“I like your hair “ is not the same as “ sexy slippers “.
Especially when said to a young woman on her own door step by a man old enough to be her father who is a total stranger. And when he is from the group who are responsible for 98% of sexual assaults.
Even “ I like your hair “ is inappropriate depending on context. Would you say it to
A police officer who has stopped your car for speeding
An interviewer at a job interview
Your child’s head teacher who you have never met before
A medical consultant when you are in hospital
Your dentist while she’s doing a root treatment on you
A director of the company on your first day in the job
A judge when you are in court as a witness
The pharmacist when you pick up your prescription
No you wouldn’t . It’s the kind of comment you make when you have a personal ( not a business ) relationship with someone.
And it usually said to your peers or someone lower in status than you.
Context is everything.
So “ sexy slippers “ is inappropriate because
- It’s not a personal relationship
- He is providing a service to her, she is the paying customer
- We live in a society where men ( as a class ) sexually harass and assault women ( as a class ).
- He’s old enough to be her father
- He’s trying to move the interaction from business like to personal. Most women know to be wary of that because if they rebuff it they are “rude “ and if they don’t, they were “ leading him on “ and “sending mixed messages “.
Every single woman reading this thread has been in this situation - a man tries to strike up a conversation she doesn’t want , but she has to got along with it because of fear of how he will react if she chooses not to interact. Many men are rude or aggressive or even threatening of you rebuff them.
And ( in this situation ) they know your name, address and phone number. They probably k ow you are home alone. So we smile or play along for our own safety.
Most decent men who do this job ( or any other where they enter women’s homes ) and are extremely careful of how they behave. Because they understand how threatening it can be for a woman alone / with her children.
Decent, honourable men go out of their way to show they are just there to do a job and will be polite and respectful. Because they are aware of the context.