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As a woman, you sometimes notice how some people don’t get it. You just don’t approach a woman pumping gas at a station minding her business, especially when its dark. Similarly, you never try to pick up a woman at a gym who’s clearly busy exercising.

And in any occasion, you do not expect an explanation why a woman doesn’t want to talk to you. There’s no ‘why’ and ‘how,’ because every individual has a right to ‘just be’ and to keep to themselves ‘just because.’

Frustratingly, not everyone realizes that. Recently, Redditor Metallicmuffin asked women “What things do men do that frighten you without them even realizing it?” and the thread hit close to home for many people. The stories started rolling in, each one more eyebrow-raising than the one before it, making the thread go viral with 35.6k upvotes and 16.3k comments.

#1

Women Share 30 Times Men Came Across As Creeps Without Realizing It Standing too close. How do you know if it's too close? I'll back up half a step, DON'T match it.

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Something
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In general, different people have different comfortable distances (often based on the culture they come from), and if someone subtly moves away from you, it's usually because you're in their space.

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One Redditor who goes by the nickname Several-Stable-9051 shared how “wanting to take me somewhere isolated to be just the two of us on the first date” makes her feel very uncomfortable. In a post shared in response to this bread, the woman wrote: “It’s okay if we’ve been hanging out for a while, but not if it’s the first time I see you in person. Whenever this happens I come up with an excuse not to go. I just don’t feel safe since I barely know the other person, but the worst part is when they try so hard to convince me to go with them.”

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#2

Demanding justification for every no, and when it's given, arguing about how my reasons aren't valid.

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#3

Women Share 30 Times Men Came Across As Creeps Without Realizing It Not taking no for an answer. Especially when they pretend to be jokey about it but you can clearly tell they’re kind of pissed…if that makes sense.

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Jan Eivroc
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope they understand that the word 'no' in itself is a complete sentence.

Julie C Rose
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The fact that they aren’t accepting ANY kind of “no” is OP’s whole point.

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Christina Gomez
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh Lord, this. When I was younger and turned a guy down nicely, they keep trying until they realized it wasn't going happen. Then I was a b***h for "taking advantage of them" even they said they were ok with just being friends. I often offered to pay my own way, sometimes insisting multiple times. I'm a lot more straight forward now, and get called a b***h for not giving them a chance.

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Colin L
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

FFS guys, "no" is an answer and "stop" is an order. And silence doesn't mean acceptance: check in if you're not sure. Even with partners you've been with for a while... ignoring "no" doesn't mean you're confident, but exactly the opposite!

Hooked
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm kinda experiencing this at the moment. After being single for 8 years, and children all grown up and on their own, I entered the world of (online) dating again. If a guy I'm chatting/(video) calling with, keeps making these sexually suggestive comments, how little and "innocent" they might be, I don't feel comfortable to meet them f2f anymore. I always state in the chats, in a very early fase, that I prefer to discuss these subjects later on, at least after we met IRL, but not at the beginning of the contact, but they do it anyway. I've never been a prude, or afraid to join in on those conversations before but lately it makes me very very uncomfortable. Why is it so hard for them to NOT make these remarks until we have established some sort of connection other than random chatting ? EDIT : typo

JB
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Boundaries! You set them, he’s crossed them. You don’t have to chat with anyone who makes you uncomfortable (except your kids if they’re being daft 😉).

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Who Panda 420
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have had more than one creep when I told them I have a boyfriend they said to me so what does your boyfriend have to do with me and you? What kind of creepy person says that and I swear I've been told that by at least four people.

Lainie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yuck, can confirm that. What is wrong with them? That excuse was always safe for me otherwise. It's like they don't get it anymore.

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Wysteria_Rose
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even with a smile and acting aloof about it, when I say "no," it's because I mean it. If I say it with a smile, it means I'm trying to not sound mean about it. That was not respected before. From now on, being alive and unhurt is better than being polite. Screw it if they get pissed. The alternatives are much worse. I've had more than one guy hear "no" and took it as a challenge.

BadCat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This goes for anyone else, including healthcare staff, our jobs, family, etc.

Ian Bartels
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate that this happens to women. Every guy is going to get denied at some point (accept maybe Duke Hill) and that's fine! I've never understood why guys think that it's going to work by starting off a date by being pushy.

Lonely Tentacle
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can we just talk about how "no" has different forms as well? Because some people might understand a very clear "no", but not other forms of it, like "I'm not interested", or "stop", or even polite Nos, like "No thank you", sometimes you just have to be rude with your no to get it acknowledged, and it's really tiring. Saying no shouldn't have to be THAT draining...

Stacey Rae
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had this happen a few weeks back. I was on crutches and he was moving so close to me I almost fell backwards. Would not take no for an answer. As soon as I was away from him I texted his telling him to not contact me and that I was not interested in him.

Trisha Howson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That when I tell them to go f**k off and walk away I don't care if they get pissed off you touch me and you best believe your gonna get what coming to you

Sandi Martinez
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just a week ago I rejected a guy. He got mad, and "got back at me" by stealing my prescription glasses.

Michael Largey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some men tell themselves "She's the type of woman who says No when she means Yes." Guy, if she really does operate like that, that "no" you got is the answer you really should want.

CatWoman312
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And when we end up having to yell or make a scene to get our point across. 😒

Dan Tom
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They Know they are being creepy. That's why they get mad cause you saw the creeper through the joke.

