Woof Whistling

[user1]

Unfortunately this has got the better of me considering it's made me think negative and posting it here.

There were a group of young kids, around the age of 15 or so, and anxious as I am in public, I walked past them and was fine. Came back a few mins. later and as I walked in front of them again, one of them did a huge 'wolf whistle' which I know was aimed at me.

Have you been wolf whistled before?

 

[kihira]

I can imagine that this would have felt awful for you as its a group being vocal against one person. It seems so last century to be wolf whistling, anyway

welcome to spw, btw

 

[Flowers-Of-Bloom]

I'm pretty sure wolf whistling is considered to be sexual harassment and thus is a criminal offence in some countries. Just sayin'.
I wouldn't worry too much though. They're just a group of immature 15 year olds trying to impress their friends with their obnoxious behaviour.

 

[theslowesthand]

That would get the better of me as well (if they were boys .. are they boys or girls?)

It's not about age, they are unlikely to respect anyone properly. It's just about them wanting to find "outlets" for their own cr*p, eg sby to ridicule for amusement. All that's needed is the person to be even slightly anxious in public (for whatever reason), & they'll "attack" on impulse.
But for sure, being an older adult, & being victim to children or young adults is i think even more humuliating.

Neither does having a good, relaxed mood always help (it can though). As you might be feeling okay or fine, yet still have those anxieties in back of your mind .. which certain others are very good at detecting .. so they maybe try to target your triggers (which in their minds are weaknesses to be attacked).

I can recall one time i was wolf-whistled (perhaps had one or two more, can't recall). I was walking home after car broke down, wearing out-of-date (80s, was in 90s) bright pastel green longs. It came from a house i passed, so don't didn't see who it was. But i did the "finger" behind me at house as i continued walking.

 

[recluse]

I think it's vulgar behaviour. It's a classic for construction workers to do this but they don't realise that it makes women uncomfortable and objectified.

 

[laure15]

I have never woof whistled at anybody before, and even if I tried, no whistle would come out. But, in the past, there are people who woof whistled at me just to annoy me. When I was taking computer science classes, where the majority of the students were men, there were guys who think it's fun to do annoying things to me, including woof whistling.

 

[coyote]

i can't remember the last time i actually heard a wolf whistle in real life

apparently, it's not something that is done in this part of the world

 

[HappySquidward]

I think it's vulgar behaviour. It's a classic for construction workers to do this but they don't realise that it makes women uncomfortable and objectified.

I don't think teenage boys really care. It's really gross that kids were whistling at a women almost old enough to be there mother. I think what it comes down to is youth having no respect what so ever.

 

[Rembrandt Broam]

I wonder why it's called a "wolf whistle". Wolves don't whistle, they howl, and even if they did whistle I can't imagine they'd make a 'switswoo' type of sound. It'd probably be more sort of snarly or growly.

 

[GraybeardGhost]

I wonder why it's called a "wolf whistle". Wolves don't whistle, they howl, and even if they did whistle I can't imagine they'd make a 'switswoo' type of sound. It'd probably be more sort of snarly or growly.

Some wolves have four legs; some have only two. Both are skillful predators, but the latter variety has the unique ability to transform itself into an octopus when in the company of its favored prey, the shapely young lady.

 

[user deleted]

I wonder why it's called a "wolf whistle". Wolves don't whistle, they howl, and even if they did whistle I can't imagine they'd make a 'switswoo' type of sound. It'd probably be more sort of snarly or growly.

Historically wolves have been symbolic of sexual aggression and lust. If you look at Little Red-Cape for example, the wolf in that is an allegorical representation of a predatory male who is attempting to prey on a young girl's innocence. I don't know where the whistle came from though.

Edit: I searched the etymology, apparently whistling has been a signal of male sexual approval since ancient times. I guess it stands to reason the two were combined.

Plautus’ Mercator (403-408). Here the father Demipho says to his son Charinus with reference to the beautiful slavegirl they both secretly love and whom the son pretends to have bought for his mother: “I can’t permit it. She is hardly the proper sort of person to attend your mother.” Char.: “Why not?” Dem.: “Because it would cause scandal if such a beauty were the attendant of a wife and mother; when she passes through the streets all the men would look at her, leer, nod and wink and whistle

Thanks, Google.