I should explain, the survey found that builders don't think wolf-whistling is acceptable these days. It's not a survey saying women are just letting themselves go.
The research found that 56% would not wolf-whistle because they believe the practice is sexist and chauvinistic.
I don't believe it. I believe they won't wolf-whistle but I think the real reason behind it that they have finally cottoned on to the fact that is doesn't work. For decades they have been whistling at women from their scaffolding and not once have they pulled. No woman has heard the, "Oi oi, darlin'!" turned back and run towards the sweaty builder, ripping off her clothes as she goes.
There's only so long you can keep failing before you start to think your approach might be wrong.
The poll showed a further 19% would also avoid wolf-whistling, not because it was sexist, but because they were worried that they might be sued for sexual harassment.
Does that happen often? I've never seen the issue covered on the Channel 5 TV show Cowbow Builders. You don't get a final showdown when Dominic Littlewood catches up with the builder and then...
DOMINIC: Oi! I want to have a word with you.
BUILDER: What?
DOMINIC: In 2010 you did the bathroom for Sarah Watkins.
BUILDER: Yeah, what of it? I did that job proper.
DOMINIC: Oh, the bathroom is fine, but you looked at her in a polo neck jumper and said, "You don't get many of them to the pound."
Jazz Gakhal, head of Direct Line for Business, which commissioned the poll, said: "The research reveals changing attitudes to acceptable behaviour in the workplace, with people labelling behaviour other generations might have tolerated as outdated and inappropriate."
Hmm. Or it just means Polish builders have better manners.
If incidence of wolf-whistling increase in and around the local Job Centre Plus, I think we're onto something.
>Read the source story
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