Cathy Hurd
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It makes sense to every woman that's been there, which is virtually every woman

Celtic Pirate Queen
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fragile little man/boy egos that can't handle rejection. You know somewhere there's a Mom who made him believe he deserved everything he ever wanted - including you.

john gentile
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2 years ago

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Mtg Wolfie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again, ADHD. If I insist on something, ANYTHING, its not me trying to be creepy. I'm genuinely hyper excited for you to try it. But I get it. I described myself above, but I know I'm intimidating. So I stopped offering to "come with" or "to show". The only time I offer anything like that is when its a dangerous place to be. "There's mountain lions around here. I'll drive ahead, follow, and I'll watch you until you get inside". I promise, its for safety.

Matthew Goss
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I only dated and married one woman, however, I have heard from many females that they say "no" to guys just to see if they will pursue them anyway. So, guys have been taught, "no means no, unless I didn't want it to mean no, then it means try harder."

josh singer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So he took no for an answer and was pissed about it? Or didn't take no for an answer, then joked with you about it while being mad and presumably committing some sort of sex crime?

Charles Williams
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2 years ago

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But, women do the same thing. When are going to see the list of women being creepy? We won't because if a woman does it, it's cute. If a man does it, it's creepy.

Dave
Community Member
2 years ago

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On the other hand, some women get pissy when they say no and the guy actually respects the said NO and walks away. Then they complain, that the guy did not try hard enough, hence by their idiotic logic, he does not deserve their attention anyway and the guy does "not care enough" to be persistent. That of course is directly related to the fact, how much she actually likes the guy in the first place.

Kelli
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not one woman I have ever in my entire 56 years on this earth has ever ever said that.

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We reached out to Several-Stable-9051 who shared some insights into what men’s behavior makes her and fellow women feel vulnerable, threatened, and uncomfortable. “Being in an isolated place with someone you see for the first time is very risky for your own safety. You can chat with that person and think, from the way that they text you, that they’re the sweetest and kindest soul you’ve ever met. However, in real life, they might unexpectedly turn out to be a dangerous and frightening person.”

#4

Joking about r*pe. Just makes me think you have r*pe on the brain.

I met a couple dudes at a bar who invited me and my friend to a party they were headed to. We were trying to find a polite way to turn them down when one said, "Don't worry, we're not going to r*pe you. Ha, ha!" We turned him down flat, and not kindly (thankfully we were next to the bouncer) and his friend said, "dude! What the f**k is wrong with you?!" My question too.

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#5

Women Share 30 Times Men Came Across As Creeps Without Realizing It Pushing my wheelchair to "help" me and be a "gentleman". You're literally abducting me - it's no different from my perspective that you picking up an able-bodied woman and running off with her.

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#6

Women Share 30 Times Men Came Across As Creeps Without Realizing It Going to the bar to get you a drink without you there to watch the bartender pour it. If I don't know you well, I won't accept a drink from your hands... Ever. Straight from the bartender to me.

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Jason Melvil
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's absolutely disgusting that women have to think like that. 100% understandable considering the creeps out there. Just horrible that the situation even exists.

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This is because social media doesn’t represent reality, Several-Stable-9051 argues. “Very often we hear on the news hundreds of stories about people getting beaten, robbed, kidnapped, raped or even killed by someone they knew online and thought to be trustworthy,” she explained and added that “sadly, the majority of these victims are women.”

#7

Women Share 30 Times Men Came Across As Creeps Without Realizing It Oh god I had one of these guys, he “opened” the train door for me to get off (it opens automatically) and so I said “thanks”. Apparently he took that as an invitation, because he then followed me through the station trying to talk to me. I was polite but dismissive. He was creeping me out so I stopped to top up my metro card even though I didn’t need to. He stopped and waited for me. I pretended I didn’t see him.

He then followed me out of the station asking me where I lived (I lied) and then asked me if I had a boyfriend (I said yes). He then asked if I had Facebook (I didn’t answer) and then asked me if my boyfriend had my Facebook password?? He then told me “you don’t need to be scared of me, I just want to be friends.”

By this stage I was fully freaked and was texting my boyfriend about it. I didn’t want to go to my bus stop in case he followed me home, so I walked to the most populated street I could find, still ignoring him while he followed me. Eventually I went into a supermarket and thankfully lost him.

I have never spoken to a man on a train or at a station ever again. I don’t even make eye contact.

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#8

Women Share 30 Times Men Came Across As Creeps Without Realizing It Blocking the doorway - especially during an argument. Ex did that and would make himself bigger (spreading his arms etc) so I couldn’t leave the room.

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#9

I was late getting my driver’s license and hired a professional driving instructor to help me learn to drive. He was a guy about my age and he was openly hitting on me. It was so uncomfortable. It was just us in the car and I was in such a vulnerable position as a novice driver depending on him for support. I didn’t want him to think I was interested but I also was terrified to be rude to him because he was in control. It was a terrible experience and actually set me back several more years from driver training.

Just need to add as well, since there are presumably men here reading to learn what not to do: learn how to notice hesitation. You’ll never understand the intense pressure to be nice, polite, and even feign some form of interest as a method of self-preservation. It is a survival tactic and it works, just about all of us have gotten out of a volatile situation this way. If a woman is avoiding eye contact, seems to hesitate to answer (especially personal questions), or is agreeing with you a lot without attempting to carry the conversation, she is hoping you’ll leave her alone. Interested women make eye contact, share willingly, and try to joke around or otherwise show their personality. If you’re not sure, tell her you’re going to another location in whatever establishment you’re in (“I’m going to grab a drink/go outside for a smoke/go back to my table”) and invite her to join you. If she comes along, green light. If she takes the out and makes an excuse to leave, you have your answer.

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According to Several-Stable-9051, if she goes somewhere isolated with someone she doesn’t know personally, the chances of getting rescued if something happens are very low. Therefore, as a woman, she feels comfortable in public areas, like bars, “where everyone can hear me and come rescue me in case I need help.”

