Creepy Attentions In The Olden Days.

[Atheist]

Has anybody got memories of "odd bods" doing odd things when they were young? I have a few. We took them in our stride; we knew when things were a bit odd, and we avoided people like that. It seemed part of life that some people were "odd". Colonel Blood went around kissing every street tree that he met. Some priests seemed to be interested in our opinions on our young friends (girls). Nobody made a fuss; but then I was never a victim of anything physically dangerous. I think that we realised that some adults were not comfortable to be with, and so we avoided them where possible. It must have been awful if there had been a more forceful approach from people, but I fortunately missed that.

[bobbinwales]

I'd hate to have real concerns about someone but just 'get over it' and not report my concerns , and then find they done something serious

[Atheist]

bobbinwales, I uinderstand your point; but I was thinking of the olden days and things that happened to us, not to others. None of us knew that it was important; we just didn't like it and so we stayed well clear of it. It was not something talked about all over the internet and whipped up into a big deal. If Old Jake was a bit creepy, then everyone knew it and avoided him.

[Maydup]

Plenty of memories of odd bods. As a young female in the 70's I came across them all the time! There was usually someone on the evening bus who made me feel really uncomfortable and the bus conductors weren't much better! We called people creeps, flirts, pervs, every other person seemed to be someone to be wary of. Times have changed for the better as far as inappropriate behaviour is concerned, and thankfully people find it a little easier to make a fuss now.

I also remember the poor souls who we now know to have dementia, who wandered about in their slippers and fur coat looking for Thursday. We didn't understand back then and kept a wide berth.

[Zacs-Master]

Are you saying it was better to live with and tolerate the creeps and pervs, rather than get the police involved, Atheist?
Sorry, not sure what your ‘getting at’ with this thread.

[Cloverjo]

There was a man in my town who was “allergic to trousers”. He’d cycle around in his pants, and a shirt, tie and blazer. Quite mad.

I had an uncle who would squeeeeeeze our knees. It was both painful and weird.

[Barmaid]

I'm not sure what is being got at. I was subject to some very creepy moves and at least one sexual assault by the brother of a friend. Although I spoke to my friend and her mother about it, it was made clear that I was wrong. I was only about 12. I hope girls now feel more confident to report such stuff. This was 40 years ago - I hope we have advanced since then.

Brushing it under the carpet and "avoiding" just allows perverts and creeps to continue with their abhorrent behaviour.

[gness]

Many years after it happened I found out that the man who abused me badly had been behaving strangely and suggestively to some women including my mother.
I wish one of them had whipped it up into a big deal before he got to me. Then again in those days women weren’t believed or listened to I suppose.

[naomi24]

I think there must be few women who haven't been on the receiving end of creepy attentions.

[Paigntonian]

Spungle: Think you mean dog-ends.

[Atheist]

I was just musing over the fact that there seems to be much more abuse nowadays, I suppose because it is more talked about and also because 'pervs' or 'creeps' can access others who make them feel part of a community. It's all very sad.

[davebro]

The guy in the hardware shop used to give lads from the secondary modern a packet of fags for providing him "hand relief" in the back room. Different times I guess.

[fiveleaves]

There is a whole world of difference between odd and eccentric people and I have met a fair few, and people who present a clear threat to children and vulnerable people.
Yes perhaps you can avoid the latter group, but not if you are shut up in a boarding school with them or having to live with them.

[Atheist]

I believe that I have read that most sexual abuse arises within families.

[naomi24]

I think your talking about something entirely different now, atheist: most here don’t appear to be talking along those lines.

[Atheist]

Naomi; Yes, I did refer to odd bods, not family members. Thanks for pointing that out. (BTW, it should have been "you're", not "your").

[naomi24]

Thank you, atheist. Doubtless I’ll benefit my career by getting the hang of written English one of these days. Either that or I’ll learn to check for the horrors predictive text.

[sandyRoe]

In the late 50s, early 60s, one of the PT teachers at our school would go about shirtless during sunny weather. He'd often tell some unfortunate lad to rub sunblock on his back and shoulders. This happened in the school playground. 60 years ago he could get away with brazen behaviour like that.
I'd hope someone similar couldn't get away with that now.

[naomi24]

Oops! *of* predictive text. Phew! That was close!

[barry1010]

Atheist, don't forget that many of the abuse trials that have been highlighted in the media in recent years were cases of historic abuse, old people who committed offences many years ago. Like this retired teacher who was sent to prison in his 90s Birmingham PE teacher Marcus Marcussen jailed for abuse http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-31456807

Pupils that reported were caned by the headmaster for lying

[fiveleaves]

The British eccentric is an institution and a favourite of films and TV series. I think our society is less tolerant of such people than it used to be. Anyone behaving oddly is now more likely to be regarded suspiciously and seen as potentially dangerous than they used to be.