BTW this question stems from a situation I witnessed yesterday. There was a woman dressed in an outfit that would make a porn star blush. Her bottom was hanging out, we could all see EVERYTHING. Her top was little more than a see-through bra. This fellow glanced briefly at her and she starts yelling "What are you looking at a$$hole?!?" It didn't seem quite right to me. What do you think?

I think if you dress that way you are asking for the attention. And you are going to be giving the impression you are easy. Sometimes nudity is less provocative than the things people wear.

If it's just glancing or looking I don't see how anyone can expect not to have this in a public situation, regardless of dress or gender or anything. Then again if she wants to be offended, that's her decision, but by no means is it appropriate to swear at someone for this.

I don't know about "fair", but men look at women all the time - and women look at men, and women at women, men at men... This woman that you describe sounds like an angry drama queen looking to let off some steam. LOL

A shy retiring type who did not want to attract any second glances would hardly dress that way, so I think she was definately attention seeking

I would think if she is dressed extremely provocatively, it would be done TO attract some attention. Sometimes, I think the media says women should be dressed in this manner to follow the trend and they don't always understand the impact it has.

Not really, because when you wear anything, provocative or not, unless you never leave home and see another person, you really don't have any control over who looks at you. That being said, she might mistake harmless appreciation from a distance as something uncomfortable, perhaps due to something painful she has experienced. People's perceptions are colored by their experiences. Also, what you take to be "EXTREMELY" provocative may not seem that way to her. And even if it is, not everyone attaches the same values to clothing or styles that others may. And that harmless glance that you think you may be making, offering your appreciation for her good looks and manner of dress may, to her, look like you are "sizing up the merchandise", so to speak. All in all, it's a tricky situation, because it's not just about the clothes. A lot plays into it on both sides, yours and hers. And with so much attention on being politically correct and non-specific gender-role sensitive, we seem to forget that sometimes, a smile from a stranger can be just a smile from a stranger.

A woman that dresses extremely provocative is asking to be looked at so why should she be offended.

No. Why would you wear that and not want to get looked at? Don't tell me it's comfortable.

Its obvious that any woman with a little common sense would realize that if she dresses provacative that people are going to look at her, some may even stare and tend to be rude about it. But overall, cmon she shouldnt get offended if anything she should be happy that people are appreciating her beauty and not acting unappropriately with her being dressed in such a manner. Although sometimes some women dress kind of funky, like tramp I guess would be the word in that case I would think she is looking for negative attention. But if shes dressed provacative, and not realizing just how she is dressed it may be a problem to her and she may take some offense to the looks coming from people.

I think it is a bit odd to be offended by someone staring at a skimpily dressed woman when it should be quite the opposite. Freedom of expression is a right but decency is a courtesy. I would bet that 90% of the other people who saw this example walk down the street were offended by her appearance. If a woman wants to wear clothing that reveal a lot more of her feminine features than the average woman and expects the man to go against his male instincts when passing him by then... she was waay in over her head in taking up this way of fashion.

Not really. I do think its OK for a woman (or a man for that matter), however she's dressed to get offended if people try and touch her, or make overly personal or sexual comments based on the way she's dressed. You owe someone respect and personal boundaries however they look- and a short skirt, whilst it might equate to "Look at my great legs." does not equate to "I'm up for anything so come and get me." I do think its unfair when a girl who MUST know she has rather - ahem- eye-catching breasts, wears a tight, see-through cleavage-skimming top and then goes around delighting in telling guys "HEllo, my face is up here." and acting like they're a complete loser. I'm sorry, but if they're shoved in your face like that you can't help but look. I know 100% gay men who have problems not staring in that situation (A bit like if someone's got a big spot, and you end up talking to the spot). And girls who flirt with guys then moan that "He won't leave me alone!" Well stop flirting with him then! I think some people use it as a self-validation exercise. By complaining about someone finding them attractive, they are able to draw other people's attention to their attractiveness, and feel more secure in that.

I must have met at least 4 women who wear extremely short skirts, and quite revealing tops and hate positive comments, compliments, and any gesture that could be implied sexual. But seriously, it's just a glance. If I looked only for a second at one of these women, I'm sure they would get very offended. It's really stupid to wear provocative clothes if you don't want anyone to look at them. That's just pointless. Anyone, gay or straight, should have "visual rights." If the woman doesn't feel comfortable wearing this clothing, then obviously she shouldn't wear it.

Its just an advertisement, If you dont want someone looking at you "product" dont advertise.....

Not at all, if you dress provacatively you are asking to be looked at,but that does not mean you are asking for any leery comments or physical contact. Also what one person considers provacative another just thinks of as fashion. I actually know a man that finds a woman wearing trainers sexually provocative. It leaves young people a very difficult dilemma.

If she doesn't want the attention from guys she should cover up. I remember seeing this thing on the news about a girl that got raped and they had a video of her leaving a gas station before she got abducted by the guy. She dressed so slutty. I'm not justifying rape, but come on. I know this might sound cold, she brought that on her self. When are these girls going to learn if you look like a slut you will be treated like a slut.

She is going to be looked at! Likewise, I saw this guy the other day with very 'emo' black shaggy hair, really tight skinny black jeans, ankle high white converse trainers and a mostly red mini kilt over his jeans. He also had a lot of black eye make up on and various facial piercings. Does he expect people not to stare at him????