She also shared a couple of other men’s behavior that makes her very uncomfortable and violated, especially when dating. “Speaking from my own experience, something that makes me really uncomfortable is when the other person tries to touch me without my consent, like rubbing their hands on my thighs or putting their hands on my waist and not removing them even though they notice I’m getting really uncomfortable.”

#10

The way a guy talks about a woman he doesn't find attractive is so unbelievably revealing about who they are as a person. I've been able to witness some of these conversations as I lived with a guy who was like this and it both frightened me and saddened me.

Just because someone is not desirable to you, it does not make them less of a human being. They are as deserving of respect as everyone else.

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Something
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone who doesn't respect anyone they're not attracted to doesn't respect the people they're attracted to either.

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#11

Women Share 30 Times Men Came Across As Creeps Without Realizing It Not going away when I have made it abundantly clear that I am not interested.

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Jan Eivroc
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My experience was the person didn't just not go way. He literally chased me wherever I go that it gave me a panic attack.

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#12

Women Share 30 Times Men Came Across As Creeps Without Realizing It Wanting to take me somewhere isolated to be just the two of us on the first date. It’s okay if we’ve been hanging out for a while, but not if it’s the first time I see you in person. Whenever this happens I come up with an excuse not to go. I just don’t feel safe since I barely know the other person, but the worst part is when they try so hard to convince me to go with them. This makes me feel more and more uncomfortable.

Edit: ooookay I’ve read some of your comments and I think I have to clarify some things. What I intended was that I make up an excuse not to go to THAT specific isolated place, which means that I actually go to dates and propose to go to public places instead. I’ve never ghosted anyone and I’ve tried to tell truth and make the other person understand that I didn’t feel comfortable. Something I’ve been told many times is: “What do you mean by "I don't feel comfortable"? Do you think I'm a crazy psychopath who rapes or kills people? Come on don't say nonsense, let's go, get in the car.” I mean, is this supposed to make me feel safe? By the way they react it seems like I’m offending them, which is clearly not my intention. That’s why I started making up excuses, because they stop insisting only when they know that something bigger is preventing me from going. I’m fully aware of the fact that not everyone has bad intentions, but it’s not something I can understand immediately the first time I hang out with someone. Besides I don’t blame those who are simply clueless. My comment was just sharing a personal experience, not a general attack on men, and you can tell by the fact that I used “they” and “the other person” instead of “he”. Both men and women can experience this kind of things, and I welcome everyone’s story.
For those who commented using not very kind words, please stop trying to make me look like I’m just a paranoid woman who can’t tell the truth. And thanks to those who shared their experiences and opinions under what is one of my first comments here, I really appreciated all these interactions! Stay safe y’all!

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Deborah B
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would *any* woman meet a man for the first time anywhere *except* a public place with lots of people? It's a basic safety precaution.

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According to Redditor, boundaries are essential, and every single person must respect them. “Also, if they don’t take no for an answer, that makes me feel not only uncomfortable but absolutely terrified,” she added. “What I want everyone who does that to know is this: if you’re aware of the fact that you’re making the other person uncomfortable with your actions and you keep on behaving like that and do absolutely nothing to improve the situation, then you are a bad person to be absolutely avoided,” the woman said. 

#13

Women Share 30 Times Men Came Across As Creeps Without Realizing It Years ago I went out with this dude and during snacks and a drink, it was pretty clear we weren't a good match. I politely turned down another round and thanked him. I put my bag over my shoulder and began walking to the bar to pay. Not more than two steps from the table the dude YANKS my purse strap and says

"what no hug?"

Really taken aback, I hugged him and shuffled quickly to pay and get out of there. As I was paying I explained to the waitress whom I knew from another job that the dude was super creepy and asked if I could sneak down the back stairs. She let me go through and I rushed down the backstairs and then outside to my car. Breathing a deep sigh I got out of the parking lot and at the first red light at the corner where the restaurant was....was the creepy dude crossing the street. Without any hint of emotion, he whipped out a pen and wrote my licence plate down on his hand. Never saw him again, that I know of.

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#14

Women Share 30 Times Men Came Across As Creeps Without Realizing It Sitting right next to me when I don’t know you and there are plenty of other seats available.

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Groundcontroltomajortom
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's like you become aware of every movement, every breath, every sound until they move. My whole body tenses up.

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#15

When I was at my thinnest (UK 6) a lot of men I might chat / flirt / go on dates with would talk about how they liked how small I was and they’d love to get their hands on me cos they could imagine how light and limber I would be, that they could lift me up, make shapes with my body, throw me around, have lots of fun essentially use my tiny body for their own gratification etc

They would often laugh and joke around in this manner like I should be so flattered cos, y’know, all every woman wants us a big stwong mayn to take a hold of them and just do whatever the f they want, show us how it’s done, right?!

Disgusting, disturbing and often quite scary. Many men just want to (ab)use a woman like a sex doll and expect to be thanked for it

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Sarah Kathrin Matsoukis
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm fat and guys always assume it's okay to be rough because I'm basically a cushion I guess. I hate it, I'm a sensitive person.

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She continued: “However, if you really want to change, then learn to respect boundaries, to ask the other person what makes them feel safe and comfortable, to take no for an answer, and to be understanding. Something that you think is trivial might make the other person feel scared for their own life to the extent that they won’t be able to let you know that.” The woman asks men to “pay attention to the other person’s body and act accordingly. It means a lot, especially for women.”

#16

Women Share 30 Times Men Came Across As Creeps Without Realizing It "I don't know why you're acting so cautious. If I wanted to kill you, I would have already done it."

Said to me by a friend of a friend I was meeting because it was his first time in a foreign country.

