I can see many points,but as with anything,the solution,can go
overboard.I recently,worked for a Security Company.It shall remain nameless but they did alot of subcontracting work,for
Liberty Mutual.My wife works for Liberty.She told me to be careful
of what I said to women that I worked with & usually joked around with.She said that they had recently had "harrassment"
classes at work.She said that they went so overboard,that many
men were afraid to tell you that you looked nice that morning,
because someone,might overhear,and turn them in! Irish
P.S.In other words-what some,took as a compliment,others took
as harrassment!

I like all the dirty words mentioned, during sex, but not at any other time. I personally love to feel slutty when having sex, so am glad to be called that. Like Cheyanne I have never experienced sexual harrassment, or maybe it was but I took it as flirting, and even though I am married I am a FLIRT!

I had a girl friend call me a Nympho recently, as a term of endearmtent. I was not offended.

What I do wonder is what guys say we are when they are talking among themselves. In my younger, wild days I am sure I was called a slut, with all of it's bad connotations. Now if I flirt, when the guys get over a beer I am always wondering if they use those words.

I respect all people until they've given me a reason not to. But I don't disrespect anyone. I might tell you exactly what my problem with you is, but I'm not going to disrespect you.

I get annoyed being shoehorned into the category of "all men care about is sex and they'd fuck anything that didn't run away from them". Gee, that doesn't say much for your ability to run. You need a head start or something? Hell, if that's what you think...I'll hold the door and take a nap. Will that be enough time for you?

You can usually look behind the words to the attitude.Sometimes you can get the feeling that someone is a chauvinist schwein without them even uttering an oink. Celticangel is right.It's not the words,but where they are comming from.A question.Does anybody have access to the Sunday Magazine in the New York Times? An article which was discussed in length on NPR last night.While we Pixies love and celebrate our sexuality and are free to discuss anything,a 180 degree turn ino the dark side of human refuse.Makes you want to tear your heart out.

Lakritze,

The article sounds substantial. What was it about?

Something I find really demeaning is when a man is talking to a woman (NOT his girlfriend or daughter or wife) and calls her "hon" or "sweetheart". Totally fries me because it puts the woman in a subservient position, whether that's his intention or not. Of course, she can correct him, but then she's a "bitch".

I like that my sweetheart always refers to me as "his lady"... not his girlfriend, but his lady.

The article I am referring to in the Sunday 1/25/2004 addition of the New York Times Magazine section is The Girls Next Door by Peter Landesman.I did not read it directly,I don't subscribe to the Times, but I hear the interview with Landesman on National Public Radio the next night.The article is about the sex slave trade that involves young girls from all parts of the world and how the traffic and treatment of them.

I work in a career that is 90% female. Guys are refered to as "Hey, you."

Lakritze,

Yes indeed, the sex slave (read female) trade is alive and well. One of the side effects of the downfall of the Soviet Union was the increase in the European trade.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/as...fic/3187304.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/3238033.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3040388.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2884661.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2770617.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1724057.stm

It is a world wide problem, and has yet to receive the attention and resources needed to effectively combat it.

One side effect of the downfall of the Soviet Union is that it left America as the only super power.

Lakritze,

While what you say is true, it is only a temporary condition.

Let us return to the point of the thread: Have you had to deal with harassment or sexism on the job or in other aspects of your daily lives. The list of the references and circumstances that piss you off in general, was, if I may take the liberty of interpreting Lilith’s opening post, in reference to “sexist degrading crapola”, rather than to geopolitics.

I curse a blue streak. I'm listening to a discussion on talk radio now where they're discussing the 'f' word.

A word is only offensive if you allow yourself to be offended, says the broadcaster.

I agree. Most of my friends curse all the time. It could be that a lot of us work in an environment that deals with sex and angry customers but I dunno. I use it for emphasis but also have a large vocabulary.

The "c" word used to be my last hold out but a lot of my Brit friends use it and I'm used to it now.

Steph,

I must admit that I remain uncomfortable with the "c" word.

I don't entirely agree with the broadcaster. lakritze has a valid point when he says "You can usually look behind the words to the attitude.Sometimes you can get the feeling that someone is a chauvinist schwein without them even uttering an oink." If the broadcaster's point was that an expression is offensive only if you let it be - if it is inadvertent, well OK.

When someone appears or seems to be intentionally discourteous, or even overtly inconsiderate, I am rather more suspicious of what would otherwise be innocuous.

I think if it is said in a positive context any chosen word can be good. The trick is to know your audience. What will they respond favorably to?!

As for work/life situations, I've had guys (and women) come on to me at work and else where. As long as they respect me if I say I'm not interested right now, its a knock on the door. Don't push where your not wanted and walk in freely if invited!

It can be a real issue if people (esp. women) are two-faced. Don't stand around telling jokes and comming onto people and then cry foul!!!