Choosing any sort of public transportation opens up a path for some awkward situations, but many are willing to take that risk for convenience or the sake of saving money. However, sometimes running into some strangers with malicious intent can surely change one’s mind. One woman on Reddit recently shared her own horror story from the subway, as she ran into a creepy guy on her way to a friend’s apartment. “I felt so anxious like throwing up so I stood up near a bunch of other people holding the rail” she recalled the experience.
Image credits: iwishmynamewasmarsha
Turns out, her fears weren’t baseless at all, as there are reports that NYPD has received around 1,024 reports of sex offenses in the transit system last year, and the number is alarming. The situation in New York can definitely spark fear in anyone’s (especially a woman’s) heart and self-defense tutorials, as well as defensive strategy tips related to public transport, are popping up all across the internet. However, this lady did not post her experience as a cautionary tale, but more as a thank you to one kind stranger that helped her in a time of need.
We’re glad that Michael stepped in to offer a helping hand to this woman, as he not only de-escalated the situation, but also took the time off his day to make sure she got to her friend’s place safely. As some people mentioned above, anyone can step in when such harassment happens and Michael’s actions are a great example on what to do, as sometimes one simply doesn’t know how to react.
Image credits: atsunori kohsaki
Here’s how people reacted to the story
Transport of London has addressed such issue in their video encouraging to report any unwanted sexual behavior on public transport
190Kviews
Share on FacebookI've done this and similar things many times. Being 6'2", 240 lbs is a big advantage. Often it just means standing between the aggressor and victim or just saying, "Hey, long time no see!" with a big smile. I can still picture the thankful smiles I received as my reward.
Thank you for saying "people" and not just "men". As a woman, I love the idea of that last one from Argentina of women standing up for each other as well. We all need to have each other's backs.
Load More Replies...I saved a gril once in a similar situation. I was the only person in sight and thought to myself: oh well, he is one, we are two, which means 20 fingernails. We got this. I still hand out with that gril from time to time, been a few years already.
I think it's a damn shame that women, in the 21st century, are still facing situations that our prehistoric ancestors must have faced.
It's never going to change, unfortunately you can't weed out evil.
Load More Replies...That last one from danshun83 is a great idea. On the TV mini-series of "The Purge", there was a group of women called the "Matron Saints" who got together on Purge Night specifically to protect other women, stating that the majority of acts of violence that occurred that night happened to women. I'd join that group in a heartbeat.
Nice to know there are thoughtful people out there who recognise when someone is in a potentially dangerous situation and act, instead of ignoring it. With all the supposed sexist "insult," if a guy so much as holds a door open for a prickly feminist, I hope no-one (male or female) would be anything other than grateful for a stranger helping out when they are alone and having difficulties.
I've done this and similar things many times. Being 6'2", 240 lbs is a big advantage. Often it just means standing between the aggressor and victim or just saying, "Hey, long time no see!" with a big smile. I can still picture the thankful smiles I received as my reward.
Thank you for saying "people" and not just "men". As a woman, I love the idea of that last one from Argentina of women standing up for each other as well. We all need to have each other's backs.
Load More Replies...I saved a gril once in a similar situation. I was the only person in sight and thought to myself: oh well, he is one, we are two, which means 20 fingernails. We got this. I still hand out with that gril from time to time, been a few years already.
I think it's a damn shame that women, in the 21st century, are still facing situations that our prehistoric ancestors must have faced.
It's never going to change, unfortunately you can't weed out evil.
Load More Replies...That last one from danshun83 is a great idea. On the TV mini-series of "The Purge", there was a group of women called the "Matron Saints" who got together on Purge Night specifically to protect other women, stating that the majority of acts of violence that occurred that night happened to women. I'd join that group in a heartbeat.
Nice to know there are thoughtful people out there who recognise when someone is in a potentially dangerous situation and act, instead of ignoring it. With all the supposed sexist "insult," if a guy so much as holds a door open for a prickly feminist, I hope no-one (male or female) would be anything other than grateful for a stranger helping out when they are alone and having difficulties.














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