Is whistling rude behavior? for Questionland Seattle

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Is whistling rude behavior?

I find it extremely annoying and distracting when somebody is whistling. On a number of occasions when I have politely asked a whistler (someone I know) to please stop whistling, they have acted very put out by the request. Do some people not mind whistling? Is it rude to whistle? Do I need to learn to accept the whistling?

pattypaxton asked in Whatever 9 months ago | Report

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If it was in a work environment, I would be annoyed as all-hell if someone next to me insisted on whistling all the time. I would keep telling them to stop - it's the same as someone playing their own music at work thereby forcing their neighbors to listen to their shitty musical choices.

Basil answered in Whatever 9 months ago | Report

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Generally it doesn't bother me when people whistle. I secretly refer to my boss as "Happy Whistling Guy" because he whistles along very enthusiastically to every cheesy pop song on satellite radio. That we have to listen to cheesy pop radio is far more annoying than his whistling-- to me-- but, I know it bugs the heck out of at least one other coworker. And, he's oblivious to her being annoyed. Which just triples the office fun! He thinks his whistling is *awesome,* like he's preserving a dying art form (if I had to guess). I say, speak up about it. Tell your happy whistling peep to whistle elsewhere, out of earshot-like.

mizmojo answered in Whatever 9 months ago | Report

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Yes, but it depends on the situtaiton...
If you're talking about a wolf whistle (like construction workers harassing women walking by) it's rude.

If it's someone walking down the street, they might as well be humming to themselves.

If you're on an elevator, that's a bit different.

But just be glad the whistler can carry a tune.
Imagine your pain if they insist on singing or humming and can't carry a tune???!!!

O my captain answered in Whatever 9 months ago | Report

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Whistling is rude in any situation where there are other people around who are being forced to listen to it- think buses, work, school, in line at the supermarket, waiting in a doctor's waiting room, etc. Creating noise (this goes for pen-clicking, drumming on tabletops, listening to music without headphones, and other annoying tics) that other people can't escape is inconsiderate. Anybody who is whistling in those situations is being rather boorish- especially if they've been politely asked to stop. If the whistler is in empty space, however (like walking down a trail in the park, for example), I don't think it's particularly rude.

Sphinx answered in Whatever 9 months ago | Report

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I don't mind whistling. Listening nor performing. it's not rude unless you continue after someone asks you politely to stop. Polite is the key part of that though. Whistlers, good ones, shouldn't be put out by your request. Perhaps your annoyance and opinion that whistling is rude is coming through in your 'polite' request.

Note that I feel that people who can't do it should not share it, as the same goes for any musical instrument -- violin, piano, voice, whistling, mouth harp, banjo, tuba, etc.. It may help you to think of it as a musical performance?

RacerX answered in Whatever 9 months ago | Report

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It is acceptable if you are walking jauntily at a brisk pace, hands in pockets, sans iPod.

That's something I encourage, in fact.

Brammimonde answered in Whatever 9 months ago | Report

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It never hurts to ask nicely for people to stop, especially in the context of asking someone you know (and not a complete stranger). Next time, if you point out (in a non-hostile way) that whistling sets your teeth on edge, the whistler might not seem put out by it.

keshmeshi answered in Whatever 9 months ago | Report

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In public, at a bus stop, it can be fun/cute. In my office, next to my desk, for five hours at a time, I will kill you.

Black Beetles in Amber answered in Whatever 9 months ago | Report

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Personally, I find the most annoying thing about whistling is that most folks are shit at it; it's kind of a lost art. Check the documentary "Pucker Up" for some examples of truly talented whistlers.

mister_fusspot answered in Whatever 9 months ago | Report

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