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Lousha
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or creeping up behind a girl and scare them, then laugh at how they screamed. Yes I'm sure it's funny to you, but it's a REAL possibility for us to get killed like this.

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#17

My stepfather is constantly commenting on how much my daughter (10 yrs old) is growing into a young woman. Once mentioned how pretty she was in her tank top, and it skeeved me out so bad I had her go change. He noticed and said something along the lines of “oh I hope she didn’t do that because of me” Like, yes, dude, she did 😐

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#18

I'm a bisexual woman. Doesn't matter who I'm talking to, whether it's just a guy I'm getting to know or a guy I've been on a couple of dates with, EVERY ONE makes the "hehe we should have a threesome" joke. It's not funny. It's not cute. It's a violation of my boundaries and an immediate red flag. Automatically I'm on edge.

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S. Mi
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being Bi or Pan or a lesbian (or whatever) is not a party trick for someone else's amusement.

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Several-Stable-9051 also wanted to clarify that even though the question in the thread was addressed to women men can have the same experiences. “That’s why I always used ‘they’ and ‘the other person.’ Under my post, I found comments from men sharing their own experiences, and I want them to know that their stories are as valid as those of women,” she concluded.

#19

This one may be intentional, but it gives me the absolute creeps when men try to squeeze past me and lightly put their hands on me, especially my waist. I hate it. Just say “excuse me.”

Edit: quite a few people have asked clarifying questions, so I’ll give my thoughts on when it’s okay to touch a woman in a crowded area. (1) Try to just go around her another way. (2) If you can’t, say excuse me. (3) If it’s loud or something and that doesn’t work, sometimes touching just can’t be helped. Either just squeeze past if it’s a packed area, or if you have to lay your hands on her, a firm (but not rough) hand on the shoulder or upper back is likely fine. Lightly tickling the lower back or small of the waist is creepy. Usually if you touch a strange man that way, you might be up for an a*s beating. If you wouldn’t willingly touch some big, strange guy that way (mostly looking at you, straight guys), don’t do it to a woman.

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Debbie
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

TBH if I have to squeeze through crowded areas I mostly do touch the backs of people if they don't notice me and gently move past them - and usually it is not the shoulder but halfway the back as that is the natural position of my arm when moving through a crowd.

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#20

Guy here. Never realized that working alone with no-one else in the store - night or day - can potentially be terrifying. I've opened and closed where I was the only employee in the building and not once have I ever felt in any immediate danger. Some folks I suspected being a bit shady but they never gave me any trouble. Not once did I ever think I could be at significant risk. As a guy, it's just not a thought that ever comes to mind.

I worked for a local business whose owner, 25 years ago, had a man run into his store at around 10am frantically telling him to call the police. Turns out the poor guy went into the adult video store next door and discovered the young female clerk stabbed to death and laying lifeless in a pool of blood on the floor. Details emerged that she was stalked by someone who went to school with her and one day he got fed up with being told "no" and not long after that returned with a knife and killed her. She was lying dead on the floor for at least a half hour before she was discovered... and since adult stores have their windows blocked and doors blocked so no one can see inside, the only way someone could see what happened is they were actually customer who intentionally went inside. Since it was a weekday morning, the store wasn't busy at all.

The case was solved a couple of years ago (after being a nearly 25yo cold case and easily the most high-profile unsolved homicide in our city's history) and I was on shift the day the local news - and cameras - came into my workplace and wanted to speak with my boss. I later learned my boss was the very first person who made the call to 911. He was in the cooler putting an order away and didn't hear the murder take place. My former boss came to Canada from the Middle East about 50 years ago so he's doubt see some s**t over there... and he still ranks this murder as the saddest and most traumatic thing he's personally dealt with.

From day on, he *never* let any staff member work by themselves to close the store again.

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Kathryn Baylis
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see so many stores with only one, sometimes two, people on duty for the entire store. Doing everything from stocking to cashiering, to cleaning up. All by themselves. WTF would happen if someone decides to rob the store at opening or closing? God damn. That is NO way to run a business.

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#21

Women Share 30 Times Men Came Across As Creeps Without Realizing It When men try to show off their “dominance” over you or anyone really. Like when you mention something to a guy about another guy and he goes “I’ll kill anyone who talks to you” it’s quite frightening really.

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#22

Not understanding that a polite decline isn't an invitation just to try harder, and is just that, declining to spend more time with the guy.

I know men complain all the time about how women must be communicating in some bizarre code they can't be expected to understand, but a lot of women have been conditioned by experience to decline a man's invitations or attentions in the most polite, face-saving way possible.

I don't think there is a woman out there who hasn't had a man get really angry and threatening when they, the woman, was just trying to say "thanks but no thanks" and move on.

I am not just talking about getting picked up in a bar or on the street. I am talking about any man anywhere who decides he wants a woman's full attention, or wants to give his opinion (on her appearance, attitude, lack of smiling, whatever), at that moment.

It happens so often that you just want to get away from this guy, but they aren't really noticing your (to you) obvious expressions of wanting to leave, and if you get more explicit, you really don't know what will happen. If you stay, you also don't know what will happen, because they might think you are "leading him on."

It feels like a no-win situation, and one a man could use as an excuse (either way) to verbally or physically attack you.

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Kathryn Baylis
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s like what part of “NO” do you not understand? No means no means NO! We’re even nice about it, at first, and add “Thank you”, FFS. Learn to read the signals, guys. And get your head out of your fantasy world. Real life is not like porn. Women are not going to just fall in bed with you without thoroughly vetting you first. By “vetting”, I mean making sure you’re compatible, you’re not a creep or potential stalker, you’re not abusive, you’re mature, etc, and especially whether the two of you have a good vibe going. If it’s just not there, it’s just not there. Do as we do after we turn you down——GET OVER IT AND MOVE ON! There’s someone for everyone, so just work on bettering yourself and keep looking until you find them. Cripes, it’s not rocket science.

