An important issue that needs to be addressed.
Personally, I am tired of and ANGRY about creepy and predatory behaviour by some men; unfortunately, including the few instances that occur on this site.
Now, to Admin's credit, they deal with the person in question swiftly when reported by the woman in question, including the instance below that has prompted this post.
So thank you @Admin!
However, I believe this post is still important, as it focuses on prevention, and protection of our ladies.
Therefore, I proceed.....
Ladies, if a man messages you, and you don't feel comfortable, please let him know immediately.
If it's a lewd or degrading message, don't just block him; report him, as he may be doing it to others too, either currently or in the future.
If a man messages anything even remotely like the following to a woman, and thinks it's ok, then there is something drastically wrong!
This is what a friend's daughter, also on here, received in her private messages, from a man (in this instance, significantly her senior), as a very first contact message:
“ yes, you are a pretty big deal, very beautiful and sound like you know what you want. And you do not want to manage anyone else cool, I would enjoy having you as a friend. To old for a relationship but never too old for friends. To say I would not like to sleep with you where were would do everything but sleep is a fallacy you are hot and any sane man would welcome the chance to be your friend with the benefit of knowing a good carting person, have fun.”
That was the very first message he sent.
So ladies, this needs to be reported, not just blocked.
Now fellas....
What goes through our minds to think this sort of approach is at all ok?!
In the last week, there have been unsolicited penis photos sent, lewd and dodgy messages like the above, and the great women on here are unsure of how to respond to these sick, degrading, predatory actions!
The fact is; they shouldn't have to face them in the first place.
So here's the thing. I'm going to make it easy for us with a couple of simple suggestions:
Unless it is a generic 'welcome to the site' message, which I often send, I don't think the women here appreciate private contact if we haven't had any interaction with them in the forums.
Women don't want to receive such unsolicited creepy messages from anyone! Say hello! We should never start off contact with anything about her appearance, or sex, or any such thing. It's a matter of basic respect.
If a woman replies to you and says you've made her uncomfortable, apologise, then back away completely. Nor should we be offended for being blocked because of the way something is received.
Many women have been abused and mistreated. We here consider ourselves intelligent freethinkers. Therefore, we need to act like it! All women deserve respect and courtesy. No woman deserves to feel unsafe or attacked, or stalked. None!
Men, there needs to be a fundamental shift in our mindset and actions towards women, and I'm sure most of us here treat women well, with respect.
But I'm making this all-encompassing, not singling out one person, because it's an important message for all of us.
This is NOT a message of 'us vs them', or men vs women.
This is actually a message of hope.
Hope that we can all stand strong together, shoulder-to-shoulder. Stand against harassment and mistreatment of our members.
Hope that we can all analyse our own actions and approaches to each other; yes, this of course includes me too.
Let's enjoy all the great benefits of the site, in a happy, safe and respectful environment.
JFC. Once again, I see the absolutely bizarre, obviously unacceptable, were-you-raised-by-wolves-dude kind of conduct of another man. How easy is it to treat another person with even a modicum of respect?
With competition like this out there, you'd think I'd get myself a date no problem.
Tough post here... I say the world is full of those that don't quite know what to do or who to tell if something ugly happens to them. Then they're those that don't need that encouragement to push back and inform management. I really don't see the harm in making a statement that can help a few make a choice to speak up. It's nothing personal. Just a friend helping a friend.
Dig it, man.
Can you believe in this day and age, I'm about to make the following statement?! Wtf?
I am a bartender and tolerate (outwardly) a great deal of sexual harassment daily. I mean, it is F** CRAZY how I am spoken to or about when they think I can't hear. There are some days, I tell ya, I am on the verge of losing my shit and riping balls off. But, I don't. I give it back or ignore it and then I go home and lock my door and sit and hate myself for not murdering those men right there and then. However, it is "my job" and even in this big city, once you are figured as a bartender who calls "sexual harrasment", you don't work again.
Sucks.
I haven't run into any of that here which is so very refreshing. Other sites it's a nightmare! My rule is if you start sending me winky pictures and being gross I'm going to tell you off report and block. I don't know any women that wants to see a winky picture from a stranger.
Omg i hate being told to smile!!!
I haven't run into any of that here which is so very refreshing. Other sites it's a nightmare! My rule is if you start sending me winky pictures and being gross I'm going to tell you off report and block. I don't know any women that wants to see a winky picture from a stranger.
I haven't run into any of that here which is so very refreshing. Other sites it's a nightmare! My rule is if you start sending me winky pictures and being gross I'm going to tell you off report and block. I don't know any women that wants to see a winky picture from a stranger.
