Helen Mirren: 'Men should get their arms off women's shoulders' The British actress gets annoyed when she sees a man slinging an arm around his girlfriend as she feels the gesture looks like "ownership"

bertreapot · 2015-09-13T11:01:20+00:00

or, maybe the couple likes each other. not every action has to be invidious sexism

Neo_Techni · 2015-09-13T13:21:50+00:00

Nah, guys, shes right. When I see jealous men eyeing my 1997 Ford Ranger I naturally put my arm around the hood to show them that this car is my property.

And, likewise, when I walk down the street with a lady with my arm around her shoulder I am not simply trying to express non-sexual closeness and intimacy with my romantic partner. I am expressing my ownership of this female shaped object to all other males in sight.

SCROTAL-SACK · 2015-09-13T13:04:48+00:00

Guys tend to be taller. Girls shorter. So its just a natural embrace of his arm around her shoulder, and her's around his waist/back. Does she even logic?

AcidJiles · 2015-09-13T16:26:06+00:00

wow another wealthy, famous actress whining about how oppressed she is.

I spoke to the women in Saudi Arabia, who CANNOT LEAVE THE HOUSE without a male relative, and they send their deepest sympathies.

Oh, is that a "fallacy of relative privation?" Like when feminists say that "women have it worse" to dismiss men's issues?

But then again feminists have different rules that apply to them vs. everyone else.

PeteTheFirst · 2015-09-13T14:16:10+00:00

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is exactly the kind of thing that's causing so many young women to give feminism the two fingers.

twopizzas · 2015-09-13T10:47:09+00:00

post menopausal old woman is bitter and delusional

v573v · 2015-09-13T12:30:59+00:00

It doesn't look like ownership - it looks like those two people are a couple which is important in a society that values monogamy nevermind the fact that couples enjoy touching and being touched by their mate.

Swiggy · 2015-09-13T15:04:29+00:00

When someone becomes so bitter and jaded that when she sees a gesture of affection and love she interprets it as an attempt to display ownership it may be time to ask yourself if you want to end up like her.

kizzan · 2015-09-13T14:21:51+00:00

This kind of comment would blow up in her face if we lived in a patriarchy of male power. However, since we live in a female privileged society, it will not.

Wargame4life · 2015-09-13T14:31:53+00:00

my favourite bit of the article

Mirren went on to suggest that women are “still toddlers.....

Neo_Techni · 2015-09-13T15:01:36+00:00

It's affection you rat bastard. Grow a heart!

Kellermann · 2015-09-13T14:58:04+00:00

She should take her head out of her arse first

cozgw · 2015-09-13T15:05:06+00:00

I'm awkward about showing public affection but my girlfriend always asks me to put my arm around her...

2015-09-13T18:40:33+00:00

Oh fuck off, Helen.

MrDoradus · 2015-09-13T11:18:14+00:00

"Women are toddlers in this modern world", what? I feel like these women (her included) just don't feel like they fit within the normal social standards, get annoyed by it because they lack confidence to do their own thing, live their life like they want to, and because of that they want all other people to conform to their views, so they wouldn't feel so alone. As a result we get their tendency towards enforcing feministic reform of the world.

I'm a man and I don't like how "the society" would want me to live, but frankly crying sexism and oppression because of that seems so childish. I understand they (and us men) would want to rightfully fight against some issues that truly discriminate against us, but to have such a strong view on something so trivial as a loving gesture, implies some deep personal issues.

Edit: but I have to put a disclaimer here, that I personally don't think Helen meant this as seriously as I took it. But her views can and probably will be misinterpreted by many feminists. So I think such public statements shouldn't be made lightly.

Consilio_et_Animis · 2015-09-13T14:59:42+00:00

Bet she won't criticises this though

sirgregorypeckerhead · 2015-09-13T15:52:17+00:00

Normally if do this my SO does the same to me... it's like a side hug that goes on forever.

2015-09-13T17:46:27+00:00

So Miss Mirren, I take it you spoke with the man's girlfriend and confirmed your suspicions.

What's that? You haven't?

Then kindly quit sticking your nose in other people's business and keep your Social Justice Warrior mouth SHUT!

StarsDie · 2015-09-13T19:27:28+00:00

Not everyone is a miserable cunt. Some people like physical affection.

If I stopped putting my hands on my girlfriend it would upset her.

Some people....

Lipophobicity · 2015-09-13T20:34:54+00:00

...and then that awkward moment when she realizes our arms go around the shoulders because we are taller. It is actually Sophie's choice if she wants an arm around her, she is not being held hostage

Do gay couples not put their arms around their partners? I'd bet they do.

When your arguments for feminism get this petty, it's time to come back to reality and buy another cat

2015-09-13T18:17:31+00:00

I rather like it when my favorite woman puts her arm around me. I have no qualms about returning the favor.

lifeiscooliguess · 2015-09-13T21:40:30+00:00

My gf puts her arm around me more than I do to her. I guess I'm oppressed now /s

NotSiZhe · 2015-09-13T14:26:55+00:00

Does it count as a 'micro-aggression'?

MuchoGrande · 2015-09-13T16:40:02+00:00

I can't imagine my wife NOT liking me putting my arms around her shoulders. I'd do it more often if she weren't so dang tall.

HoundDogs · 2015-09-13T15:31:12+00:00

Man....I really liked Helen Mirren's work.

