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Your life and safety are no joke, so it’s always best to err on the side of caution. One study shows that nearly two-thirds of women have experienced street harassment. So, first impressions are certainly important when it comes to staying vigilant. Nobody’s denying that. However, they’re not always accurate. In some cases, you can wildly misinterpret a stranger’s character and intent just because they happen to be in your vicinity.

To that end, some of the men on the internet took to r/AskReddit and spilled the beans about the biggest misunderstandings they’ve been in, where someone wrongly labeled them as creeps. Scroll down to read all about their awkward and embarrassing stories.

#1

“I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy Teacher here. Went to a retail store and was standing in line. There was an 8th/9th grader a few people ahead of me paying for school supplies with *coins* and she had to make a decision of what to keep and what to put away because she didn't have enough money

Walked up and said I would pay because I taught at a local school (I still had my badge on.) The girl was happy and said thank you, but the looks the cashier and other people gave me in line were like daggers

I heard murmurs about how it was weird and the cashier said nothing to me when she rang me out.

I was mad at first, but I'd do it again. If kids can't afford what they need to not fall behind I don't care what random people think.

lowtoiletsitter , cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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Janissary35680
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Premium
1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's weird or dagger-look attracting about what the OP did?

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    #2

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy I "followed" some girls my age. They were driving and so was I. They took random turns for a while to confirm that I was following them however they drove right to my cul de sac.

    When I stopped and they confronted me, I just opened my garage door and went inside. Kinda understandable, but if a stranger really is following you, don't stop and talk to them.

    TalksSh*tAboutTotal , Tnarg / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Gatorraid
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    While their awareness of danger is good, their lack of taking the full preventative steps is kinda lacking. Never confront the person following you unless you got some kind of weapon to defend yourself with or simply call the police

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    #3

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy I tripped and fell on a sidewalk. When I got to my knees, a woman in a skirt was standing over me asking if I needed help. When I first looked up, I was looking at her underwear. Another woman yelled at me "What kind of a pervert are you, looking up women's skirts like that!" The woman in the skirt came to my defense and helped me up. She told off the other woman, "Can't you see he fell? His hands are bleeding!"

    Still, other people there gave me the hairy eyeball. The woman in the skirt insisted on helping getting my hands attended to. I was terribly embarrassed, but she wasn't bothered one bit. I was 22 at the time. I was very conscious when walking on that sidewalk after that.

    Viker2000 , Heitor Verdi / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Anne Jones
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is so sad. Rather than helping him, a woman shouted at him! Thank goodness for the nice lady who helped him.

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    One survey from 2014, commissioned by Stop Street Harassment, found that 65% of women reported having been harassed in public. Some of the most common forms of harassment included leering, honking, whistling, sexist comments, vulgar gestures, explicit comments, and kissing noises. Many women also reported being followed, having their paths blocked, being grabbed, and even being assaulted.

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    Meanwhile, 25% of male respondents reported that they had been street harassed. The most common form of harassment they experienced was homophobic or transphobic slurs.

    #4

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy Usually just being a father of a young kid at the playground, birthday party, or other function is enough. Mom's stare at you assuming the worst, when really you're just trying your hardest to be a part of your kids life.

    MLSurfcasting , Pavel Danilyuk / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Andrew Irish
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a brutal reality. I'm transgender. Born female, and transitioned to male. I got my chest surgery almost 20 years ago, and have been on testosterone for almost 15. I'm 41yo now, and so I pass as a cis (meaning non-trans) guy. I'm very happy with my transition, but there are many dangers and uncomfortable realities to say the least,. 1 of the worst, is that I went from being seen as safe and adorable when playing "faces" or otherwise engaging with kids to being seen as a complete creep every damn time. Within my personal identity, I recognize my very strong maternal instincts. I am thrilled to be a parent, and I love kiddos. The majority are so laid back, accepting, creative and kind. It has been SO SO hard to stop looking in any kids direction (in public). Definitely no faces, or games. My wife can do as she pleases, and I remember that. It breaks my heart. If I screw up and help a kid reach something or otherwise chit chat, parents look horrified. It SUCKS.

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    #5

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy I was in the dorm elevator riding down from floor 12 and the elevator stopped at floor 8. Two girls were waiting for the elevator and one looked at me and said to the other “uh, that’s creepy. There’s some guy in there.”

    Pretty weird that someone else would ride an elevator, eh?

    ThrowingTheRinger , cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    #6

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy In my freshman year, my High School as going to charge me a a predator for showing sign of Sexual harassment. What did I do?

