Angela: what's the point?

[Licky]

What's the point of asking for Angela if everyone knows what it means? Why not just straight up ask for help? And if it's meant to be kept as some kind of secret code, that defeats the purpose, as bartenders don't know about it either.

I just don't get it.

I agree!

I doubt anyone has ever used it as a code.

I agree. Better to say what the problem is.

Bar staff should know its code for I need to get out of this situation and they can take them to a place of safety, they can then take them to an area away from person that is causing them concern. How do you explain to a barman that the polite and pleasantly presented man who has just bought drinks is making you feel very uncomfortable or you feel under threat. This conversation is not needed

I know a few young women who have used it two it was helpful the other staff had didn't know what she was asking for

There was a thread on this a week ago with several detailed explanations of when it is useful. Do have a read.

But if everyone knows, so the person you are wanting assistance getting away from knows, why ask bar staff for Angela when the person know exactly what this means. How is asking for Angela any different than saying ‘help me get away from this guy’, when the guy knows that’s what asking for Angela is saying?

Exactly.

The hand gesture is different as it can be done unobtrusively. But if you're asking out loud, using a 'code' everyone knows isn't really different to saying it clearly.

Originally it was meant to be advertised only in the female toilets and the staff were trained but now they seem to put the advert everywhere. You are right it's pointless

You don't literally "ask for Angela", that's just an example so that people who haven't been directly involved in this kind of scheme can understand the principle and execute it in a way that works locally. Back when this was first introduced in the 1990s, it was typical that the phrase/name would change daily and both staff and members of the public who might need help would be discreetly made aware of it.

Originally it was meant to be advertised only in the female toilets and the staff were trained ... staff are still trained in places seriously committed to reducing the instances of VAWG and sexual assault - but yes, in places where there's no longer an expectation of single sex facilities, any predator can gain access to the code just as easily as the women in need of protection can. This has always been the case to a small extent - an individual woman sympathetic to, threatened by, or working with the abuser could access and publicise the current code, thus tipping off the abuser. Now there's no need for that extra layer in places where misogyny holds full institutional sway and women only spaces and services have been intentionally dismantled, because the whole safeguarding structure has gone and once again, women are prey.

I agree nowadays the date /unwanted attention is just as likely to know the meaning. We give away Sanitary products at my work the scheme is called ask Jackie. Not once in two years has someone asked for Jackie.

Who said everybody knows? Everybody doesn't know so if it helps even one person what's it to you? Feel free to think and implement something better instead of criticising

We have it at my work (service station). We’re a group of women, and we have been trained to basically remove the woman from the situation and keep them safe until the police arrive.

I’ll be honest, the idea of it makes me feel uncomfortable. I would call the police but no way would I get involved any further. I’m not putting myself or my team in danger

I had the same thought the other day.

Who said everybody knows? Everybody doesn't know so if it helps even one person what's it to you? Feel free to think and implement something better instead of criticising

well, one place I went to had it (being a poster/sign) in the general bar area. So everyone there would have known. In reality though if it’s something all women know, and all men who are employed behind a bar or other service industries that implement it, then it’s really a lot of people who know. My sons said they know and none of them work in bars so ??? Seemingly, most also knew that ovarian cancer stuff is on a lot of female toilet doors at the moment. No, they don’t use female toilets, but seems many females and have the toilet door as a topic of conversation?

My daughter and a friend were being hassled in a pub, they just spoke to the bar staff using normal words. Seemed to work for them.

OK well that's dumb having a poster in the general area. I do recall years ago seeing a poster in the women's toilets which I thought was a good idea. I also agree that you could just tell someone, but I assumed this was for people who had to be discreet

Yeah, I've wondered about that too. What about the staff's safety in all of this.