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#23

I'm a guy, but I've been told by women that me raising my voice has been very frightening/triggering.

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dee dee
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh man, this. If you're a guy, and start yelling, no matter the context, I will start crying. It triggers the scared 6 year old inside of me who was terrified of my father, and I can't handle it. Even talking loudly puts me in defensive mode. I hate yelling and screaming in general, but a man doing it is terrifying. EDIT: wow this has blown up. I didn't realise so many women felt like this and it makes me sad. However I am awed by everyone's reaching out and reacting. I wish you all strenght and good things, and kindness.

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#24

Someone saying "where's my hug?" or otherwise trying to imply that they are owed physical contact.

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#25

Women Share 30 Times Men Came Across As Creeps Without Realizing It Asking personal questions that have nothing to do with why you are communicating in the first place. Example: getting my muffler welded and being asked by the welder "where do you live? How long have you lived there? Do you have roommates or is it just you?" And about thirty more personal and invasive questions.

So. F*****g. Uncomfortable.

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#26

Women Share 30 Times Men Came Across As Creeps Without Realizing It Hovering. Don’t hover behind me. That’s one of the very few things that makes me nervous.

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BadCat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was in IKEA trying to get a cart where they're kept. I had to go far into the barred area, when I backed up I immediately bumped into someone. It was this old, very tall guy just standing there with a grimace and staring down at me. I told him excuse me but he didn't even move for me. He expected me to somehow manuever around him. This s**t happens so often. One old, fat guy even nearly sat on me on the bus because he wanted the seat. I got up just in time but he sat on a corner of my skirt pulling it down. Creep.

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#27

Women Share 30 Times Men Came Across As Creeps Without Realizing It It's not frightening, per se, but it definitely makes me wary because it could lead to situations that *are* frightening...

When talking to a guy, he's super pushy. Like, asking for pics of this and that (and *that*) and even saying no, they're stilly pushy... all that makes me do is not want to meet him. If he's THIS pushy via text/messaging, how pushy is he going to be in person? If he can't take no NOW, what are the odds he can take no in person?

​

I once had a guy DEMAND that I rank my sexual partners. I told him no. I told him "I can't and I won't." Dude flew off the digital handle. I blocked him right then.

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#28

Women Share 30 Times Men Came Across As Creeps Without Realizing It Pretending we’re deeper friends than we are, being overly familiar and then acting like they have a “right” to you. Had a guy do this in college. When I told him he didn’t get to dictate who I talk to, he spit his drink in my face. I barely knew him!

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#29

Women Share 30 Times Men Came Across As Creeps Without Realizing It Telling me things they would do to me if I didn't have a husband. Being out somewhere and them not letting me leave, not taking no for an answer, telling me that they drive by my home to see if I'm there.

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#30

"Idk why you're so nervous. It's not like I'm going to rape you... if I wanted to do that there's nothing you could do to stop me anyways"

UH. the thought hadn't crossed my mind until YOU brought it up unprovoked. FOUR TIMES.

Edit[copied from another comment I made further down to give context to the situation]

Hung out with a guy I knew from back in high-school that I hadn't seen in years. He is physically about 4 times my size and was acting a little strange. [Trying to touch me/ invade my personal space even after i had made it clear i wasn't interested in anything more than friendship] I was nervous and shaking like a leaf trying to figure out how to gently extract myself from the situation. What scared me more than anything was him saying things like " idk why you're so nervous.. it's not like I'm going to rape you"

I thought even though he was overly enthusiastic that I would be safe until he brought up how he - wasnt- going to rape me 4 times. Obviously it made me feel like he must have been considering it :/ thank God I got out of that one safely

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Agent 8433599
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even if it is meant to be comforting, it comes across as threatening and creepy

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#31

Women Share 30 Times Men Came Across As Creeps Without Realizing It A guy I’m seeing took me out to a baseball game for our first date. It was nice, I didn’t get any weird vibes from him at all. After the game, he asked if I wanted to go see some of the spots he likes to go walking. I didn’t think much about it until we got there and i realized he was basically taking me to the woods in the dark. He told me to follow him and I’m thinking I’m about to get killed but it turns out he just wanted to show me his favorite place to go on walks and chill because you can see the entire city from there and at night it looks really pretty. He took me to a couple more trails that night and I ended up having a great time and forgot that it’s pitch black outside and I’m with a guy I’ve never gone out with before out in nature. Definitely thought I was going to get killed at first though.

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Lousha
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had a friend when I was in uni who used to drive me crazy with her dating habits. She regularly told me about meeting this guy she met on the internet on top of a hill (hiking trail) for the first time etc. No amount of cautioning convinced her to think before doing stuff like that. There was one time that ended well but still gives me the creeps after so many years. She met the guy in the town center, as I asked. Then this guy she met 5 minutes ago asks if she'd like to see his favourite spots. So without question she goes into a dark parking lot with him. Hops into a car with a stranger three times her size. Not telling anyone what she's about to do, not asking the guy where exactly are they going. Then they leave town. At that point she started to get nervous. It was getting dark, and they are out in the middle of nowhere. The guy is not talking like at all. She still wouldn't just grab her phone and at least text someone. Then the guy pulls over and stops the car, then gets out and

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#32

Call me nicknames like “sweetheart” or “baby girl” when I’ve never met them before.