    A girl was talking down about herself during math period, when the bell rung, I caught up to her and told her "Hey, just want to let you know that you're beautiful, and all the stuff you said about yourself isn't true. You are amazing and I hope things get better". Then we left the classroom.

    Apparently, the substitute teacher heard me say this and reported it to main office. 2 days later, I am called into the Dean's office and was told that calling a girl you don't know Beautiful or Pretty is Sexual Harassment, and that is a sign that I am a sexual predator.

    Thankfully it didn't go any further, cause the social workers said they would interview other female students I am seen with most often, and they all stood up for me or was confused why they would ask that. But it still pisses me off when I remember.

    3ao7ssv8 , Ivan Samkov / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    The Darrigo and Diaz personal injury law firm suggests that if you suspect that someone may be following you while you’re driving in the city, try making four right turns. If the car you were suspicious of is still behind you, it’s almost guaranteed that it’s following you.

    Meanwhile, if you’re on the interstate, try exiting it and getting back on. It’s very suspicious if the person in the car behind you does the same. Alternatively, try slowing down for a few minutes to check if the other driver mimics you. If they don’t pass you, it’s a red flag.

    #7

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy Because I'm not sexually attracted to anyone. They insisted that if I'm not attracted to adult men and women, then I must be attracted to child boys and girls, because apparently to them being a p*dophile was more reasonable than being asexual.

    Belteshazzar98 , Bruno Ngarukiye / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    #8

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy Standing quietly behind someone in a grocery store, reading a book on my phone and listening to music in my earbuds. She eventually taps my arm and tells that "you're not fooling anybody so stop staring at her!" Apparently asking why would I be staring at her was the wrong thing to ask and she went off on one, fortunately the cashier and the two older ladies stepped up for me. Shout out for the one saying " no he's got a point why would any one waste a second glance on you, your so bland your just background like furniture in a chip shop" which I don't truly get but sent her nuclear before a manager asked her to leave.

    Lostboxoangst , beytlik / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    #9

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy I had a professional quality camera (this was back before cameras were on cellphones) and was seemingly taking pictures of kids at a playground. Thankfully it was a digital camera and I could show the police that were called that I was taking pictures of my own son for his grandparents.

    ComesInAnOldBox , Ornán Rodríguez Velázquez / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Anne Jones
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My daughter (5) asked her dad to take a photo of her at the swimming pool. She was proud of her new cossie . Oh, my goodness! You’d have thought he’d killed someone! So embarrassed.

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    The best way to react if you’re being followed while driving is to remain as calm and cool as possible. Your goal is to remain in control and safe. You should not indicate to your stalker that you know that they’re following you. Nor should you drive home: you don’t want to lead them to where you live. Instead, drive in a different direction. Preferably, somewhere well-lit and crowded.

    Meanwhile, if you feel that you are in danger, call the police or head to the nearest station. Call the authorities anyway, even if you’re not 100% sure if the threat is real. It’s always better to be safe. The police will instruct you on what to do next.

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    #10

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy I was a professional touring musician. I was on a flight (which I often was) and this maybe 9 or 10 year old girl was in the seat next to me flying alone and she had a violin with her.

    SHE initiated a conversation with me because she saw me put my guitar in the over head. She asked me what kind of guitar and what i played etc. We had a nice conversation about composers we like and she was telling me about a piece she was composing herself! Really cool kid.

    This goes on for about 10 minutes and the flight attendant comes by and tells the girl if she wants she can sit "up front" in first class! The kid actually looked at me like, "what do I do?" I was like, 'wow thats awesome go!"

    Now keep in mind, Im not a long hair freaky looking music type, Im totally clean cut and normal...

    Anyway, a few min later another flight attendant goes over and I hear her ask the one that moved the girl why and I heard her say she didn't feel comfortable with "that man" talking to her.

    I was really hurt.

    I mean I get it, people are nuts and you never know but it really bothered me.

    Raspberries-Are-Evil , Anas Jawed / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    #11

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy I was sitting on a chair in the hallway, head in my hands staring at the floor, just found out my Aunt died. Just thousand yard staring stuck in thought eyes unfocused.

    girl in class walks over standing in front of me while on her phone. Notices me and freaks out accusing me of staring at her feet.

    was known as the creepy feet guy for a few months after that.....

    -retaliation- , Inzmam Khan / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Roger9er
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's almost laughable how ridiculous this sounds, and in particular the fact that someone thinks that OP was a feet fetishist JUST by 'staring at her feet', while actually staring at the DAMN FLOOR.

