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Wolf whistling - a hate crime ??

(113 Posts)
NanaandGrampy Thu 14-Jul-16 08:32:01

I saw this today :-

www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/nottinghamshire-police-to-count-wolf-whistling-in-street-as-a-hate-crime/ar-BBuiDdz?li=BBoPOOl&ocid=spartanntp

From a personal point of view I cannot for the life of me see how wolf whistling can be construed as a hate crime ! That's like taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

You may be offended by a wolf whistle, you may encourage it . You may find it slightly intimidating but a hate crime?

trisher Sat 16-Jul-16 17:15:45

I agree thatbags, but if the men who target women find they enjoy causing upset and fear they may progress to frightening others and then if challenged commit assaults. I am not suggesting all wolf whistles should be dealt with, just that if someone reports an incident to the police because of fear there should be some way of dealing with it. At present only repeated incidents are worth reporting.

daphnedill Sat 16-Jul-16 17:19:50

@oldperson

Work on the misogyny project began in 2014. The new acting female Chief Constable didn't take up her role until 23 June 2016.

www.nottinghampost.com/nottinghamshire-police-chief-constable-leave-role/story-29248893-detail/story.html

farmgran Sun 17-Jul-16 00:05:04

I'd just be a bit miffed if I thought they were being sarcastic!

thatbags Sun 17-Jul-16 11:02:06

Rod Liddle's got issues. Here's his take. Some people won't find it funny. It is OTT but he has a point.

Skweek1 Sun 17-Jul-16 13:49:15

When I was young, I loved being in Spain, where every passing woman expected and accepted the "piropiro" - anything from a beautiful flowery compliment to the wolf-whistle. It was harmless, fun and flattering charming gesture and we were advised to take it in the manner it was meant - two or more girls out together were advised to pretend to ignore it, but smile and giggle to make sure that the men recognised that we were aware of the gesture. Haven't been back for years and it's probably now long-since lost or frowned upon as "misogeny", "hate crime" or somwthing equally silly!

sarahc446655 Sun 17-Jul-16 14:25:45

I didnt know they wolf whistled any more - but any un-wanted attention is intended to be intimidating and if it works the more they'll do it. The only answer is to give more back - such as staring fixedly at them (most males aren't used to it and dont like it) or shout "Show us your Dick love!" honestly any retaliation leaves them stunned. To add to the effect sing the following song loudly:
"I like a nice bit of c**k with my dinner, and nice bit of c**k with my tea and what goes down a treat you're right - is a nice bit of c**k the squeamish can replace the word C**k with Dick.

sarahc446655 Sun 17-Jul-16 14:30:40

Footnote - terms like Hate Crime and the rest of the definitions we're supposed to adhere to that have been imposed on us by left wing nazis should be completely disregarded - there should now be a campaign to say all forbidden words, repeatedly whenever you get the chance - preferably in a public place, then ask any objectors, where they're wont be many as that is doing something, what they're going to do about it.

Rosina Sun 17-Jul-16 14:57:39

To pick up on a comment made earlier about girls and drunkeness; that is something that really does worry me. 'Having lived in a large town until a few years ago it was common late in the evening if we were leaving the theatre or a restaurant to see dozens of young people - all smarty dressed, not offensive, just noisy and having a good time, going up and down the High Street.

Among them though would be a few girls absolutely off their heads - presumably with alcohol - staggering about, falling down, and completely out of control. They would usually have nightclub type clothes - scanty and short - and it was not unusual to see their more sober friends trying to pull a slipping top up or a skirt down as they were falling about and showing a lot more than they should. We tried to help one girl who was flat out on the pavement but her friends said she was fine and they all staggered off. I wondered if they got home unscathed. When Joanna Lumley said a few years ago that women shouldn't put themselves into situations where they have no idea what is happening to them, she was shouted down by feminists. I would be interested to hear that Gransnetters think.

daphnedill Sun 17-Jul-16 15:11:42

@sarahc

Left wing nazis?

Sorry, I don't understand the last part of your post.

@Rosina

It doesn't make sense to leave your front door unlocked if you go out, but it doesn't excuse a burglar from walking in through your open door.

trisher Sun 17-Jul-16 19:42:27

sarahc if a young woman on her own tried your suggestions to deal with a group of aggressive young men who were abusing her they would almost certainly respond by doing exactly as she suggested.And the song might encourage them to put into practice the things they have suggested they would like to do to her.
As far as forbidden words go come and take a trip into the city centre late in the evening and listen to the language around you. There aren't any forbidden words and you might learn some expressions that are new to you.
Rosina No one should deliberately put themselves in a position where they are at risk, male or female.

etheltbags1 Sun 17-Jul-16 21:36:33

Irony think its a hate crime but its nasty, the men should keep their whistles and remarks to themselves, there is no need to embarrass women in this way. I hated it when I was younger I think women should dress to please themselves and any woman deresting to attract a man is foolish and self centred not to say brainless.

tiffaney Mon 18-Jul-16 07:16:03

In my teens and twenties I would blush to the roots of my hair if anyone wolf whistled at me. Then one day I saw a handsome chap working on a building site nearby where I worked. I tried a bit of 'reverse psychology' and wolf whistled at him. We have been happily married for 45 years, so do I think it's a hate crime?