Is She For Sale? Sexual Verbal Harassment?

[Viavia1234]

A random old man approached my 2Y old girl and said “let me see her face x2” I thought he is just one of those people who adore kids. And then he said “she is cute. Is she for sale?” I felt awkward when I heard that.. What does that mean? Is this sexual verbal harassment or compliment for the kid is cute? I’m confused. What you guys think?

[wolf63]

It may have been a joke. Nevertheless, report the incident to the Police.

[Barsel]

Why didn't you ask him what he meant by that?

[Viavia1234]

He said it’s a joke x2. But I don’t know if it’s a joke. I called the police and did report. I’m still upset about what he said to my daughter. I actually want to lawsuit that old man because it is stressing me out and I got traumatized about old man. But I’m not sure this is one of the old jokes. Should I just take it as a joke ?complement?

[bookbinder]

It's only a joke and/or a compliment. It's just what old people say when they see a charming child. Don't make too much of it. He probably meant something like, "I would like to have a pretty child like yours." Old people sometimes have difficulty in choosing the right words, so let it go.

[bednobs]

what did the police say to you?

[andy-hughes]

bookbinder - // It's only a joke and/or a compliment. It's just what old people say when they see a charming child. //

Is it?

I've never said that to a mother, or heard it said about any child, ever.

[barry1010]

When my children were in the pram it wasn't unusual for complete strangers, always older people, to stick their finger in their mouth for them to suck, poke them in the belly to make them laugh (it usually made them cry) and say things like 'oooh, I could eat her up/I could munch him/I could take her home'.
They were being friendly. Usually they put a silver sixpence in their fist, occasionally a shilling - to bring them luck.

Many old people miss their babies, are sometimes lonely and enjoy a bit of human interaction. It is true some are perverts but I can't see any sexual harassment in this incident.
What good would a lawsuit do you? It's a very stressful thing.

[Barsel]

If someone said that to me about one of my daughters, I would ask what do they mean by that.
It probably was only said in jest, but I wouldn't be happy about it.

[Pooka1950]

I'm sorry but I can't help but think you are over reacting. Why set the police on an elderly man who was probably making an innocent joke.

[Viavia1234]

The police said he cannot do anything as this is not a crime. If he touched or grabbed her then it could’ve but he didn’t do that so. I asked him what’s the point to do the police report then?The officer said because I wanted to….

[barry1010]

Are you in the UK?

[bednobs]

well there you have your answer. you cant "lawsuit him"

[Gromit]

Is this UK or somewhere else ?
It is a strange thing to say, but might have been a bad joke.

[LadyCG]

Some people have a weird sense of humour - and strangely they think everyone else finds them hilarious.

I'm not sure on what grounds you intend to "lawsuit" the perceived offender.

[Peter Pedant]

Is this sexual verbal harassment

this is obviously not sexual,and not harassment
otherwise not much wrong with it

let it go

[Gromit]

‘law suit’ immediately made me think this is an American poster.

[jno]

it seems extremely obviously a joke to me. Selling children isn't a thing in this country (I'm talking about Britain, though I don't know where you were); and I think Just Say No is the protocol.

[Old_Geezer]

Or ask how many camels they are offering.

[Peter Pedant]

In the Small Woman by Gladys Aylward, one of the children ( orphans) is called "Sixpence", as she bought him for that
(China 1930).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladys_Aylward#:~

I thought the film was OK

[jno]

sixpence isn't much, the mayor of Casterbridge got 5 guineas for his wife; but I suppose she was old enough to be put to the plough, or whatever it is that sailors do with their new-bought wives.