'ask For Angela' Campaign

[naomi24]

//A simple code-word campaign for women feeling unsafe on a date has got global attention since a picture of this poster dotted around bars in Lincolnshire, England emerged on Twitter. It encourages women to discreetly ask for help by going to the bar and 'Ask for Angela' - a phrase aimed at alerting bar staff to the cry for help so they can help defuse the situation.//

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37855009

I’m not entirely sure how bar staff would be expected to help diffuse the situation - that could be quite dodgy for them - but in general is it a good idea?

[Tilly2]

The poster says that the bar staff will call a taxi for you so that you can leave without a fuss. I don't think they are expected to do more than that. It seems like a good idea to me.

[Tilly2]

......missed a bit...... 'and help you out discreetly'.....call a taxi and let you out through the back door?

[naomi24]

Tilly, yes, you're probably right. When I read the word 'diffuse' I had visions of bar staff being expected to step in on a personal level.

[Old_Geezer]

So are no one named Angela going to be offered a job as barmaid any more ?

"Is Angela there ?"
"Yes I'm Angela, what can I do for you ?"
"Ummm Errr call me a taxi ?"
" Of course; you're a taxi !"

[ll_billym]

As long as each establishment has their own 'code' then it would work, I should say that 'Angela' is burned now it's been on national news.

[Mamyalynne]

I think the idea has merit and make young women feel more able to ask for a little help if things are going awry.

[Old_Geezer]

Being serious for a moment, I think it has little merit.

If you can ask for Angela, you could just as easily ask for help getting a taxi as you are nervous of your blind date. If you are in earshot of your date and trying not to be obvious; well, if you have heard of Angela, then the chances are so has your date. Unsure what has been gained.

[ummmm]

I agree, OG.

[marval]

I think the idea is good.

[ummmm]

It has merit if it hadn't have gone public.

[naomi24]

divebuddy, // Why not produce a small card saying something along the lines of..... I'm being hassled, please call me a taxi and escort me to it when it arrives. //

That sounds like a better idea.

[birdie1971]

Divebuddy - “... Why not produce a small card saying something along the lines of..... I'm being hassled, please call me a taxi and escort me to it when it arrives. All pubs/clubs in the area could have a copy of the card so they know what's going on. But even staff who don't know could be expected to give the appropriate assistance. The police could issue the cards - to pubs/clubs, who would hand them out to women...”


That is a truly brilliant idea.