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Bex
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, this one!! When I was doing online dating that was an immediate red flag for me. Any message (especially the first one) that called me anything like that got an immediate block. Don't use affectionate terms with me, that implies you already think of me as yours in some way.

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#33

Joking about how easy it would be to overpower us. On more than one occasion I’ve had male friends joke about how easy it would be to pick me up or restrain me or another woman. It’s not funny, it’s creepy.

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If that’s your fantasy, the majority of us do NOT want to hear about it. This is real life, with real people, not porn fantasy fiction. The majority of women do not like dirty talk, we do not like to hear your deepest darkest fantasies, and we do not like to be aggressively pursued. Back off, calm down, get real.

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#34

Please don't talk to or approach a woman pumping gas, especially at night. I'm sure the moon does look amazing but I am not interested right now. Gas stations are creepy enough without having to make small talk with a stranger. This goes for parking lots at night as well.

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s one thing to say something like “Nice night, isn’t it?” as you’re walking to your car—-and you keep on walking to your car, get in it, and drive off! It’s another to approach us and stick around trying to talk to us when we’re maiming it VERy obvious we don’t want to talk to you. Take the goddamned hint and leave us alone!

#35

Getting angry at other drivers and then driving very aggressively

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#36

Invading my space. I used a massage chair a few weeks ago at the gym, and it’s one of the newer models that will lift you and bring you to a reclined position about three feet off the ground (I’m 5’1 so for some that may not seem too high, but for me it’s pretty elevated feeling. There was this man who walked into the room, kept looking at me, and tapped me to ask me my name and tell me I was “pretty.” I had headphones in, my eyes were shut, and I CLEARLY was not wanting to engage with anyone. Flashed him my engagement ring (my fiancé wasn’t at the gym at the time) and told him my fiancé was coming to join me. Never saw a man book it so hard.

It’s so frustrating that no matter who CLEAR you are trying to make the fact you are a woman who is not interested in talking to people it’s not respected. Until you insinuate a more masculine partner is present.

May have been intentional there, but I feel like a lot of times invasion of space can be unintentional.

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Was on a flight, headphones on my ears watching the in flight movie. I was in a window seat, and there was an empty seat between me and the passenger on the aisle. That passenger, a man, ignores the headphones and me looking at the movie screen, and tries to strike up a conversation. When he tapped my arm to get my attention, I looked at him and pointed to the headphones—-a pretty clear indication I was watching the movie and not listening. He ignored that too, and just started talking louder. FFS! When the flight attendant came down the aisle, I made eye contact with him (making my eyes really big so he could see I was in need of help), and kind of tilted my head toward the guy who was still very actively bugging me. Flight attendant shut him down so completely, he didn’t say another word the rest of the flight. I nodded and smiled at the flight attendant at the time, and thanked him when I was getting off the plane—-I had stayed in my seat to make sure the a*****e left first.

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#37

Women Share 30 Times Men Came Across As Creeps Without Realizing It Pick me up. I'm short and have a slight build. It's not that I'm scared of them trying to prove how strong they are, I'm just terrified of being dropped.

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October
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This. My cousin has stunted growth. Now well into her fifties she's still about half the size of the average adult. Random men will just lift her up, twirl her round and set her back on her feet...

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#38

Women Share 30 Times Men Came Across As Creeps Without Realizing It Guy who I sometimes see at work, has at least 20 years on me, f*****g pulled my ponytail to "say hi" one time. So shocked that I just smiled awkwardly and didn't say anything. Like what world are you living in that you think that's okay??

Edit: This got kinda big. Some more details -- I was able to talk to him later that day about how that wasn't acceptable and to not do anything like it in the future. He actually took it pretty well and has been fine to work with since. In this case, since there was no escalation, and I know my boss and other coworkers have my back, I didn't feel the need to do anything further. While some people have good intentions and don't know their behavior is out of line--those actions still cause hurt. Personally, as long as the person is able to acknowledge that hurt and do better moving forward, I'm good with them. Malicious predators are a different story. It can be hard to tell the difference in some situations. Y'all be careful out there.

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Kathryn Baylis
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Believe it or not, this isn’t even a new issue. I’m 61, and that wasn’t acceptable to me even when I was a teenager in the seventies! However, I did notice that a lot of men much older than me—-and married, for f**k’s sake!—-didn’t think it was a big deal, because they’d always been allowed to get a way with it—-because women didn’t have the support network of strong women and woke men around them back in the day to call them out for it. The smarter ones either knew better from the get go, or at least learned not to do it. The idiots never learned, and never thought they were in the wrong. You may think your Grandpa or Great Grandpa is a sweet man, but there’s a really good chance he was one of the creepy older married men bugging younger women, back in the day, in so many ways that are absolutely NOT acceptable now.

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#39

When I was in the navy 20 years ago a warrant officer asked me to shut the door to his office. After I did he said, “I could have my way with you on that couch right now and no one would believe you. The CO and XO are wrapped around my pinky and I would deny everything.” my mouth dropped and then he cracked up laughing and said he was joking. It scared me because he legit had that power. He was a good ol’ boy.

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#40

First date, didn't really know him. Comes to my apartment to pick me up, invite him in and he proceeds to tell me how he is going to rearrange the furniture when he moves in.

Back in the 70's I always picked up hitch hikers, picked up this guy, he gets in then looks at me and says "you know you should really be careful about who you pick up".

Guy I was living with:"I know you will never leave me because you can't out run a bullet".

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Joe Reaves
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The hitch hiker was right, but he seriously needs to work on his timing!

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#41

Flirt with me in front of their SO.

99% of the time she's going to get mad at ME, not him. I've had women threaten me and/or my family/job/other stuff because their man tried to get my number or complimented me in front of her.