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    #12

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy I struggle to speak and that used to get me labelled creepy. then i lost a bunch of weight and now it's just considered shyness. crazy how that works.

    thanks_breastie , Valentin Angel Fernandez / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Have you ever been followed, dear Pandas? On the flip side, has anyone felt threatened by you or called you a creep due to a misunderstanding? How did you react in those situations?

    What advice would you give anyone who’s feeling unsafe while in public? Share your experiences and advice in the comments section at the bottom of this post.

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    #13

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy I'm a lifeguard, someone got mad I looked at them when there in the water, it felt like I was in a onion article.

    20k_dollar_lunchbox , Igor Starkov / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Beth Wheeler
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ummmm it's your freaking job to actually look at the people while they are in the water for their safety.

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    #14

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy Changing my daughter in the women's restroom because it was the only one with a changing table.

    Ubermassive , Helena Lopes / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    James016
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Been there, done that. Thankfully facilities have got a lot more accessible for fathers.

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    #15

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy I once got home at about 3 am, and parked my car in my parking spot about 2 blocks from my apartment. I was walking home, alone on the street except for one girl who was ahead of me on the sidewalk. I guess she felt uncomfortable, so she started running, but she was a slow runner. I kept walking at the same speed, which was not particularly fast.

    Apparently, we were neighbours because she ran all the way to my apartment building and ran inside, slamming the door to the elevator room behind her. I felt kind of bad, I decided to take the stairs. I lived on the second floor anyway.

    Turns out we lived on the same floor, and the elevator opened up right as I was walking out of the stairwell. Did my best not to make eye contact and walked away from her to my apartment. She was clearly panicking though.

    Always wondered what I should've done different. I feel like if I had called out to her to let her know I wasn't a r*pist that wouldn't have helped.

    bigdreams_littled*ck , Mustapha Damilola / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Nils Skirnir
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You couldn’t have done anything different. She likely had her own bad experiences and nothing you could have done would have helped

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    #16

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy Back in high school I found out through the grapevine a girl had been saying I was a creep because I "stare at her all the time." I literally didn't know this person even existed or had ever heard their name until that moment.

    greyhoodbry , cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    #17

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy A new coworker (*new at the time this happened, this was like 6 years ago now*) was telling me that she would love to meet a guy like me, then asked if I wanted to see her after work that night. I told her Yes, and she was shocked and then told me that she had plans to babysit that night.

    She told our boss that she didn't feel comfortable working with me anymore and that I kept asking her out, she transferred the next day, and I had to meet with my boss and my boss's boss to explain it. They'd known me for a long time and seemed to believe what I told them, but it was still an incredibly uncomfortable and honestly frightening scenario that could have easily spun out of control against me.

    So not exactly the question asked, because the label didn't seem to stick, but it still really threw me off and made me really anxious for a long time.

    That kind of thing freaks me out so much. That people can just create situations that could potentially cause a lot of harm over seemingly nothing.

    **So, in a way, "labeled a creep for saying Yes to a woman asking me out."**.

    PK_Thundah , Elevate Digital / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Nils Skirnir
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Similar happened to me long ago. Not much to do except avoid romantic relationships at work, gym, etc

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    #18

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy In a many roommates situation

    My bedroom was just off the kitchen, and my computer desk was directly across from my door (Facing away.)

    I'm sitting there one day with my door open, hear a noise, and when I turn around one of my roommate's friends is there in a bikini (We had a hot tub)

    We make eye contact and I return to what I'm doing. No words, no lingering glances, no staring. A simple look of "Oh there's a person." without even any acknowledgment apart from seeing each other.

    I find out later, that girl told all my roommates I made her uncomfortable enough to never come back by looking at her.

    Now I've had people say some MEAN s**t about me, but I've genuinely never been more insulted in my life.

    GrizzlamicBearrorism , Kyle Miller / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    #19

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy I was eating at a restaurant when I noticed that a group of my friends were also eating at the restaurant at another table.

    I gave a brief smile over because I tend to smile when people are hanging out or there’s affection taking place in front of me.

    But a woman accused me for creeping on the one girl in that group of friends as if I was trying to get that girls attention.

    I was a teenager. A simple smile and acknowledgement of being happy that other people are hanging out gets you labeled a creep 🤷🏻‍♂️.

    Thrownatseaaway Report

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    Vincent Philippart
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The funny thing is, she was the creep observing in detail the behaviour of a teenage boy she didn't know.

