To think it ridiculous that wolf-whistling could become a criminal offence?

[Grag]

www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/mar/08/sexist-comments-to-become-criminal-offence

This is stupid IMO. I don't want to live in a society where men are afraid to approach or talk to women for fear of being arrested.

It's good to see that plenty of Guardian readers agree that it is ridiculous.

It's scary to me that we seem to be becoming a more and more repressive country as regards to human contact and communication. I don't understand the purpose of it.

Would it mean we'd have to stop saying 'phwoaaarrrrrr' to men as well?

i think people (men) saying 'cheer up it might never happen' definitely should be made illegal

is one to pass legislation or other measures to criminalise or impose other sanctions for "unwanted verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature with the purpose or effect of violating the dignity of a person, in particular when creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment".

I can't see the issue with the above focus tbh.

i think people (men) saying 'cheer up it might never happen' definitely should be made illegal

YY SEA

Which part of a wolf whistle is an approach or in any way talking to a woman anyway?

It is ridiculous. I love a wolf whistle...sadly most men now are too politically correct to give one..or maybe I'm just getting older!

If we're outlawing "non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature with the purpose of violating dignity" what am I going to do instead of flipping a finger at the next dickhead that cuts me up on the motorway!!!!???

I agree with it, walking past a building site and a bunch of grown men are whistling and saying shows us your tits can be intimidating.

I feel in love with my dh as he talked to my face rather than my chest

Seems OTT to me. There's a world of difference between a wolf whistle and someone being intimidating.

Although, if it happens then at least I can tell myself that's why I'm getting less, not because I am getting older

' I don't want to live in a society where men are afraid to approach or talk to women for fear of being arrested.'

Nope, doesnt seem to stop that at all. Just unwanted sexual comments and advances.

Who's to know what's "unwanted"...if I don't want it, I'll tell them.

You make it sound as if wolf-whistling is an essential part of human courtship... I feel sceptical.

Approach and talk to does not = whistle from a distance

Former attorney general Baroness Scotland, who worked on the convention for four years under the Labour government, said the clause on sexual harassment was not intended to cover less serious incidents such as wolf-whistling and public teasing.

So the thread title is misleading and it is to cover serious and intimidating sexist remarks - not to make wolf whistling an offence

well no Jamie...and your point is? I don't see either as wrong, just different. If anything being approached can be more "invasive". But I wouldn't object to it from a fit guy, so can't complain for anyone else!

I don't think a passing wolf-whistle is what most people mean by 'harrassment'. Dictionary definition:
'the act or an instance of harassing, or disturbing, pestering, or troubling repeatedly; persecution'

The 'repeatedly' is I think key. If someone makes a comment once, fine - if you convey to them by word, look or action that it's unwelcome and they do it again then they're overstepping the mark from communication to harrassment.

Ridiculous

I would, if feeling brave, object to it, from anyone. If not feeling brave, I might feel intimidated or simply disdainful.

And "Phoar" from across the street, addressed to a man, also seems pretty rude to me. So, I'd never do that eitehr.

But my previous post is by-the-by, because this thread is meaningless. It's all equivocation.

LittleGnu. My point, rather redundantly, was what KalSkirata said.

Wolf whistling, whilst I don't find it intimidating any more, is juvenile and a bit rude.

"I don't want to live in a society where men are afraid to approach or talk to women for fear of being arrested."

HAHAHA

Wolf Whistling is not 'approaching' a woman. It's rude and it's uncivilised. I often wonder what kind of awful parenting an adult must have had to think that whistling and calling at women is an ok way to treat other people. Whatever happened to actually talking to people with respect and interest?

Surely, OP, you agree that talking to someone politely face to face is a much clearer and more polite way of having a conversation with a person, particularly a stranger?

I remember a horrible man shouting at me from a scaffold - despite there being a sign on the side saying that the company would work in that area politely. I called the number on the sign and complained.

It shows a man who's confident and not afraid to show interest though, so there are different ways of viewing it. I've dated a man who first wolf whistled me, so may be biased!

So the answer is YABU to worry about wolf whistling becoming a criminal offence because it won't be.
HTH, I assume you are now pleased to be reassured.

Well, standing 30 feet up and whistling is pretty risk-free when it comes to possible rejection and embarrassment, compared to approaching someone and speaking politely to them , so I'm not sure I do see it the same way as you, LittleGnu.

But I'm sure he's lovely

"I don't want to live in a society where men are afraid to approach or talk to women for fear of being arrested."

Surely a man who approaches a woman and speaks to her politely and respectfully will have nothing to fear...