholder · 27/10/2011 12:44

How sad to think a whistle from a bloke on a building site is some sort of affirmation. I doubt the sort of man who would insult and draw attention to a woman out and about is that selective. I think if LB really has reached 50 and still thinks that she needs therapy (and a better hairdresser)

loveglove · 27/10/2011 12:45

Linda Barker is a knob end, and always will be due to her annoyingness and screechy voice.

I do not give a fig about building site men and whistling.