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    #20

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy I smiled and waved at a toddler (who waved at me) in target, the toddler was immediately scooped up and the the mom mumbled "what a creep", for context I'm a father of two an had diapers and a paw patrol player in my cart.

    PsychologicalAsk2668 , Polesie Toys / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Lost Panda
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have 4 kids, so anytime a tot or small child smiles/waves/stares I wave/smile or what not so that they don't cry because of scary man (Think Tommy Lee Jones' constant expression, and that's me). The reactions some parents have is insane. Sorry I'm a foreign dad that doesn't like kids crying I guess... XD

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    #21

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy I took my younger brother to a trampoline park (I’m in my 20s and he’s 8). He accidentally jumped near one of the younger kids and they started crying. This kids mother was nowhere near him and I went over to ask if he needed any help, if he was ok and where his parents / guardian was. He was very distraught and didn’t answer but when his mom finally did show up, she gave me this look that just screamed “get away from my child” and snapped at me saying “I can handle it.” Mind you she didn’t show up for at least a minute while this kid was screaming and I was trying to find who this kids guardian was.

    I totally understand stranger danger as a young child and being careful, and I know parents can be protective of their children. However, I was leaning down next to him with my younger brother with me making sure he was ok. If I was a woman, this probably would have gone differently. It is what it is I guess.

    thebum2000 , Ksenia Chernaya / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    V
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope OP knows that it might not be because he was a man. I have had the same thing happen to me at the park with my kid and I am a middle aged white woman. Some people are just nucking futs.

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    #22

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy When I was around 23-24 I used to play/teach kids how to play basketball at a local park. Kids middle school aged. Some boys (as a joke) started saying I was a p*do.

    I stopped playing with those kids shortly after. I honestly have avoided playing basketball near kids at a park ever since.

    My wife thinks I’m being ridiculous because it’s been around 8yrs since then, but I’m honestly still scared. I avoid kids all together other than my nephews these days.

    BBQpirate , cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Lost Panda
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No, not ridiculous because all it takes is one person to make a joke around the wrong person and BOOM damage done

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    #23

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy When I was in high school at a fair I had a middle school girl "hit" on me and ask me out, my simple response was "you're too young to date and I'm too old for you." An older lady at the fair tapped me on the shoulder to tell me I'm a creep for talking to a young girl.

    behannrp , cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    #24

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy I got called out as a creep because I walked with my dog near a kindergarten, I was just out walking with the dog and the kids ran to the gate (they couldn't get out to me and the dog) and wanted to pet my dog through the fence, my dog loves kids so I let them, after a few minutes one of the teachers or what they are called came and told the kids to get away and told me that it was inappropriate and creepish behavior.

    Since then I never go near kids or kindergartens.

    anon , Everton Nobrega / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Nils Skirnir
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I moved to a new area a few years ago. I was training for a marathon and my course went by a primary/middle school. About the fourth time I ran past the school cops chased me down and questioned me. Evidently a parent got suspicious. I changed my route and avoid kids, teenagers, and mothers. Won’t look at them, talk to them, smile at them, or even wave. Unless they’re family.

    Robert T
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is the first one where I have to say that it was probably best avoided. Too many stories of kids being lured by someone with a dog. That said, when I was walking a friend's dog in the park, I'd let kids come and pet the dog, as she was a lovely old girl who woudn't harm a fly. Nobody seemed to think I was creepy.

    QueerAxolotls
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To be fair; my old elementary school was in a neighborhood and people walked by a lot, and we weren't allowed near the fence because of it. Why? Apparently someone (a woman) did that and then f-ing PEPPER SPRAYED the kid and ran.

    Bookworm
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seems like the school should have done something more useful than 'make a large chunk of the property effectively useless because of one nutcase.'

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    BeesEelsAndPups
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I walk with my dog and go by a preschool. My dog is super cute and loves kids too. But I don't stop even when the kids ask. I usually just turn to the kids and say something like "sorry guys, we're in a hurry". Sorry, but as a guy you have to realize that there are spaces where we are not welcome, and often there are historically f*cked up reasons for that. So we need to accept it and move on.

    Becca not Becky
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Unfortunately there are several documented cases of creeps using their dogs as a rouse to get kids to lower their guard.

    Momo ONeil
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't think OP was acting like a creep. But some very creepy people do very gross and not ok things around schools sometimes. I feel like, if we need to change our behavior a bit even though we're good people, that's the price we pay to protect kids from being creeped on by the bad ones.

