Tim Mathieson....blunder or not?

[twinkles**stars]

http://au.news.yahoo.com/latest/a/-/latest/15975324/pms-partner-jokes-about-prostate-exams/

Prime Minister Julia Gillard's partner, Tim Mathieson, has made a joke about Asian women and prostate examinations during a speech at The Lodge.

The remark was made during a reception in honour of the Prime Minister's XI cricket match.

Mr Mathieson is a men's health ambassador and was encouraging the crowd to get prostate checks.

He then suggested men should look for a small, female, Asian doctor to perform the examination.

"We can get a blood test for it, but the digital examination is the only true way to get a correct reading on your prostate, so make sure you go and do that, and perhaps look for a small, Asian, female doctor is probably the best way," he said.

[twinkles**stars]

Completely agree with this comment.

...or maybe have the opposite affect with men thinking it's too painful to be checked? Which it's not at all.

Some need to do a little research about the procedure?

[not_an_eloi]

a long-standin' joke (that's a pun, folks)

waste of an opportunity, though, to spread the news, that the ol' bumfinger is no longer necessary, prostate check is  now done by  blood test   (some like it, the old way, though.  lol)

[happyroo_bunji]

a long-standin' joke (that's a pun, folks)

waste of an opportunity, though, to spread the news, that the ol' bumfinger is no longer necessary, prostate check is  now done by  blood test   (some like it, the old way, though.  lol)

Wrong.

The head of the Men's Shed movement, David Helmers...."We would recommend that men over 50 have both the blood test and the digital rectal examination, because neither of them is perfect."

[cherry*135]

A somewhat clumsy attempt at humour, but even though unintended,  the result is a wide media coverage of the need for prostate checks as one grows older, which can be nothing but good.

Agree, getting it out there in the public, getting people talking about it raises awareness.

[ashjoma]

It was a lighthearted bloke's joke - not intended to be offensive

and jumped on by the media out to cause trouble and for something to do

He is harmless enough

[izabsmiling]

I'd normally think how those mentioned may feel about it ?

In this case I take it he was meaning that the stereotype often have smaller hands...it could perhaps give them extra business ?

[kayza40]

Storm in a teacup.  Not even offensive.   You'd think the media would have more newsworthy items to be reporting right now. 

[izabsmiling]

I agree with what MM said too

[patchoo78]

Would it be less offensive if he hadn't said the Dr should be Asian and Female?

[azureline**]

My OH said "storm in a teacup, most men know exactly what he meant."