Clever but polite ways to deflect unwanted male attention....are there any?

[Kiss-me-Kate]

Since, I can't always acompany her, my daughter wears the dungeon bait pin, and also a whistle around her neck she jokingly calls her rape whistle.   She is fun sized- 5'3" and 115 pounds dripping wet. 
But she is also a dancer and WILL kick the living crap out of you if you try to touch her.  In the meantime, any one of her fifty fest "uncles" will come to her aid. and finish the job.

Confidence is half the key.   Make sure your girls are confident and self assured enough to know they can defend themselves.   If some jerk is too touchy- feely, she can make it known by drawing attention to the situation.   Humiliate the jerk at the very least, get him kicked out at the worst.  Any decent guy, or mother hen will assist. 

[Dinobabe]

The whistle is a great idea!  Loud, gets attention, annoying.  Perfect!  I might start wearing one...

[iain robb]

I can't speak for everywhere, but I know that here in Florida, the very instant it goes from unwanted attention to unwanted touching, it is assault. I would expect that the laws are very similar across the USA. Pushing oneself on a woman is deplorable; touching a woman without her permission is intolerable. I would hope that there would be enough gentlemen around -- all it takes is one -- to make it unnecessary for the woman to defend herself. Sadly, I realize that is often not the case.

[Merlin the Elder]

You're so right, Iain. However, you'd be surprised at how many people look at the display of cleavage as a sign they are entitled to touch, perhaps even a right to touch.  If a man touches a woman inappropriately, I really see no need to be polite. A hard slap across the face is in order.

[Dinobabe]

Ironically, women are often brought up to be polite and non-physical regardless of the situation.  Never yell, don't hit, etc...  It is a shame that we don't teach self defense for girls in high school.  I was sexually harassed in college and didn't know how to deal with it.  To this day I wish I had canned him a good one.  Now I would.  I am currently taking kickboxing and plan on taking a few Krav Maga classes.  Some men think they have the right to be pimps just because they are men (no one on here, of course!).

[Merlin the Elder]

I'm normally a very peaceful wizard, but I'd love to see an obnoxious boor get his comeuppance by a well-trained lady!

[iain robb]

Hear, hear!

[Elennare]

Not exactly clever, but I've found that taking a step back and saying "no" or "back off" or something similar, depending on the exact situation, in a firm, confident (but very serious) manner usually gets them to stop.  If that doesn't work, I leave.  If he touched me, he would get hit.  Thankfully, I've never had to do the last one.

Important tip, for hitting people, especially if you're not trained in a martial art: don't punch someone in the face!  That's a good way to break your hand.  If you want to hit the face, and a slap won't be sufficient, use the heel of your hand. Elbows and knees are also very good for getting people to back off.  They're hard, and much less fragile than hands.

[April Marie]

I am afraid that Merlin is correct.  Last year was my first year and I had a fabulous time but there was one instance out at the camp grounds where I had someone seriously grope me.  I mean like hand all the way in my corset.  Lucky for him I was drinking and didn't knock him one fast enough before he ran.  Unlucky for him he is one of my students so I reported it when I came back home, just in case. 

I love to dress up and as you can see by my pic "stuff" is on display.  I just ask that you look but don't touch, unless invited to.  I don't see why some would have a problem with that. 

I do have to say though that several guys around the campfire last year came to my "rescue" and offered to beat on him a little.   

[ravic]

Please remember that the original question related to undue attention to Working Minors. What steps an adult can take may not be appropriate for them.

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

A blast of pepper spray from someone 15 burns just as bad if it came from someone 30...   


*A bit radical but sometimes it takes that to get through to people*

[Captain Teague]

Since the original poster is vending soap and etc. which of course involves a lot of touching and handling of merchandise, perhaps a sign like such:

Touch the merchanDISE, We love you.
Touch the MerchANTS, go to Jail.


Naturally we want to do all in our power to avoid conflicts such as these. However in the past as per my customer service experience, I find nearly all the time that either people do not read signs and if they do, they ignore them. Particularly if alcohol is involved. Like the many good suggestions already submitted I would suggest a combination of signs, a pin or button and become fast friends with surrounding merchants and cast. By all means use a safeword, even if it is "EHWWW MUTHAHHHH!" And instruct them on the advantages on NOT letting customers get within grab reach (at least a one foot buffer zone ) and how to deftly step away when it appears they are about to reach. Personally, I would NEVER have them reveal their age ("Not old enough for you, Milord " will USUALLY suffice ) or relationship status, nor anything personal for that matter. Talk to them about the many ways some will try to get that info as well..."So, how is school coming along....Does your boyfriend like you having this job.... What's the weather like around here between faires...etc etc etc..."

And let us not discount the testosterone laden teen crowd either...while not known to be nearly as up front and physical, they may perhaps become an annoyance as well for I am sure they will all fall instantly in love and begin the phase of moon and puppy eyes...
But for those, tis simple...put on the Mommy hat and carry a big club.  


I kind of like this pin myself. Straight to the point.
http://www.cafepress.com/+do_i_look_18_225_button,204320694

[Bobaganush]

I think as adults attending the fair we should have the fortitude to assist in backing some of these scoundrels off.  i would like to think that if I saw someone inappropriately addressing or touching a woman of any age that my sword might be drawn, regardless of how well peace-tied.   

[Adriana Rose]

Keep them within sight and well be a momma badger, if someone messes with your babies you get cranky. If the creep in question gets too persistant get a police officer ( We always have a handfull of Sheriff Deputies and State Patrol officers at CoRF) and have the person spoken to about his manners.

[LadyStitch]

Fuzzlet is only a month old but we plan to raise her to protect herself if need be however having faire 'uncles' around helps. I worked a small food service kiosk when I was in high school. I had alot of drunks come to my kiosk for late night munchies, and then stupid high school boys who thought they were god's gift to women.  My manager told me if anyone tried anything to yell out a code word. Any staff that was near by that heard it came over to help.  I only had to use it once, but when I did I had 2 momma bears, and an intimidating grizzly of a male manager show up. 

I like the idea of the signs in the shop, and the jail bait pin ideas.  Add in the safe word that will call for help sounds like good ideas to me. 
There will always be idiots out there  no matter what you do, but putting things in place to prevent them will stop the worst of it.