Ayesuku · 2015-09-13T15:48:41+00:00

I like Helen Mirren, but... wat

thefinn12345 · 2015-09-13T20:54:47+00:00

I actually thought Helen Mirren was better than this - not sure why I thought that - something I'd read before I think - but anyhow... kinda disappointing.

Negative respect on this one Helen.

scanspeak · 2015-09-13T21:21:22+00:00

We've reached a point now where looking at a woman, complimenting a woman, touching a woman (even your wife) is considered oppression. These people have clearly never experienced any actual hardship or struggle in life..

ramot1 · 2015-09-13T21:25:20+00:00

have a “princess complex" Gee, I wonder where they got that from!

thegreyhoundness · 2015-09-13T22:19:01+00:00

Yeah, she can fuck right off. My woman (I know Ms. Helen would hate that wording) and I will do whatever WE want.

Rethgil · 2015-09-13T22:45:21+00:00

Shes been getting her t*ts out on film since she was a teenager. Literally. She's also always getting free publicity from inciting feminists with idiotic statements like this. A really horrible woman.

ParaBDL · 2015-09-13T23:20:43+00:00

I never knew my taller girlfriend was marking me as her property. I feel so violated.....

ThePigmanAgain · 2015-09-13T11:43:07+00:00

Another stupid bitch opening her mouth when she shouldn't. As i recall, she thinks date rape is okay, but apparently putting your arm around your girlfriend isn't. Senile old woman is senile.

2015-09-13T17:46:14+00:00

You see, I don't hold hands with my gf because I love her, it's so I can make sure she can't run away.

2015-09-13T18:21:53+00:00

As a hot old lady, this sounds bitter as fuck. Hey Helen Mirren, you want somebody to put/not put their arm around you?

continuousQ · 2015-09-13T23:48:20+00:00

I hope she's at least blatantly opposed to marriage.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2733365/Stick-marriage-says-Helen-Mirren-Actress-says-couples-quick-it.html

Oh.

matrix2002 · 2015-09-14T01:04:25+00:00

These old, bitter actresses are hilarious. They always bitch about how hollywood passes up on older, better actresses.

But, they were all super eager to take advantage of it when they were younger.

They are just pissed the world doesn't fall into their hands because they are young, hot successful actresses.

2015-09-14T03:16:17+00:00

She a bitter old hag, and jealous that no men want to pay attention to her anymore.

2015-09-14T04:13:12+00:00

What you feel is irrelevant, Helen. Get over yourself.

No one should wait until they are in their 50s to get married just because you think they should. Live your own damn life, mind your own business.

Celebrities who tell people how they should live are annoying.

dangerousopinions · 2015-09-14T04:16:58+00:00

To me some clouds look like elephants, but it doesn't mean they in fact are elephants. I really don't see how her completely subjective opinion matters here at all.

jdub_06 · 2015-09-14T05:57:22+00:00

anyone else notice you cant comment on this trash calling itself news?

YourImag1nat1on · 2015-09-14T10:01:20+00:00

Funny thing is not even feminist like her

https://www.reddit.com/r/feminisms/comments/ymqzm/if_a_woman_voluntarily_ends_up_in_a_mans_bedroom/

scanspeak · 2015-09-14T10:51:20+00:00

I thought she had died already.

AaronStack91 · 2015-09-14T12:09:22+00:00

Men and women can make their own choices. But that said, I cringe when see guy do the over arm shoulder thing. It feels really archaic and also uncomfortable. I've seen guys put their whole upper body weight on the girl and she looks like she is helping her buddy to a medivac chopper instead of walking to the movie theater.

2015-09-14T12:51:31+00:00

Yeah, and I'm sure our wives /girlfriends will totally understand when we aren't hugging them anymore. "But Hellen Miran said..." as they blame us for not being a man that can think for himself. When feminists make suggestions, we are best to do the opposite.

CellularPeptideCake · 2015-09-14T13:51:29+00:00

The world of the famous - our lovely armchair politicians and philosophers, with empty skulls and endless attention paid to them

FluffyBallofHate · 2015-09-13T14:18:34+00:00

Well, it is meant to signal to others that said woman is 'taken', like a woman reaching out and grabbing a man's arm or hand in the presence of another woman, so it is a sign of 'ownership'.

But this is a universal piece of human body language. You can't tell a monkey not to smile when smiling comes so damned naturally.

sosorrynoname · 2015-09-13T16:00:32+00:00

Lighten up Frances.

Ben--Affleck · 2015-09-14T02:18:38+00:00

I understand where she's coming from... but it's quite easy to tell apart guys who are attempting to claim a woman vs guys who are attempting to be affectionate.

Sasha_ · 2015-09-14T11:14:38+00:00

Fair enough. Be good if they got their hands out of our pockets.

BruceCampbell123 · 2015-09-13T20:20:01+00:00

My girl friend is the one who wants me to put my arm over her shoulder while walking around. You don't know what you're talking about Helen.

rumpledstiltskins · 2015-09-13T14:29:59+00:00

She's right. They look so much better with a cock in their mouth.

2015-09-13T16:55:44+00:00

I agree and disagree. I don't like have stranger put arms around me since putting arms around people indicates that you're friends with them. However claiming that putting arms around people indicated that you're owning them is laughable. Let me laugh, ha-ha!

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