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?

[Peter Pedant]

yeah but no but
one was Tientsin and a child ( and 6d)
and the other was at a fair where the seller / husband ( later Mayor of Casterebridge, soooooo like boris J) was drunk on frumenty and the auction goes up - (no takers at two guineas, well three then)

( other shocking moments are - Eliza jane dies and the muvva , saus to henchard, "well, dont cry, it wasnt yours anyway." having previously said she was - cruel jade ! )
these Darzetters, 1850 - perhaps one survived to ask if viavia's child were for sale

[DarceyK123]

I think you are massively over reacting.

When my brother was small someone offered to buy him for a book of Green Shield Stamps. This upset me as i was just a child myself and thought she meant it but it soon became obvious it was just a joke.

[david small]

Good grief, is this what our society is turning into? Mistrust, fear, easily offended and spooked. Get a grip on reality, you can’t live in fear of everything and everyone.

[Cloverjo]

The old man meant no harm. Let it go.
As mentioned earlier some people say things like that as a compliment or lighthearted chat.

While I haven’t said those exact words, I’ve said “I think I’ll just take you home with me. Mummy won’t notice,” if a friend has given me a small child to hold. Just a joke, that’s all.

[Ringlet]

When my daughter was a toddler she had blonde very curly hair and occasionally people used to say to her "Will you sell me one of your curls?"
It was an attempt to be charming to the child, to compliment her, to have a little harmless fun.
I think I would take the old man's question in the same way.