what is the protocol?

Hamilton wrote: .


why not 31

thanks for keeping us abreast of your subway moment, I feel you should have shown some compassion by discreetly approaching the well-endowed woman and in a whisper advised her that her Recreational Skin was exposed.

I think pointing out her race wasn't necessary and i'm sure when MHA reads your post he will anoint you Brooklynian's new residential racist, a title I've worked hard to retain.

lnelson wrote: The appropriate thing to do in such an awkward situation is refer the matter to the FCC.

Damn, the subway does get federal funds, and could be subject to such regulations.

But on the other hand, there was that "pro-topless" court ruling back in the 90s. I haven't followed that matter, but does anyone know if Giuliani got the ruling reversed?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/women-abreast-of-rights-on-subway-1446171.html

Jack- I ride the 2/3 if that helps you out any. I didn't think event was too newsworthy, but it did seem relate to another thread.

I've long been told that my internal standards for answering "Is is blog worthy?" should be reviewed by outside professionals.

This ^^^ is Great news.

and, as always, Gothamist's readers can be count on for commentary!

But I must say, I was not asking my question from a legal perspective (i.e. "Is having one boob hanging out of your shirt legal?")

...and stepping into the role of fashion cop is something I never attempt. [In the 1980s, a girl at my high school was inspired by Madonna where her bra outside of her t-shirt. It caused quite a stir, and I (at age 15) stopped trying to figure out which blouse fashion's were "normal".]

However, clearly both factors should how (or whether) one should speak up.

I think we can now agree that any person in this situation should know that -in the event they choose to mention the existence of the "free range boob" to its owner- they should be very careful to not imply that it is illegal. Or unfashionable.

In light of the above, should I mention it to her at all?

Let's say I decide to phrase it as follows:
"Excuse me, do you know one of your breasts is out?"

Is it reasonable to expect one off the following responses?
"Yes" (leaves boob out)
"Yes" (puts boob away)

OR

"No" (puts boob away)
"No" (leaves boob out)

????

And, I think it goes without stating that present norms around political correctness attempt to dictate that my subjective evaluation of the attractiveness of said boob should play absolutely no role in EITHER my decision to let her know, OR in my reaction (sadness vs joy) upon learning her decision to capture it or not.

Hamilton notes that I pointed out the race of the boob's owner.

Given his comment, I must admit that I now want to know whether the protocol that we (as a collective group) should have a rider that covers this issue. Or this a non-issue?

In otherwords, should I (a 41 year white guy) approach the issue at hand (fellow rider with boob exposed) differently based on their race?

Regardless of their race, my judgement of the boob's attractiveness, I think it would be easiest for me in such a situation to simply wait for another rider to point out the matter.

In the event that we choose to waste valuable work time creating such a protocol over the next few days, I request that someone cover the issue of whether enacting the protocol (i.e. notifying the owner) is mandatory under foreseeable circumstances?


[note to self: Do not tell Mrs Whynot that xlizellx sent you link to topless photos]

Whatchuwant wrote: This:

[quote=Hamilton]I think pointing out her race wasn't necessary and i'm sure when MHA reads your post he will anoint you Brooklynian's new residential racist, a title I've worked hard to retain.

I acknowledge this risk, and may or may not change my future posts based on said knowledge.

Not to be coy, but I will point out that all of the annointing ceremonies I've attended in the past, all require both the annointee and annointer to be present ....so it's not clear whether such a ceremony would be valid if only I was physically present. There is also the question of his authority to give me this status. Fickleness by the presenter may be in my favor.

Although doubtlessly well intentioned, Hamilton and Whatchuwant merely provide me with advice on how I should act while on Brooklynian and what they believe the response of MHA is likely to be. I respectfully point out that not everything is about Brooklynian and/or MHA!

I request that we move on and address the core issue I have put before this distinquished group:

Should this situation occur in the future, how should I (or the obviously hopeful Jack Krohn) react to such a situtation in the real world.?

One vote for "You are a guy, do nothing" has been officially recorded on my legal pad.

I was standing, Boob Lady was sitting.

Viewing of the following parts of the breast were possible, and -um- achieved:
top
right side
nip

The following parts of the breast were not seen:
left side
under side

Does this information concerning visibility factor in to how I should have reacted?

Do you feel confident asserting this protcol ("say nothing") on behalf of all women as it pertains do all men?

If so (and no one objects) we will move to "must I advert my eyes, and is any obligation to avert my eyes in any way affected by my subjective perception of the attractiveness of said boob?

Hamilton-
If the fully clothed woman does nothing upon learning of the situation, am I absolved of further responsibility?

Homeowner-
My sense is that this woman was very comfortable with showing her breasts to a degree. We are merely discussing her comfort level with the amount that ended up being shown.

If I may add, even before the exposure incident, her choice of clothing may have resulted in some people feeling she was over exposed. However, based on her choice of clothing, I predict that she would not agree with this statement.

I feel said exposure did not pose a detriment to me, or others on the train.

Based on her respnse to being told of the escape, I feel that she did not perceive the incident as tramatic, or even as unforeseen.

....However, I believe personally I would choose to wear a different blouse to avoid such an occurance.

...but that's just me. Based on what I have described about her blouse, can I safely assume she did not work in an office with an active HR department? I ask this because the women I work with (as well as the other women on the train) seem to choose blouses with much more coverage.

Whatchuwant wrote: Seriously, what's with the color lines?!?!?!

It can't be just me who wants to know what the frig you being a "white man" in the presence of "black" boob has to do with the situation.....

I'm with you, I hope it has nothing to do with the situation.

...and so far you are right: Despite me haphazardly mentioning race in the OP, none of our voters have commented on it AT ALL.

I can't say I cared about her race either. As mentioned above, seeing a boob on my way home is unusual, but argueably not real exciting or note worthy.

I'm not one to complain, but I did notice that not one of the about 4 white women who got off at GAP told her "about it" before doing so ...only the black woman did. About 2 men got off as well. This is what caused my brain to relate it to that avatar thread; It caused my usually dormant neurons to create the same "when is one under an obligation?" query that I discuss there.

must. stay. on. topic. (can you believe it, I was digressing even though the topic is a boob?)

I first noticed the boob when we stopped at Bergen. Basically I was looking at people as they got on at Bergen and saw her and "it" sitting down. I then went into "full breast observation and sociology mode". (It is true, I feel no shame)

Should I give the white women the benefit of the doubt, and infer that perhaps they didn't notice it? One white woman was standing right by the Boob Lady. The boob lady was sitting. How could she have missed it, when I noticed from a quarter car length away?

I know I'm male, but does the ownership of a heterosexual penius really give me special powers of observation?!

I'd like to believe they didn't notice it.
but I have a hard time believing that they thought she "knew about it".

...but let's keep voting! ...and I blame Hamilton for this.

BTW, I believe I was under no obligation because of my distance from her.
I believe those close to her we under more obligation, and would like to think I would have told her in the event we were unable to contain our collective snickers. ....or if teenage horndog boys got on board at GAP. :shock:

I got to use the word "horndog" in a sentence while at work. It was a good day, even if I made an error re: Pitu.

My eyes are attracted to breasts of all varieties, it is true.

....I sincerely hope I would extend the same awkward "notice" to women regardless of their race.

Moving on.

Mama, you gonna vote or just try to convince people I am not a racist horndog?

(You are going down Hamilton! ....as a result of this thread, it is looking like that title will be mine whether I deserve it or not!)

Update: Despite what looked like a gain by Whynot, Hamilton's role remains secure. ....damn you Hamilton!

However, the much-sought-after title of Brooklynian Horndog may become mine!