I don't WANT him, leave me alone!

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El Dee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In this situation the women are the biggest AH. If your SO is inappropriate with another woman HE is the problem, take it up with HIM..

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#42

when they emphasize that i DONT need to be frightened of them completely unprompted. no easier way of getting me to be on my guard

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Sarah Kathrin Matsoukis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My bf does this because he was horribly abused as a kid, he's the sweetest guy on earth and is scared of scaring others and sometimes it backfires.

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#43

Women Share 30 Times Men Came Across As Creeps Without Realizing It Being overly familiar with me, in a situation I cannot leave. I used to ride the bus home from work, and my schedule varied very little. This lead to me getting on the same bus at 10:20 at night, at the same stop every night. A man who rode the bus the same times, the same nights, took this as me wanting to be his friend. He immediately started asking me super personal questions; the highlights: "You must live around here because you always get off the bus after me!" "Who are you texting? I wish I could text you!" "Who do you live with?" "You must work at _________ because you always walk from over there!!!!" This is after me telling him I didn't want to talk, and that I didn't want to go out with him. UGH.

​

Edit: Whomever reported me to redditcares, awesome! I don't need that. I don't appreciate it. The situation I mentioned above is being taken care of by the proper authorities, and has been for the last few months, thankfully.

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonder if the person who reported her to redditcares is the guy who was harassing her at the bus stop, thinking he’d be getting some stupid revenge.

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#44

Making unsolicited comments on our bodies. In my opinion this is never welcome unless it’s a compliment from a partner, it just makes me scared and want to run.

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Lousha
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's usually more geared toward a sexual nature when it's aimed at women, but I hate it in any context. I'm a woman, and I used to work with my male partner. One day this customer walks in who was a regular but we weren't friendly, we never had a chat, just a strict transaction and he was gone. This day he walks in, looks at me partner and goes "wow, you've gotten heavier!" And just wouldn't let it go, kept going on and on about how fat he was. (He wasn't, just not as thin as a rake anymore.) I was so angry about it. Who the f*** are you to comment about this? It's none of your business. And I just couldn't fathom what reaction was he hoping for? What could one possible gain by a comment like this?

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#45

Getting my number from someone else and reaching out to start an unsolicited conversation.

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or only is that a breach of your privacy by the a*****e himself, it also a breach of trust in the other person, who did have the decency to check if it was OK with you before giving out your number. I have had this happen to me, and it made me furious enough to loudly and publicly call out both the a*****e calling me AND the person/people who thought it was OK to give out the phone number (and in the case of a guy who stalked me for years until I got married, ex-coworkers at a job I had left telling him where I was working, and that company’s address and phone number!) of a single woman who lived alone!

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#46

Happend few times: I was working late in small market with no one around and when they come in and ask me if Im not scared to be alone. Well, now I am, thanks.

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#47

Making crude jokes/double entendres if I don’t know you that well.

Even worse when it’s in a professional setting.

All you’re going to do is make me feel uncomfortable.

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And be reported to HR for sexual harassment—-AGAIN, since these assholes are usually repeat offenders.

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#48

Insisting I give them my number and then making sure their call comes through before I leave

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Kate Jones
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I understand why women do this but they should stop. If you don't want to give it, just say No. Don't give a fake number just to get them away from you. Say no emphatically. And if they insist, then tell them you're going to insist on getting security or someone to get him away from you if that's what he wants. Stop worrying about being a b***h.

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#49

I walk and today a guy on motorcycle pulled up on me 3x. I mean dude if i dont want to engage, then dont follow, continue to pull over to meet me or whatever

Adding: wanted to add that although my area feels very safe, I dont wanna see any vehicle roll up on me(no shoulder!), because on President's Day, a car rolled up on me, windows came down, airsoft guns came out, and they shot me with rock salt😤

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#50

Sending creepy DMs on Reddit. Seriously dudes....wtf makes you think I'm gonna send you naked pictures of myself?? Immediately BLOCK.

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#51

Using their loud voice when expressing their opinion against your opinion. That is when talking normally they have a certain tone and non aggression in their voice up until you disagree with something they have said and then their voice turns aggressive.

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Shouting me down does NOT mean you won the argument. It just means you’re an A*****E who is dead wrong and loudly doubling down on it.

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#52

Sexual harassment while I'm walking down a street.
I have a very prominent sway to my hips when I walk. It looks like I'm trying to get attention from men but it's just my natural walk.

Despite what men think, I HATE this attention. Don't honk your horn at me...shout disgusting comments...or give me attention in general.

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#53

Had an old man keep passing me at a public park comment about my daughter "there goes my girlfriend". She is 2. And yes, undeniably the cutest, but f**k that. That's just gross.

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S. Mi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And it's gay people who are pushing their orientation onto others, right?

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#54

Men sitting next to you in empty buses. It’s not friendly nor nice, it creeps us out.

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#55

I’m of the male variety. I drive Uber a lot, sometimes up to 12/hrs daily. I treat everyone with respect and will greet them when they enter and confirm their destination. Usually I’m quiet because I’m more introverted and just let the radio play. I started to notice girls would enter their address in their own gps on their phones (one time it started speaking turn by turn directions) until she quickly fumbled and turned it off. I didn’t think much of it but then one time a woman got in the car and she was wearing a sweatshirt from a local festival. We started talking about the festival and how our families go every year etc. when we got to her drop off, she thanked me for talking to her because she said usually she is so anxious in Ubers with male drivers. I honestly had never considered that before, so now I always try to start neutral conversations with woman in the car even if I’m tired.