    Fellfromthemoon
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It was mildly inappropriate but not in a predatory way. You trusted kindergarteners, very young kids to pet a strange dog w/o parental permission. You never know, which child has an allergy to fur; moreover, kids sometimes can act wildly, startling or causing pain to the dog that potentially leads to accidents.

    Bored Seagull
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's not the OPs responsibility to protect kids from triggering allergies the OP doesn't know of. That's the responsibility of the kindergardeners, who are tasked by the kids' parents to look after them. It's reasonable that the kindergardeners don't want the kids to pet unknown dogs, but there is no reason to be an a*s about that and call people creeps. Just talking to the dog owner and calmly stating why they don't want the kids to pet the dog goes a long way.

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    #25

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy I worked in fighter jets. A girl came out to talk to the pilot during an engine running refuel and she had no business being near it, didn’t know the safety zones. She walked up and looked directly into the running engine. I know there isn’t enough pull to suck her up at idle but it can suck the pens out of her arm pen holder for sure so I ran up, grabbed her by the jacket on her shoulders and threw her behind me, she absolutely flew and fell on her face.


    I saved her from wrecking a multimillion dollar engine at best, her life at worst. All because she was flirting with the f*****g pilot. How do I know? I had a 3 sided comm cord and heard the whole f*****g thing. She called me a creep for it and tried to get me in trouble.

    Legeto , Darli Donizete / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Lost Panda
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And she should have been served an Article 15 and lost her line badge instantly.

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    #26

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy I was about 15 at a house party I once helped an extremely drunk girl same age as me get picked up safely by her parents, only people thought I was trying to sleep with her and get her to come home with me, so they wouldn't let us leave the house together.

    I had to ring her dad to come into the house to get her and I helped them out to the car.

    Her friends where more concerned that they thought I was trying to sleep with her than the actual wellbeing of their friend. They where useless.

    Anyway, even though the girl in question told everyone to stop and couldn't stick up for me anymore than she did, I was known as a creep for years.

    It Destroyed my self confidence at the time and I didn't go out again in that manner until I was almost 20.

    Ok_Bottle_8796 , cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Heffalump
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tbh, I wouldn't let a drunk female friend out of the front door at a teenage party either, unless i knew and trusted the person. Her friends were being good friends: they weren't worried about "the actual wellbeing of their friend" because she wasn't at risk. She was just drunk and they could make sure she didn't get into trouble.

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    #27

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy I worked in a childcare. That was enough for some people.

    I told people I was an education major.

    Having a beard and wearing. Glasses.

    mrsnowplow , Andrea Piacquadio / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    BarfyCat
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's definitely hard being a male teacher sometimes. Especially when working with a student population with lots of trauma/mental health issues. Husband has had students threaten to call CPS on him for telling them to be quiet, for accidentally brushing up against a knee while walking between the rows of desks, etc. It got better when he switched from middle school to high school, surprisingly.

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    #28

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy I got banned from a fashion sub for saying someone's thigh-highs were excellent (they had a blood splotch pattern that genuinely looked sick). I asked why and the mod said, "you know why, creep" and then blocked me from contacting the mods.

    People are real quick to be a******s. But also, they didn't know me at all and their bad take isn't a reflection of me in any way. Nor is it a reflection on the serious and overwhelming problems women have with creeps.

    Janube , Pavel Danilyuk / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Bookworm
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    1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, you don't want to be part of that group anyway. If it wasn't that it would have been something else.

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    #29

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy I once helped a girl take off her wetsuit when I was 15. She asked since she wasnt able to fix it herself and she was freezing.

    Next thing I know, around 15 girls from around 14 years old are calling me creep. I was stuck with them for a whole week being the only guy in that group, so yeah, that was a great experience at sailing camp. Did a great job to my self-esteem for the next 6 years. They treated me like c**p for the whole week while I did nothing wrong.

    Jesus_Chrheist , Dmitriy Ganin / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    QueerAxolotls
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's weird that this camp was co-ed and didn't have private changing rooms, if they weren't wearing things under the wetsuit. Also, where were the girls who didn't offer to help?

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    #30

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy So I used to have this canvas in the back seat of my car that was designed so my dog could ride with me and not slip down on the floor and it would also wrangle her hair and help keep it from going everywhere.

    I went on a date with a girl that I’d already met and when she saw the canvas in the back of my car she refused to get in because she thought I was trying to m*rder her and use that to wrap up her body.

