“Outdated” whistling banned by building firm By Laura Clout, 03/04/2008
A building firm has banned workers from wolf-whistling, for fear the “outdated” tradition will scare away female househunters.
George Wimpey in Bristol issued a directive to staff at all seven of its sites in the region that the practice would no longer be tolerated, for fear of intimidating “savvy and sophisticated” female buyers.
The ban, which could be extended nationwide, will apply from 9am this morning.
Sales and Marketing Director Richard Goad said: “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.”
A spokeswoman said no punishment had been devised, as the company did not expect any builders to breach the ban.
The move comes ahead of the launch of the city’s Meridian housing development, at the Aztec Hotel on Saturday.
The company has previously told workers not to take off their shirts on site, to reduce the risk of skin cancer.
