Wolf Whistle

[Chocodrops]

This morning I was walking alone down a street near my home and went past a building site. Someone is having a loft extension by the look of it.

A builder I did not see threw out a single wolf whistle at me.

I didn't respond but I've been left with it in the back of my mind all day. The firm is a small local one, they have billboards for their brand all over the site. Should I contact them and call this out?

On the one hand; fighting everyday sexism, using my voice. On the other hand over such a small thing would my email just be laughed at as they pass it round the office? Or worse, could it trigger a load of abuse I can't handle? Feminists, help! 😣

Maybe it was a sneaky middle class professional using the builders as cover?

Would fit in with the loft extension.

I'd tackle the perpetrator now that I'm old (and don't get wolf-whistled anymore - I think there's a link there...). I can imagine eye-rolling, but that you also get an apology. That's why I'd rather face down the man who did it and explain why it's not OK and how it made you feel

... sorry, I meant eye rolling but a trite apology if you write a letter

Please do report it. All building companies really do need to have a chat with their employess about not harassing women (at least while they are at work) as it reflects badly on the company.

All larger building firms have strict policies about wolf whistling or verbal harassment. That's why it's a rare occurrence now.

I'd contact the firm. They'll know what normal practice is now and will likely be mortified.

This sort of harrassment is far less frequent than it once was-probably because women report it (I have)- and probably why it was only one whistle. Complaining is unlikely to trigger abuse and if it does you'll do what you need to do. If they laugh in the office who cares? They'll tell the crew if you did it, stop it. They'll likely write to you apologising.
Even more important to complain since its a local firm. National construction firms sign up to guidelines and teach their staff not to do harrassment.

Funny how some people think educational level and sexual harrassment are inversely related. Also how having a penis and finding women attractive justifies sexual harrassment. Poster do not report the harrassment its not nice and it will undermine his confidence as a man and he might never talk to a woman again. That would be a really bad thing and it would be your fault.

Creepy analogy but street harassment is rather like rats. If you see one you can be sure there are fifty you did not see.
For every time street harassment is reported there are fifty or more times it is not.

dog, your poorly educated sub text wasn't sufficiently sub to pretend anyone misunderstood you.

I find reading the words that are written and deciding what they mean a fulfilling way to live. Its one of the reasons I enjoy coming to an internet forum.

My apologies for giving the derailer an assist.

It was probably just another human being, probably poorly educated, who for biological reasons found you attractive.

Yeah, and having to start being 'understanding' of the poor men's need to sexually harass me started at 11 years old. Continued to increase as I entered my early teens and continued for decades.

I for one am really glad it's treated seriously now so hopefully my little girl won't have to deal with as much of it as I did. Please report.

Load of old crap - the world has gone mad, we can no longer have fun, banter, a piss take - yes sure sometimes people over do it but we are turning into a nation of zombies afraid to do anything for fear of offending. WTF is wrong with a wolf whistle - I would love it! Get over yourself !

Wolf whistles are acts of aggression. I am a 70yo old woman who was recently wolf whistled by a man I'd guess is in his thirties. There is a history of hostility (between his family and mine) and I've never even looked at this man. When I was younger I tested this 'wolf whistles are a compliment' theory. When ever I was wolf whistled I'd turn and smile. Almost always either the man would say something obscene or something outright abusive. I'd rarely get a nice smile back.

It won't take more than tory seconds to fire off an email. 'Dear building comanpy, your employee at x address whistled at me today as I walked passed. I reccoment you consider basic manners training for all your staff. I am sure that your clients would be mortified if they knew what had happened.'

@Putspoken it is very uncpoth to make noises instead of using words. Wolf whistling is doubly uncouth because it is a noise intended as a comment on a person's appearance and it is c rude to comment on a strangers appearance. This is because it is presumptuous, the presumption being that the subject of the comment gives a shot about what the whistler thinks. In some situations that presumption is insulting, namely when the subject shouldn't be concerned about what the whistler thinks (for example if the subject is married/in a monogamoys relationship, belongd to a culture that values modest or, has made a vote of chastity). It is very clearly rude and disrespectful.

Drunken idiocy on planes is annoying.

It does not compare with constant street harassment that starts in childhood. Some of which turns threatening and violent. I've was sexually assaulted as a thirteen year old in the street in what was very obviously a 'laugh' by a group of men. I dreaded walking past building sites as a child and had no idea how to react. That feeling didn't magically disappear when I turned 18.

Of course men aren't stupid enough to turn really nasty in front of other men so you can all plead ignorance. Must be nice. You never know when that whistle is going to turn into a comment, a grab, an assault. So why not just not put your lips together and blow. I promise your dick won't fall off.

Did you feel offended by it though? If not, I would just let it go. I haven't been whistled at for so long, I'd probably have just laughed.

My life is fabulous thanks. I like my life. My experience of sexual harassment has been awful. That's why I don't like sexual harassment. It's quite odd that you seem unable to separate the two. Especially considering I can.