With Christmas looming large on the horizon, many people are thinking about dusting down their favourite festive traditions.
But viewers of This Morning were left up in arms after a guest said that she’d ban kissing under the mistletoe at office parties in the wake of the #MeToo movement, saying that “not all traditions are good”.
Read more: This Morning’s Christmas decorations get a mixed response from viewers
Hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby explained that in a recent survey, more than three quarters of office staff said a cheeky Christmas kiss no longer feels ‘appropriate’ in light of the #MeToo movement.
Etiquette expert Liz Brewer and journalist Rebecca Reid were brought in to discuss the topic.
Rebecca, who wants to ban kissing under the mistletoe at parties, said: “Lots of things like fox hunting and corporal punishment in schools and we decided to give them the heave-ho. Not all traditions are good.
“The behaviour I object to is when people feel objectified or harassed just because it’s Christmas,” she continued.
“I’m a believer in traditions, I love traditions,” Liz argued back.
“You don’t have to give a full-blown kiss – no tongues allowed – but what you are showing is the love of Christmas,” she continued.
This tradition’s been with us a very long time. You just don’t want to make anyone feel uncomfortable.
“This tradition’s been with us for a very long time. You just don’t want to make anyone feel uncomfortable.”
Phil went on to defend mistletoe traditional calling it a “frivolous tool for a bit flirting”.
And it wasn’t long before a chorus of outraged viewers took to social media to voice their anger at the suggestion that the tradition should be stopped.
A girl booting off saying mistletoe should be banned on this morning. Get a life hunny. It’s a tradition, you can say no! Pathetic. Sat there like everyone wants to get off with her!!
— kelly saunders (@kellysaunders88) December 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/NaomiJane_K/status/1202178514545459200
https://twitter.com/LittleLady1980/status/1202179802666549248
https://twitter.com/AndreaC28992239/status/1202178739716661248
https://twitter.com/sassyygrande/status/1202180238232428545
What is with this stupid girl on this morning?! If you don’t want to kiss someone under mistletoe just say no! Why do we need to ban it?
— lilllyvici (@lilllyvici) December 4, 2019
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One angry viewer said: “What is it with this stupid girl on This Morning?!
“If you don’t want to kiss someone under the mistletoe just say no!
“Why do we need to ban it?”