    I just said “Okay, sorry for making you feel that way, I assure you I wasn’t ever going to try and m*rder you.” and then I never pursued her romantically again.

    MyWorldTalkRadio , Helena Lopes / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    #31

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy I was sitting in the park, watching my son play on the swings.

    Kahzgul , Kha Ruxury / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Momo ONeil
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I get that these situations suck for all of the wholesome dads out there just trying to be nice / spend time with their own children. The context, though, is that sick people do hang around playgrounds and children do get snatched, m*lested, or exposed to. There was a guy who used to sit in his car in the park in our neighborhood watching the children. I'd always assumed he was there with his child, until he was arrested for pleasuring himself in the car whilst watching the children. My point is that some people, a very small but terrifying minority of people, have made us vigilant and suspicious. I get that it sucks, especially for innocent men, but I don't know how it can change while still keeping kids safe from harm.

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    #32

    I mentioned to a lady that I used to stop and sit for a bit by this one park when I would go for walks. There were some slides and swings on the other side of the park, so she decided I was a creepy pedo. I had already said that I went for walks late, like 11 pm or even later.

    So because I sometimes sat on a bench 200 feet from a swing, hours after anyone had finished using it, and outside the fence and facing away from it anyhow, she said she would call the cops on me if she ever saw me do that. Okey dokey then.

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    #33

    I had a new coworker start the other day, when she clocked in, i was busy, and every time i thought "i should go introduce myself" she was busy with orientation stuff.

    finally after an hour or so of her being there, i finally introduced myself.

    the girl training her was like "wow, an hour into her shift?"

    not necessarily labeled a creep, but i felt the judgement in her words, like i was trying to act all cool and nonchalant by waiting an hour or something.

    like no dude i just didn't get the chance because it's Friday and it's busy here, f**k off Rhonda.

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    #34

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy In middle school during one of the random auditorium presentations we were shuffled into the seats. Chances are if your school has an auditorium you'll know how they did it. No choice of seat, no choice of seat neighbors, fill in every single available seat in order with no spaces. Well, I was lined up behind one of the popular girls and that meant I was going to sit next to her. I couldn't care less. She felt otherwise.


    We sit and every few seconds she turns to me and goes "ugh", a little louder each time. I've ignored her every single time, staring straight ahead at whatever PSA b******t the school had cooked up. Out of my peripheral vision I can see that she's comically scooted all the way over to her right practically climbing on top of her friend while they whispered to each other.


    Suffering through that should have been the end of it but as it turns out she made up a bunch of s**t about me grinning at her, smelling her, saying I wanted to touch her, stopping just short of claiming I'd raped her. She's one of the most popular kids so of course it becomes a thing where everyone that hears it believes it. I'm a short, slightly chubby kid that's quiet and keeps to himself so of course I'm a creep, obviously.


    Luckily 9/11 happened like a month later and everyone forgot about it.

    angelicinthedark , Max Fischer / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    DC
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Those so-called popular ones ... oh my, that that much of a thing? In that density, I've only ever seen it on TV in stuff located in the US. That may have to do with a large proportion of TV stemming from there, but I kind of get the impression that popularity and the traps attached to not having it is a different level over there. Is it like that, or is it a TV thing, or was I used to being seen as a weirdo enough to not really notice how much it means to some?

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    #35

    Because i was too quiet.

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    #36

    Hanging out with my best friend (a girl) a lot. Ended up at a party with her and another girl was saying to another person there how creepy I am for “following my friend around all the time.” I was just kind of like “the f**k?” in my head and was gonna let it go, but my friend also heard this and called her out was like “He isn’t? He’s my best friend and we hang out a lot” or something along those lines. I didn’t really care but it was nice that she backed me up. Oddly enough, months later I ended up very close with the girl who called me creepy and we’re good friends now lol.

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    Bookworm
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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just shows that the kids, at least, who say those things frequently aren't really thinking it through.

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    #37

    Was waiting OUTSIDE of locker rooms after a play bc my friend needed my help and one of the theater kids accused me of being a creep and looking into the locker rooms even tho I was turned away from both doors and clearly holding my friend’s s**t for her.

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    #38

    I said hi! To random stranger.

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    #39

    Because I was trying to be a hospitable host. My brother has some people over, 3 women from work.

    Would you like some more wine?

    Did you eat enough?

    Let me take that plate for you.

    One of them thought I was a little too "eager" to have company over and that I'd drugged the wine. So she would dump it when I wasn't around.

