So I was walking along the waterfront, and I saw a pleasure boat motoring past. And at the stern I saw a bunch of nubile, slender, probably-sometimes-models in fur trimmed Santa bikinis. And I thought... are you kidding? People still do that? In 2014?

And yup, sure enough there was a bunch of "lads" waiting on the wharf for their cruise.

Now let us be clear, I am not the fun police. Nor am I some high-minded politically-correct individual who abhors the objectification of human beings in general and women in particular. (Let's be honest, everybody objectifies, much as it's unfashionable to say so. When you meet a potential partner do you size up their personality or their body first? Of course it's the latter because it's all you have to go on. You know squat about who they are until later. And if they're physically attractive enough you often get to understand the axiom that beauty is only skin deep but ugly goes to the bone, but that's a different conversation.)

As far as burlesque shows or, on the other side of the fence, Magic Mike type shows go... hey whatever floats your boat because the performers often enjoy showing off their athleticism as much as the crowd enjoys watching.

But having a collection of people who are regarded as nothing more than eye candy to be ogled by an increasingly drunk group of lads as they serve them drinks? It's not evil, and it's not morally depraved (much as some who are desperate for any excuse to be offended will claim)... but it is not classy. At all. It's like Hugh Hefner, a rather tacky, anachronistic relic that you look at and think... "How is that still a thing?" Possibly even "How was that EVER a thing?"

(But I have to admit, phwoooar, I wouldn't mind that one with her back to me. A real hottie. No, not the blonde, I'm referring to the Mitsubishi Lancer VRX which was parked on the street to the right that I had to crop out. Great body; sportsback in fact, nudge, nudge, know what I mean? 2.4 litre Mivec engine. She'd be a REAL little goer...)