It seems every man and his dog has had his say on John Key’s ponytail pulling antics at his favourite Parnell eatery, and that’s no offence to men or dogs before you get your gander up about animal rights.

No one would argue that it’s normal Prime Ministerial behaviour to tug at a waitress’ or anyone’s ponytail.

In fact most of us would expect a haranguing at the very least or a haymaker if we persisted in tugging the hind locks of anyone or anything.

But Teflon John Key’s not your usual man in the street. Truth is he’s lived a relatively sheltered life, particularly when it comes to women. He met wife Bronagh as a teenager and they’ve been together ever since, so his experience on that front is limited.

Holding the job he does lets him get away with more than most of us. Even though the waitress says his boorish behaviour upset her, how did she express that upset? He’s not saying but like most of us, she no doubt giggled nervously and it’s likely her annoyance went over Key’s head.

In Istanbul, ahead of the Gallipoli centennial, his body language said it all though. He thought he’d been indulging in hijinx in the café, or horsing around as he put it, which is probably why he went for the ponytail.

This is not to excuse his behaviour which even he admits was silly.

But Key’s a happy go lucky sort of a bloke. He does things that others, except for Big Dave Lange, wouldn’t dream of doing. He says he’s not going to change his ways and correctly observed that his approach to life, where he has a laugh with others and at himself, is one of his strengths.

His predecessor Helen Clark’s on his Gallipoli trip but she wasn’t buying into the war back home.

This champion of women’s rights, who under normal circumstances would have joined the chorus of outrage, looked somewhat uncomfortable when she was asked what she thought about it. The familiar Clark chuckle choked the words that she’d prefer to pass on that one.

Key would prefer to pass on it as well and he’s been left choking on his actions. He says he’s learnt a lesson and won’t be as casual in the future.

He could try tugging the forelock, it’d get him into less trouble!