    Couple of things

    1. That's just a waste of good wine

    2. Damned if I do, damned if I don't. I'd be a creep either way because if I backed off I'd be seen as the creep in the corner not saying anything

    3. And lastly, oh honey.... If I was going to d**g anyone here, trust me, it wouldn't be you. Get over yourself. You're the fugliest one here by a mile.

    Oh, and another commentor jogged my memory of this gem. My boss at my last job banned smoking on the property, so I'd go to the gas station next door to smoke. The gas station attendant *called the f*****g police* and told them I was looking at little girls. There's not a playground nearby. There's not a day care in sight. The nearest school is at least 5 miles away. But sure. I was looking at little girls. The cops knew it was a b******t call, but that had to show up at my job and ask anyway.

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    Fellfromthemoon
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The gas station attendat wanted to get rid of OP. Seriously, who thinks it's a good idea smoking at a gas station? Highly flammable fumes everywhere. (Actually, I think it's banned in my country.)

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    #40

    Im 40. Was leaning on a tree at a park and was kind of zoned out while listening to my Sec+ study group. A couple of, I assume 20 yr olds, walked by and then glanced back at me. One of em turned around and started walking towards me. Thats when I noticed her. She finally just comes out with "At least you arent trying to take a picture, pervert." I firee back with "F**k off, child. Im listening to a podcast. "F**k you, creep." Then she stormed off.

    So that was...odd.

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    #41

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy Said my eyes “bugged creepily out of my head” like wtf 😭.

    SqoobySnaq , cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    MartiBob
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I watched a friend struggle with Graves disease, which makes your eyes grow too large for your eye sockets. Horrific disease. People were horrible to her! Just like any other parts of the body, keep you damn comments to yourself.

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    #42

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy Smiling at kids having fun. Why when other people do it- it’s acceptable, but when I do it I get stared at. Weird people. Those people that judge me should be judged because the naughty thing is the first thing on their mind.

    anon , Kampus Production / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Gatorraid
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Could it be those other people were the parents so to the judges only assumed you were a creep? Not that you are, idk you so I can't call you one.

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    #43

    This one’s a bit different but a girl I was seeing admitted to having a a really big daddy kink and she wanted to explore it, but I’m talking like full blown incest. I found it a little weird but I didn’t want to embarrass her especially after she worked up the courage to share it. We talked about and she explained what turned her in about it and we agreed to do a little role play. The day came and we did our thing, and despite being a little weirded out about it I tried my best to get into it because I wanted her to enjoy it. Basically I was trying to be as supportive as I could and leaned into the scenario which she seemed to *really* enjoy at the time.

    A few days later she started being really short with me and kept making up excuses to not hang out. Eventually when I asked her what was going on she said I was a little *too* into the fantasy and it creeped her out/made her wary. 💀.

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    Penguin Panda Pop
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Classic projection of her own issues I would suggest. Perhaps she was freaked out by how much she enjoyed it and (I hope) realised how messed up the whole thing is.

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    #44

    My wife and I are the primary care for her sister since their parents are not very good at parenting. We are mid twenties and her sister is middle grades. The looks I get whenever I take her anywhere is astonishing. Never had anyone openly try and intervine yet.

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    #45

    Not “creep” exactly, but I got called a p*dophile for approaching a lady who was trying to change her baby’s nappy/diaper in the closed seating area of the cafe that I worked in during COVID. Literally just walked over there to tell her she couldn’t do it. (By the way, in the mall I worked in there are baby changing toilets 2 minutes from the cafe) and she proceeded to call me a p*dophile and say I should be more considerate because her baby is autistic….

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    Aroace tiger (she/they/he)
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    1. How old was the baby to be diagnosed with autism lol?? 2. What would autism have to do with it

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    #46

    I've worked sales jobs the past 15+ years. I have a pretty good memory and sometimes remember "small/insignificant" things about people or parts of conversations we've had. I've many times been looked at like a weirdo/creep for remembering intricate details about something they forgot or didn't realize the told me ect..

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    E
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Happens to me too! Like sorry most people don't actually pay attention when other's speak, but I do.

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    #47

    My ex was a teacher. One day she called me asking if I could bring balloons and a cake to her on my lunch break as it was another teacher’s birthday and I worked fairly close. She told me to just meet her at the back gate. Standing on the street with balloons and a cake outside of the back entrance of an elementary school got me some odd glares from the passers-by.

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    #48

    Just talking to a girl to get to know her as a friend and she told everyone I was stalking her and harassing her💀.

