We taught them man-whispering because it was better than teaching them about the morning after pill and AIDS tests or never letting them have any freedom.
Earlier on this thread I was going to say I have not experienced attention from men in the street for many years. I walk very fast usually I think and look approachable perhaps
Or I block it out or something
And then walking home on the dark past the bus stop two older men said "hello young lady" I just ignored them
It wasn't dangerous, it probably wasnt sexual attention but it's the asking for attention from a woman that's so entitled and wrong. I wasn't scared and I'm not shook up. But in the context if this thread I was more aware than ever of how this low level intrusion is SO wrong and indicative of the power imbalance between men and women
I don't have a camera ( or that type of phone) but I'm not sure that taking a picture wouldn't be seen as too confrontational for the average wanker. Would that escalate a situation? I'd be interested what those versed in the art of whispering think of the idea of snapping pics of abusive men.
Unlikely to happen to me now - I've reached that magic age of near invisibilty, no one looks at women of a certain age. I walk around unnoticed, uncommented upon and unharrassed - this must be what it is like being a man. Unless I wear a nice hat and get complimented on for the hat by men and women - which is lovely.
Do blokes EVER think like this? On what should have been a mundane journey?
This is what interests me. All these stories, shit, if I sadly don't find them surprising.
Are they surprising to men? Do they know this shit happens and is really, really common? I'd be interested to hear more.
The average wanker would. But it’s entirely possible one wouldn’t, or would escalate. We can’t assume that being righteous makes us safe.The average wanker would probably try to run a mile, with the threat of mass exposure - his tiny junk going viral, etc. But that's guesswork. It's the thought of these tossers getting away with being a menace to others that rankles. And those who stand by, without trying to intervene. Are they that engrossed in their phones or are they just scared to get involved?
Back to the kind of men who get off on harassment. In Japan we have public transport gropers - chikan. This story did the rounds recently over here and it could probably lead to legal action for the tripper but there's something quite satisfactory about it. He clearly wasn't scared of getting involved.
Suspected chikan tripped up at Akabane Station | TokyoReporter
As for hats etc, I can only speak for myself but I got harassed often - obvs not on the scale that women get it - when living in London. I'm so not an alpha/macho male and have a penchant for garish attire
To be honest, yeah, I'm surprised (well, shocked or horrified) that this shit is so common.
At least, that was my first response.
But reading Glitter's post and question got me thinking.
That story resonated with me, as, yeah , I've often thought like that.
It's not the same.
But...
...as a man I've grown up learning strategies to deal with the threat of violence too.
The fear or threat of fights, of muggings etc.
I've done, still do, the "keys in hand". The avoiding eye contact, the changing routes to avoid drunken or intimidating men.
I've done the opposite too. Made myself appear intimidating, not a soft target, changing my posture, my pace, the look in my eyes...
It's not the same.
...and it doesn't stop me being shocked and horrified by your stories.
Similarly I often find myself going out of my way not to appear intimidating to certain people. I walk fairly fast so I’m quite conscious not to suddenly appear behind someone and have to try and squeeze past them on a narrow street, or change my route so it doesn’t look like I’m following them.I've done the opposite too. Made myself appear intimidating, not a soft target, changing my posture, my pace, the look in my eyes...
It's not the same.
...and it doesn't stop me being shocked and horrified by your stories.
Similarly I often find myself going out of my way not to appear intimidating to certain people. I walk fairly fast so I’m quite conscious not to suddenly appear behind someone and have to try and squeeze past them on a narrow street, or change my route so it doesn’t look like I’m following them.
Yep, I’d probably extend the last bit to some kids and older people too.Yeah. That too.
It's quite hard trying appear intimidating to some people (men) whilst at the same time not intimidating to others (women).
I don't have a camera ( or that type of phone) but I'm not sure that taking a picture wouldn't be seen as too confrontational for the average wanker. Would that escalate a situation? I'd be interested what those versed in the art of whispering think of the idea of snapping pics of abusive men.
Unlikely to happen to me now - I've reached that magic age of near invisibilty, no one looks at women of a certain age. I walk around unnoticed, uncommented upon and unharrassed - this must be what it is like being a man. Unless I wear a nice hat and get complimented on for the hat by men and women - which is lovely.
The average wanker would. But it’s entirely possible one wouldn’t, or would escalate. We can’t assume that being righteous makes us safe.
And even rescuers- an Australian guy rescued me from a man who was following me round J’maa al Fnaa shoving his hand between my legs. He walked me back to where I was staying; half way there the conversation changed and he put his arm round my shoulder, hand straying to my breast. Fortunately we were nearly there, there were people around the doorway, I could run in.... but we can never assume we are safe, that no one will take advantage, that people will respond in a logical way
Hopefully she told her mates ...Only then did I notice that his date /girlfriend was stood beside him.
For talking to the wrong woman I've been punched repeatly in the head, had a knife pulled on me and followed into a bathroom and strangled all by strangers to the women I was with. There are more but these ones stick in the memory.
I have embraced this fullyUnlikely to happen to me now - I've reached that magic age of near invisibilty, no one looks at women of a certain age. I walk around unnoticed, uncommented upon and unharrassed - this must be what it is like being a man. Unless I wear a nice hat and get complimented on for the hat by men and women - which is lovely.
Violence of all types seems to be more common amongst men. I'm not used to reading stats - can someone else look at the numbers?Am not surprised men also have to man whisper.
The problem is violence, and violence is overwhelmingly a male behaviour.
I have noticed that the papers often cover acts of violence by women, probably because it is rarer / more shocking.Younger adults were more likely to be victims of violent crimes than those in older age groups. This pattern was more pronounced for incidents where the perpetrator was a stranger or acquaintance compared with incidents of domestic violence.
Men were more likely to be victims of violent crime where the perpetrator was a stranger or acquaintance. However, women were more likely to be victims of domestic violence perpetrated by a partner or ex-partner, or other family member.
Over half (57%) of all violent incidents were experienced by repeat victims. This was most common among victims of domestic violence.
I was raised on female violence, from my mother among others, and I know among my peers I wasn't alone. I'm not talking about some formal "a smacked bottom", I'm talking about daily, casual lashing out at heads and faces for countless tiny infractions. My mother was way, way more likely to hit me than my father (who actually cried the one time he smacked me).
Anyway I think female violence towards adults is considerably less common than female violence towards kids. I still witness that in eg supermarkets with alarming frequency.
Off topic, but a response to the immediate subtopic above. Genuinely nervous to post on this thread tbh.
Same for me.Please don't be nervious. My mum beat some of us all the bloody time. She beat us girls. I can't remember my brothers ever copping it. She took out her impatience and frustration on us daily. She was also beaten as a child by her mother and she was emotionally and physically abused in her first marriage. My father never hit me once.
(((seventh bullet)))My dad beat us all black and blue, because he could. We were boys (male but not a physical threat) and a woman (my mum).