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Comment by discardorama | Hacker News Reader

I'm curious about the "hula hoop" issue that Julie is referring to. As a male nerd, I will admit that my social skills are a bit lacking. However: I don't see the problem with staring at women who are putting on a show which is clearly unrelated to their work.

If 2 women started making out in the break room, I'm ashamed to say that I might just linger longer than usual.

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It helps to focus on empathy in these situations. You may view their activities or two lesbians as making a 'show', but perhaps to them it is a personal matter which they would prefer to enjoy to themselves. Sometimes hula hooping is just embarrassing and it's usually awkward to have a bunch of members of the opposite sex staring at you while you do anything.

I don't blame you at all for having those natural reactions. I do too.

> You may view their activities or two lesbians as making a 'show'

Well, he did set up this weird hypothetical as taking place in the break room

If you don't want people to watch you snogging, you shouldn't be snogging in public.

You do have to realize the difference between hula hooping and making out. Hula hooping isn't even a slightly sexual act. Furthermore, objectification is a huge issue in the lesbian community, so in both the hula hooping and making out scenario, gawking is not okay and contributes to an already sexist power structure.

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