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    #49

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy Asked a girl out to dinner.

    coleinthetube22 , cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    #50

    My social anxiety was pinging at a baseball game, while being introduced as a new friend to the group. I didn't talk much and was hyper-vigilant. After the game, the one guy i knew said the group thought i was creepy and sad. He stood up for me (he said). I'm still cool with him a decade later, but his friends were whack.

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    #51

    Apparently army crawling while in fourth grade. Someone accused me of looking up their skirt when I was like 15 feet away from them. Then all the girls had a meeting and I was labeled a creep. Thankfully summer break happened, but that girl still hated me for middle school and highschool.

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    #52

    I deal with back pain and was stretching on a fairly empty train platform (bending downward, bringing my fingertips to my toes). My back was really tight this day, and I got a really deep, satisfying stretch. As I’m slowly raising up out of the stretch, I must have been making an odd face because a woman 30 feet away shot me a disgusted look and mouthed “gross” to herself.

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    pipboo
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I put my backside against a wall whenever I due this. Mainly for self preservation because I don't want anyone taking advantage when I'm in such a vulnerable position. To do what? Touch me, push me over, snatch my bag. Tuck yourself away in a corner next time.

    #53

    I was sitting in a chair in my friend's living room minding my own business and contributing the the conversation when I had something to add. The conversation was basically small talk. Apparently that made a girl in the room think I was "creepy.".

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    #54

    I’m an average 30ish yo male. I’m pretty clean cut and most would consider me conventionally attractive. Well, I used to park in a nice neighborhood on the outskirts of downtown Seattle, then take the bus in to town 2 miles away. I got back to my car one day and my battery was dead. I had jumper cables and my hood up ready to go, and I approached this lady who I’ve seen many times around her house in the morning over the 4+ years I’ve parked there, and asked her very nicely if she could help my jump my car. She said “I don’t have jumper cables” and I said “oh, no problem, I have some.” Then she said “well, I uh, I can’t, I just can’t.” And I said “well it would be really easy, your car is already facing mine and you can just pull up and-“ and then she blurted out “I JUST CANT YOU CREEP, STOP BOTHERING ME OR I’LL CALL THE COPS.” So I was like “woah, okay, no problem, not necessary at all.” So I just called an Uber and came back with my wife later that night to jump the car. It honestly felt really weird and dirty to be called that when I genuinely had good intentions and thought she may be neighborly.

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    Myoviridae
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a demonstrations of the snakes problem. There are 1000 snakes in a room that you have to go though. 10 of those snakes are venomous, but you can't tell which ones by looking at them. The only logical explanation to enhance survival is to avoid all the snakes that you can. Yes, this makes you look like a jerk, but being polite can get you killed.

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    #55

    “I Was Known As A Creep For Years”: 30 Men Reveal The Times They Undeservingly Were Called Creepy Offered a ride on a first date.

    downtowndaylight , Vitaliy Mitrofanenko / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Gatorraid
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's 50/50 for me. While on the first date it's courteous to do so BUT it's also more suspicious as you just got to know each other. Not calling Op here a creep. I'm calling the system of dating STUPID

    #56

    There was a girl at a party when I was in highschool who had s**t herself, she was crying, didn’t know what to do, everyone was laughing. I was raised by mostly women as my dad worked a lot as well as having a younger sister. I explained this to the girl and that even though I was buzzing, I would help her clean up and not do anything to her in a sexual connotation, my mother was a nurse for 35 years, etc. I helped her clean up, yes I saw everything, but I had 0 sexual intentions. She continued to thank me for being respectful and helpful, yet everyone else at that party insisted I did it to take advantage of her. This was 10 years ago when I was 17, as I said I was buzzing but still completely aware of my decisions, but because I was/am fat and not attractive, everyone thought I was trying to take advantage.

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    Skogsrået
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't understand, why couldn't she clean herself? Disabled? Too drunk?

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    #57

    She hit on me and I told her I had a girlfriend.

    She was pretty drunk, to be fair.

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    #58

    I am a manager, I had my team lead say it was creepy that I went to apologize to one of our female employees because they only speak Spanish and mine is very limited and while we were talking she asked about my family and I said Hermosa instead of Hermana and I was worried she would think i was creeping on her.

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    Kalikima
    Community Member
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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't know Spanish, so I don't get it, anyone that can help?

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    #59

    A coworker labeled me a creep because I said I liked women who are shorter and younger than me. She said it's probably because I want a naive, weak woman who's easy to control.

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    Ace
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well yeah, expressing such specific criteria to a female colleague is indeed quite creepy.

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