Thank you. I personally have been run off multiple dating sites by extremely inappropriate behavior.
that's what happens when the masses get hold of a good idea. Ruin, I like flirting but PENIS shots. jumpin jehovasat ! Where were these people brought up? like fat chance at success ! poor girls . education is key
I read the post, and some of the replies. It is embarrassing, annoying and downright offensive that so many guys think it is ok, or even a compliment to make suggestive comments to women, (or other men). I have worked with lots of guys like this, sleazebags, and they are what makes women so defensive. Imagine every time you see a message in your inbox, you are aware that their is a good chance it is sleazy. The other things which is almost amusing, well maybe more ironic, is that the offenders have an over inflated concept of their appeal to women and also think this conduct is a plus for them. The example given looks like "grooming" to me.
it makes me ashamed to be male really it does. I would never do the penis thing or the other lewd things men feel happy to suggest. there is Pornhub where you can join and happily have your old chap on show and say mostly what you like. what really annoys me is people think I'm strange because I'm covered in tattoos.
definitely mate
yes well at least one without you in it rolly
Fascinating post, fascinating discussion. Keep it going!
Telling people what to do/not to do? Making rules? Giving advice, recommendations? Sharing thoughts, feelings, attitudes? Setting tones?
Disagreeing? Rolling eyes? Arguing? Failing to set policy?
Yes. All of the above. More.
Keep the discussion illuminated, no matter what is said. Maybe there's blowback. Maybe it gets worse before it gets better.
It won't get better unless we keep it going.
Bang on, mate!
This is ridiculous. The guy was pleasant enough, he went too far, but some people are socially inept. This is directed at men vs women, only, which is highly offensive because I get a LOT worse from gay men, regularly and women practically rape me in clubs with their Hen Parties and such. This screams White Knight and woman are not as weak, feeble and vulnerable as you make out, especially on the internet. I suggest you amend it to bring it to the 21st century.
@IndySent The topic I agree with, entirely. Unsolicited dick pics should be treated the same as flashing, IMO! I was talking about that message in particular, it is mostly fairly polite just he lost his way, who knows, maybe he's autistic. Woman have taken a similar stance so don't make this out to be something sexist, it isn't.
@Kreig I think it's an over the top reaction compared with something extremely crude or a pic. At the end of the day this is billed as a dating site, and I guess a few guys like to get to the point and move on if there was nothing happening, there are PLENTY of women that jump into bed with anything so maybe he was just trying his luck, block move on would have been enough, IMO. But that's what forums are for, differing opinions. I wonder what her reaction would have been if she found the guy extremely attractive? Brad Pitt, if you will...
@Kreig Mate, I am the polar opposite of that, literally never sent a nude pic in my life, including to girlfriends, just not my thing and nor is the creepy shit, I like to have proper conversations and I don't just jump into bed with anyone, there has to be a connection otherwise it would be a waste of energy as it would do nothing for me. I have raged about this exact issue in the past to girls that have been on the end of it, but I thought the really shitty stuff goes without saying and if they are like that they are hardly likely to take heed of a 'warning' about it. I really thought it was an overreaction to that particular post to have him publicly mocked (anonymous as it may be, still might not make him feel good if he slipped up). From the way it reads to me, the guy doesn't sound wired up quite right. Either way, point taken, and as mentioned, you really don't have to worry yourself about me sending these sorts of messages, I'm not desperate, you maybe surprised to learn! Cheers for the input!
Thank you for defending us all, both male and female and for reinforcing the actions we should take.
I think that because this is advertised so much as a dating site, we will continue to see this behavior that is so common on most other dating sites. As more and more people join us it's possible the incidents may even increase in frequency. But being aware, cautious, and confident enough to take action (notifying @Admin) will hopefully help keep the creeps at bay.
Thanks @Kreig for your concern for us womenfolk. I had a scammer yesterday-reported him to Admn and he's gone today. He was posing as a surgeon from California-looked like a model's photo-and was stationed in Syria. I can spot them from experience. Ladies if you need support or suspect someone please feel free to message me.
When I got this FIRST message from a user,
"......want to have some wild sex fun? lol," [Excerpted quote to avoid possible retaliation by author.]
I simply blocked him.
I will take your advice and report him.
PEOPLE, if you do this here, anywhere or in real life, trust that it COULD NOT BE MORE OF A TURN OFF. You are wasting your time, and making yourself look like an juvenile moron. (In my opinion and experience.)
Thanks for the very thoughtful post, Kreig!