| Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Thu, 03 April 2008 10:44  |
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A leading building firm has banned its brickies from wolf-whistling at women, saying the "outdated" tradition has become a distraction for young househunters.
George Wimpey in Bristol outlawed the custom of builders showing their appreciation of women walking below the scaffolding, for fear of putting off "savvy and sophisticated" buyers visiting sites.
Sales and Marketing Director Richard Goad has told staff in a memo that Bristol builders would not be able to wolf-whistle on any of the city's six sites from now on.
A Wimpey spokeswoman said he believes "the wolf-whistle is outdated and should be a thing of the past", given today's sophisticated buyers.
Mr Goad insists: "In the 21st century the wolf whistle is out of place. Our buyers know what they want and the general feeling is that women won't stand for being whistled at by builders.
"Similarly, men report finding it insulting when their loved ones are whistled and it causes unnecessary tension on what should be an enjoyable search for a new home.
"The builders I've spoken to on all of the sites are happy enough with the ban. As far as they are concerned, if it encourages more women to visit our developments, then they think it can only be a good thing."
George Wimpey said the ruling currently applied only to its Bristol sites, but did not rule out extending it nationwide.
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Thu, 03 April 2008 15:13  |
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I think George's last name says it all. Might be interesting to create a poll to see how many women here enjoy receiving a whistle or not.
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Thu, 03 April 2008 17:03 |
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I agree with George Wimpey. Wolf whistling is an anachronistic thing and belongs to the last century. A lot of women are embarrassed about it and their partners probably find it offensive.
Over the years, I've noticed a move towards a more professional building trade. In the Eighties, it was common to go past a building site and be the subject of a volley of rude remarks, gestures and other infantile, boorish behaviour. This sort of stuff belonged in the school yard, yet grown men were exhibiting it.
After the Eighties and the nineties, the building trade smartened up its act. No more bare-chested blokes or shorts or anything like that were seen, at least on the building sites, I've been past. It has become the law that workmen wore high visibility jackets, hard hats and other safety gear. Most of them couldn't work on the site without these. In turn, attitudes changed. If a woman walked past a building site, no more cat calls, wolf whistles, rude gestures or shouting. Again, I've seen this and I've seen a lot of women who would probably have warranted such unwelcome attention years ago, walk past a building site and there's been silence.
Incredible!
I hope IT does catch on.
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Thu, 03 April 2008 20:40 |
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God help us all when Mich walks past a buliding site 
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Thu, 03 April 2008 22:03 |
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| No trousers please wrote on Thu, 03 April 2008 20:40 |
God help us all when Mich walks past a buliding site
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Somehow I don't think they'd even want to whistle at her..
You know what they say about those who shout the loudest!
Damn those menfolk for even having a thought about women, we should all walk about with blind folds when women (especially those in stockings) walk near us! either that or I think Crucifixion might be more appropriate?
OTT springs to mind... every time.. 
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Thu, 03 April 2008 22:49 |
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Fri, 04 April 2008 00:22 |
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I still like to wolf whisltle from my cab.
Christ what will people find to ban next,god forbid, flashing stocking tops!!
OOOPS sorry,Mich is on here,best put my tin hat on for the rollicking i'm bound to get!
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Fri, 04 April 2008 07:29 |
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Morning all,
I don't think the problem lies with a wolf whistle (though I would never do it myself) it always seemed to me to be the inappropriate comments and gestures that went with it. Do you guys honestly want a bunch of men shouting across the street about what they want to do your wife or g/f or whatever? Some of the things you used to hear were pretty crude.
And, put yourself in the place of a lone woman when confronted with all this crudity, quite intimidating I would think.
Now, I hate pc as much as anyone, but...is there any call to be so rude to Mich? Just reinforces her point, don't you think? Aren't us men on here supposed to be about respectful appreciation?
Regards,
T.
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Fri, 04 April 2008 18:30 |
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I have to admit a love to hear a whistle! It makes my day, that is if it is actually me they are whistling at 
Crystal
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Fri, 04 April 2008 19:33 |
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This is a touchy subject for me at the moment-I genuinely don't mind a cheeky wolf whistle, or comment, but I had a scary incident last summer. I was out walking the dog, just on the outskirts of our village, and as I crossed the road, a car slowly went by with 3 chav scum in it, who leaned out the window and shouted out various things about my bum, the joddys and boots I was wearing, and that "you want that a**e slapping". I gave them a sort of smile and carried on as they went past me. They then turned the car around, and followed me along the road, and the one in the pasenger seat leaned out and attempted to slap me on the bum as they went past. As luck would have it, the road was actually quite busy, and as it was biker night at a local pub, a group of about 6 bikers saw the incident, and closed around the chav saxo, whilst one stopped to help me. Turns out, the bikers were mostly coppers! Within a few minutes, a police van, 2 cars and numerous CSPO's were happily arresting the aforementioned chavs- who were all under the age of 20. It never got to court, as they all accepted Police cautions, 2 for abusive behaviour, and the actual slapper for assault, I think.
