Older aunt being inappropriate

[Jennybeans401]

We had a family gathering last weekend, we met with family from overseas and there were some cousins in their twenties as part of the reunion. My aunt is in her 70s and had not had much to drink, maybe a few glasses of wine.

The latter half of the night, my aunt kept making flirtatious comments to the male cousins in their twenties. Telling their girlfriends to "hook" them because they were so "hot", "be still ny beating heart", etc. It was all a bit weird for me, the men laughed it off for the most part but AIBU to think that if it was a male uncle doing this this situation would be seen in a different way? I found it very inappropriate!

Yes, it would be very different! But let's be honest, most women would have a screaming fit if their DH/OH/DP went to a strip club, yet are happy to go and seesMagic Mike/Chippendales, Etc.
Double standards

@Oramilosingmymind yes I agree! I think it wouldn't have been so bad if it was a passing comment but it went on for a long time.

False equivalence

most women would have a screaming fit if their DH/OH/DP went to a strip club, yet are happy to go and seesMagic Mike/Chippendales, Etc.

I don't think 'most women' are happy to go and see male strippers. I agree some women are, but they might be the same women who are OK with their male partner seeing strippers.

Most women I know would run a mile from the ghastly spectacle of a male strip show.

I couldn't think of anything worse tbh

Ok! Perhaps not most!
But I do think that there is a mismatch

I do agree, OP, that your aunt's behaviour sounds inappropriate.

I agree completely inappropriate. And 'a few glasses of wine' is a lot!

It would be interesting to see a poll, but possibly hard to get honest answers. I agree with the pp that the two are not necessarily equivalent - I don't think male stripping tends to get into private dance situations.

It feels different than a creepy uncle. It’s still not appropriate.

Definitely inappropriate but I'd be drunk on a few glasses of wine!

Is this normal behaviour for the aunt ?
If it is out of character it maybe a sign of dementia, inappropriate conversation

I don’t think most women do that, but anyway a group of women going to scream at the chippendales is not the same as a bunch of blokes in a strip club, simply because sex is often for sale in the latter.

Anyway, yes it is inappropriate OP. I hate to say it but if it really out of character it might be an early sign of dementia.

Given her age I too would be wondering about dementia. Losing inhibitions can be a sign I believe.

Maybe she has dementia. Bit weird.

Another one wondering if it could be the start of dementia. Loss of social inhibitions is an indicator.

This.

Agree with PP who mentioned dementia. If this is out of character then that would be my first thought too. Inappropriate sexual behaviour in your later years is often linked to degenerative diseases.

My late 40's aunt did this. Talking about how my cousins partners were so 'good looking' and that she would 'steal them away'. She also used to tell people she 'had a thing for her nieces boyfriends'.

I'm not saying it's appropriate but...

70+ man making uncomfortable flirty comment = ew, dirty old man

70+ woman making uncomfortable flirty comment = oh dear, might be dementia.

Loss of social inhibitions more likely to be caused by being drunk in this case as OP mentioned aunt "only" had a few glasses of wine.
Older people have less tolerance for alcohol.
I'm not yet in my seventies but am really noticing how little alcohol I can take, definitely tipsy after only 2 glasses of wine now.

This.

It's inappropriate but, in a patriarchy, it's not as concerning as an older uncle and younger nieces.