What's the buzz

A Shanghai Metro micro blog post, urging women to dress in a "dignified" manner to avoid sexual harassment, has provoked heated debate. Some have criticized the post as justifying sexual harassment, while others agree that women should dress conservatively when using public transport. China Daily mobile news readers share their views with us.

Women have the freedom to choose how they dress. Men should stop using how women dress to justify sexual harassment. Society cannot eradicate sexual harassment simply by asking women to dress conservatively. Rather, we should step up legislative efforts and improve people's awareness of sexual harassment.

MUMU, Shanghai

I take the subway every day. The subway cars are crowded and so hot in summer that even air conditioning cannot keep the cars cool. It is understandable that women prefer skirts to trousers. What and how we wear is our own business, and just like the lyrics of a song by the Black Eyed Peas suggest: You can look, but you can't touch it.

LEVINE13, Beijing

The subway is so crowded that accidental contact can cause a moment of embarrassment and be mistaken as sexual harassment. I once had such a moment, but fortunately for me, I was not mistaken as a pervert. Dressing appropriately in the public will help women avoid unnecessary hassle and reduce the chance of being harassed.

A reader, Linyi, Shandong province

Women can decide what to wear, but they should not abuse such freedom and wear inappropriate attire in public. After all, different clothes are for different occasions, and dressing appropriately in public is a matter of courtesy.

A reader, Changchun

The subway is the most popular means of public transport in big cities. Taking the subway means you have to endure the crowds, and scantily clad passengers can easily become an easy target for the perverts. Dressing appropriately in public shows not only self-respect but also respect for others.

YANZI, Kunming

Given the frequent complaints of sexual harassment, I think society should create a women-friendly environment rather than blaming them for inviting sexual harassment. Installing cameras, for instance, can be a deterrent to perverts. The subway operators can also consider setting up women-only subway cars during rush hours. The Shanghai Metro's micro blog just shows the metro operator is shirking its responsibility of ensuring passengers' safety.

A reader, Changsha

How a woman dresses is her own business, but how she dresses reflects her personality and tells others who she is. One of the admirable qualities of a woman is that she can always strike a balance between beauty and comfort.

DONGDONGQIANG, Zhengzhou

No one can deny that people should dress properly in the public. However, the way the Shanghai Metro put it in its micro blog sent the message that women not dressed in a "dignified" manner deserve it if they are sexually harassed.

SHANNAN, Shanghai

Nowadays women are often scantily dressed and wear clothes that expose their cleavage. I do not think that is about beauty. Not every man has a will strong enough to resist temptation, and the advice for women to dress properly in the public is well-intended. Women should not ignore such advice.

A reader, Foshan, Guangdong province

(China Daily 07/02/2012 page9)