So a harmless whistle is ok, but a slap on the bum can lead to legal action!
Jenna xxx
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Fri, 04 April 2008 19:45 |
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| Quote |
God help us all when Mich walks past a buliding site
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For the record, I've walked past loads of building sites and have had no trouble at all, either now or in the 1990s when I was younger!
I think by the tone of your comment you've made sense of the oft quoted remark - its better to keep your mouth shut and have everyone guess than open your mouth and confirm what an idiot you are!
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Somehow I don't think they'd even want to whistle at her..
You know what they say about those who shout the loudest!
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Oh they have whistled at me, plenty of times! And stockingslover 2008, you'd better check your knuckles because from the way they bleed, you must be scraping them a lot on the gravel!
I actually thought we were living in the 21st century instead of the Dark Ages.
Seems I was wrong!
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Fri, 04 April 2008 20:48 |
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Hellfire Jenna,that is bad,can't they be happy with a whistle and go on there way,that is scary,could have turned out very nasty,thank god for the biker's.
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Fri, 04 April 2008 21:47 |
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I personally love a cheeky wolf whistle or 'morning love' comment coupled with a grin and a wink - it makes my day when I walk past the builders and they say hello. I smile back and everyone's happy, so no harm done.
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Fri, 04 April 2008 22:11 |
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Sorry to hear about your bad experience Jenna, it must have been terrifying. To be honest though I think most whistling builders (and cabbies) would have come to your aid, cos what they do is 99.9% all in fun. Once again its about a moronic minority who take things too far.
Jo
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Fri, 04 April 2008 23:47 |
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That's the point isn't it? Boundaries - a cheeky wolf whistle is fine - but as some have proved there is a bit of misogynous behaviour going on on this very forum. Don't "take it on the chin" and we'll slag you off!
And I don't think (horrible as Jennas experience sounds) sympathising with someone who has been genuinely harassed really buys you the necessary credits.
Oh, and by the way Stockinglover 2008, if you're putting down Gynaecologist as your occupation you might at least learn how to spell it!
Regards,
T.
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Sat, 05 April 2008 09:13 |
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Just trying to have a bit of a laugh and banter with like-minded, fun-loving types...no offence intended. 
Jo
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Fri, 11 April 2008 13:55 |
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| Torkemada wrote on Fri, 04 April 2008 23:47 |
That's the point isn't it? Boundaries - a cheeky wolf whistle is fine - but as some have proved there is a bit of misogynous behaviour going on on this very forum. Don't "take it on the chin" and we'll slag you off!
And I don't think (horrible as Jennas experience sounds) sympathising with someone who has been genuinely harassed really buys you the necessary credits.
Oh, and by the way Stockinglover 2008, if you're putting down Gynaecologist as your occupation you might at least learn how to spell it!
Regards,
T.
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So I missed a single letter AND I'm Dyslexic! at least I try, which is more than I can say for some!
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Fri, 11 April 2008 18:05 |
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We could say EVERYTHING that's fun or sexy is 'anachronistic and belongs to the last century'. Like ladies showing stocking tops? Like men looking as they show them? We're becoming such a dreary, stuffy, moralistic lot.
After all, SHQ itself is 'anachronistic'. Women showing off their stockings and suspenders, or at least writing about something glamorous instead of discussing Nietszche. Men leg-watching, and writing aboutwhether FF's are better than hold-ups, or 6 straps better than 4, when they could be installing energy-saving devices in the home.
I think a smiling wolf-whistle gives most women a lift.
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Fri, 11 April 2008 18:20 |
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wolf whistling is great surely the ladys out there appreciate the gesture i mean builders hardly ever wolf whistle at a monster do they
come on girls accept the compliment when its given
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Fri, 11 April 2008 20:26 |
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come on girls accept the compliment when its given
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Yes, but is it a compliment? Most of the time, wolf-whistling is accompanied by rather lurid and frankly disgusting comments.
Thought we had moved on from that in the 20th century....
Obviously not.
Anyway, don't builders have a job to do on a building site? Like build? I'd prefer a builder to just get on with his job and ignore me. That way, they would build much quicker.
These days, I hardly ever see builders making lurid gestures at any woman, pretty or not. Most of them are busy doing their jobs.
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Sat, 12 April 2008 11:26 |
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Of course its a compliment
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Sat, 12 April 2008 18:42 |
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Should I state that I don't find it complimentary. Just pointless.
Its like saying to a woman who has had a member of her family die - 'cheer up, love, it'll never happen'. Pointless and thoughtless.
