Peggy’s Place

Warum besuchen Sie nicht Peggy, die Wirtin von Spotlights ganz eigenem (fiktiven) Londoner Pub? Diesmal geht es um Berührungsängste.

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Jane: George, can you take your hand off my knee?

George: I was only leaning over to get my change. These stools are very slippery. Jane: I think the only slippery thing around here, George, is you.

Peggy: Did you come to see us for a particular reason, Jane?

Jane: Don’t change the subject.

George: That’s fine. I’m very sorry, Jane. I hope I didn’t behave inappropriately. Jane: Apology accepted. Now, Mum, we need to talk about Simone.

Peggy: Please tell me your daughter isn’t in trouble at school.

Jane: No, she wants to go on the school trip to Wales and I don’t have the readies. Peggy: Can you come back later, love? You can see how busy we are. I’m sure we can stump up the money.

Jane: Or you could just give me four hundred quid now.

Peggy: Four hundred? How is she getting to Wales? By chauffeur-driven limo? Jane: I thought you’d make a fuss. I’m sorry I asked.

Peggy: Come back, Jane. Oh, dear.

George: Don’t worry. Jane knows you’ll help out. It’s tough being a single mum.

Sean: Since when have you been such a fan of Jane? First, the apology over the knee incident…

George: Stop right there.

Peggy: I agree with Sean. We all know you’re not a serial groper.

George: I certainly hope I’m not, but we’ve had some training at work about respect and personal space, and I must say, a lot of it makes sense.

Sean: Come on, Jane’s not exactly backward in coming forward.

George: True, but I think men are often careless around women. I would never put my hand on your knee, Sean.

Peggy: Tell me about this training. Is it because of the Me Too movement?

George: It is. We got a letter from the Equality and Human Rights Commission. I think a lot of companies in the UK did. Our head of personnel thought it was an opportunity to explain what constitutes unacceptable behaviour.

Sean: So, what should we avoid?

George: Let me see. Well, there are the obvious ones, like sexist jokes, inappropriate touching and unwanted contact via social media, but leering, silly pranks and mimicking someone count, too.

Peggy: Do you really think men are going to stop behaving badly?

George: I definitely think we have to try. Sean: Where does that leave harmless flirting? Sure, everyone’s asking this question, but don’t these rules kill relaxed interaction between men and women. George: Maybe it’s more a question of recalibrating our behaviour.

Sean: I can do that. I can recalibrate. Right, back to the kitchen.

George: I’m leaving, too.

Peggy: George.

George: Yes, Peggy.

Peggy: Come here.

George: What is it?

Peggy: Just come here!

George: Why are you holding my arm? Peggy: Sorry if it seems like inappropriate touching, (whispering) but you’re flying low. George: Oops. That’s not inappropriate. That’s just kind.

“We had training at work about respect and personal space”