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Sat, 12 April 2008 18:46 |
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I think thats a very poor comparison
lets face it a builder will not whistle at a vicky pollard type
They will only whistle at women looking sexy
Whistling is not against the law so you either have to accept it or failiong that dont go walking past building sites
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Sat, 12 April 2008 19:17 |
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| andysffs wrote on Sat, 12 April 2008 18:46 |
I think thats a very poor comparison
lets face it a builder will not whistle at a vicky pollard type
They will only whistle at women looking sexy
Whistling is not against the law so you either have to accept it or failiong that dont go walking past building sites
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Wonder if you would feel the same if most building sites were populated by gay builders who wolf-whistled you?
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Sat, 12 April 2008 19:21 |
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| Mich wrote on Fri, 11 April 2008 20:26 |
Most of the time, wolf-whistling is accompanied by rather lurid and frankly disgusting comments.
Thought we had moved on from that in the 20th century....
Obviously not.
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If Gene Hunt worked on a building site, would he wolf-whistle and make lurid comments? I think he might...
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Sun, 13 April 2008 00:43 |
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It really would not bother me as i would take it as an act of appreciation of my fine form
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Sun, 13 April 2008 19:54 |
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They will only whistle at women looking sexy
Whistling is not against the law so you either have to accept it or failing that dont go walking past building sites
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Well, if Mr Wimpey has his way..... wolf whistling may go the way of the dodo and Harriet Harman is in the process of getting rid of pub customers who call their lady bar staff 'love' or 'darling'.
Andyffs, you will probably find it easier to moan to the government about all this, than me. You might get your whistling back.
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Mon, 14 April 2008 00:42 |
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| MissVein wrote on Fri, 04 April 2008 21:47 |
I personally love a cheeky wolf whistle or 'morning love' comment coupled with a grin and a wink - it makes my day when I walk past the builders and they say hello. I smile back and everyone's happy, so no harm done.
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Couldnt agree more 
Diet coke break ladies?!! 
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Mon, 14 April 2008 08:13 |
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| Mich wrote on Sun, 13 April 2008 19:54 |
| Quote |
They will only whistle at women looking sexy
Whistling is not against the law so you either have to accept it or failing that dont go walking past building sites
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Well, if Mr Wimpey has his way..... wolf whistling may go the way of the dodo and Harriet Harman is in the process of getting rid of pub customers who call their lady bar staff 'love' or 'darling'.
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When New Labour decided to morph into Old Tory, why oh why couldn't they have ditched the 'loony left' element along with everything else.
I don't happen to call people 'love' or 'darling', but it's surely no different to one bloke calling another (relative stranger) 'mate' (something that does irritate me, but I wouldn't legislate about it!)
And I thought Harman was one of the more sensible members of the Cabinet...
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Mon, 14 April 2008 21:44 |
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And I thought Harman was one of the more sensible members of the Cabinet...
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Really? This was the woman who wanted to introduce super casinos to Britain.
About as sensible as Red Ken in one of his better moments.... very few.
Give me Boris Johnson..... he really CAN'T do any worse as Mayor.
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Tue, 15 April 2008 01:28 |
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| Mich wrote on Mon, 14 April 2008 21:44 |
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And I thought Harman was one of the more sensible members of the Cabinet...
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Really? This was the woman who wanted to introduce super casinos to Britain.
About as sensible as Red Ken in one of his better moments.... very few.
Give me Boris Johnson..... he really CAN'T do any worse as Mayor.
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'fraid I like Red Ken (apart from bendy-buses, which were ill-conceived) - Boris is a joke.
I photographed HH at a party meeting she attended in my home town last year - she came across as genuinely interested in people's concerns & didn't spout any loony claptrap. Mind you, she was planning to run for Deputy Leader, so I suppose she wouldn't have...
I don't know (or care) enough about the casino business to really comment on that.
One question - did the news about her & pub clientèle come from a gutter rag like The Mail (the paper that recently castigated Max Mosley whilst conveniently forgetting that it had supported his father)? Thinking about it, does sound like the sort of rubbish journos love to invent to discredit politicians (like they need help).
And yes, I know this is getting seriously off-topic.... 
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Tue, 15 April 2008 20:39 |
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'fraid I like Red Ken (apart from bendy-buses, which were ill-conceived) - Boris is a joke
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You like Red Ken? What's there to like? I remember him from the 1980s when he was running the GLC. He couldn't run that properly. I bet all those loonies remember him from the GLC days and voted him as Mayor for a laugh!
As for the congestion charge... big mistake. And bendy buses - just typical of Red Ken to get rid of the great Routemaster. Real shame that.
I think between me and you, Ken just dreamed up the congestion charge to whack Jeremy Clarkson and his chums over the head every time they drive their posh 2 litre V8s into London!
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| Re: Builder bans wolf-whistling - hope this doesn't catch on - lol! |
Wed, 16 April 2008 10:32 |
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[quote title=Mich wrote on Tue, 15 April 2008 20:39]| Quote |
I think between me and you, Ken just dreamed up the congestion charge to whack Jeremy Clarkson and his chums over the head every time they drive their posh 2 litre V8s into London!
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does he need a better reason than that?
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