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Lousha
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly you can't win in this situation. Women or men, some of us prefer to chat, others are more comfortable with silence. It's hard to tell and whatever you do you will make some of your fares uncomfortable. I myself would be very content if my driver would not speak to me after politely greeting me and discuss where I wanted to go. Being a bit on edge simply because he's male and I'm in a moving confined space with him is a given, but as long as he's not doing anything to make that creepy it's something I accept and is not his fault.

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#56

Physical intimidation. Standing too close to me or backing me into a corner and making me feel trapped. It puts me on the defensive so fast.

Edit for clarification: I know some men do this intentionally but many do it unintentionally. Often men don’t realize just how uncomfortable or intimidated they can make women feel with their behavior and body language.

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S. Mi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Used to be a boy in high school who would stand too close when you were in your locker and sort of trap you in it. Not sure if it was intentional, but we need to tell people these things aren't okay (it's been years, I know better now)

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#57

As a woman in the service industry and also in general a lot of men tell me to smile because I’m pretty. It’s something that makes you feel reaaally uncomfortable inside like predatory almost. Sort of like cat calling (but that’s a give in)

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#58

Not accepting no or anything you explicitly outline to them.

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#59

Obviously can’t speak for all women but we generally don’t have a fantasy of “belonging” to someone in a controlling sense. A lot of men can be pretty controlling without even knowing it.

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#60

Holding something sharp in an argument.

Blocking an exit.

Innocently touching me without consent.

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#61

Excessive compliments. One, is enough and sweet, but a couple more in the same setting…creeps me out and makes me uncomfortable…

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Who Panda 420
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel bad that nowadays some guys are scared to even pay a compliment because they're afraid of how it may be taken. To me if it's a respectful compliment and then it's done and over it's fine. But when it becomes excessive and personal it becomes creepy to me.

#62

Calling other girls bitches so casually in conversation like they didn't just drop the biggest red flag

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Kate Jones
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or pussies. When guys call another guy a pussy because he's weak--- because having a pussy makes you weak to them-- it bothers me. I try not to let it because it's just become so standard to say that you almost have to let it go. Even girls say it sometimes. But it's kind of insulting. To some men, being a woman is the worst thing you could be, so it's hurled as a insult to other men. Same with F*g. A guy calls another guy a f*g when he sees him doing something effeminate because- again- being female is the worst thing you can be. It's also why there's a disproportionate hatred of gay men than lesbians.

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#63

When they taunt me about not wanting to have a conversation with them (a stranger).

A recent example that I want to vent about: last week my friend and were smoking outside the bar she works at, and she thought she recognized her male friend.

She quickly realized it wasn't him but it was too late and the stranger came to us and CROUCHED to be at our level (we were sitting on a step) and simply would not take our explanation -that we mistakenly thought he was someone else- for an answer. (Edit: we had already said and signalled to him that it was a mistake, so when he inserted himself in our bubble, I was like "alright there he f****n goes")

For way too long he stayed there and purposefully ignored what we were saying and pretended to not understand, for example, he went "It was a mistake? What do you mean? I don't think anything in life is a mistake." Bla bla bla. He would turn anything we said into a question.

It was infuriating. I tried stating politely that it was a mistake, we apologize and he could go.
I tried shutting him down and saying straight up " can you please just go?" but he just would not budge.
Anyone would have known by our facial expressions and tone of voice that we were not enjoying him being there at all and were seriously wanting him to leave. I ended up just grabbing my friend, we got up and quickly walked back to the bar a few doors down.

As we were walking I heard him say "What, you're scared?"

This stuff happens to me too often. These men get off of making you uncomfortable or knowing they're ruining your fun. I have to get better at ignoring them but god it's so difficult. They don't mind standing 1 foot away from me, talking to me while being ignored, that's easy. But I just want to scream and tell them to f**k off. I'm scared of them, a minute of it feels like 10, I'm scared they could get angry just as they could take my silence for a green flag.

The thoughts that go through my head are incredibly violent whenever this happens.I absolutely despise men who do this, I am an adult human just like you, I deserve the same respect, I deserve not to get bullied by strangers on the street who have never seen me and will never see me again.

Sorry for the rant.

EDIT: The only funny thing about this whole interaction is that my friend and I are fluent in english and french, so after we explained, politely asked him to leave, etc... and he wouldn't budge, I started having a conversation with my friend in french and telling him to f**k off, and insulting him with a deadpan expression. Admittedly that wasn't gonna accomplish anything and it's an a*****e move but it felt good, kind of like reversing the table. HA! Who's talking to a wall NOW hmm?

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#64

When a man asks to come inside my place after a date when it wasn’t planned in advance during the early stages of dating; still getting to know them.

Personally this has happened to me a handful of times. Sometimes the men who do this will insist on picking me up, which - yes - a gentleman will pick up their date from their place; truly appreciated.

When they drop me off afterwards and walk me to my door (which - again - it’s a kind gesture), but then they invite themselves in, I feel trapped.

I’ll invite you over when I’m comfortable.

If they have the courage to invite themselves into my home early-on and spontaneously, what other boundaries of mine will they push? It frightens me.

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Kallen Kneeland
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At some point in history it might have been "gentlemanly" to pick up a 1st date at her home (she probably lived with her parents who'd want to vet him). In THIS day and age, however, it is dangerous and incredibly RUDE to want to know where a 1st date lives before getting to know them better.

#65

Catcalling or harassing pregnant women. I'd heard of it happening but never witnessed it until now. Now that I'm pregnant, I can't move as fast or as well as before and I'm having to worry over not just my safety but my child's too. It's terrifying in a whole new way to have a stranger looming over me and trying to chat me up when my body is contributing to my vulnerability more than ever.

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Lousha
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My Mom had this a lot. She was a pretty and tiny thing with a huge belly every time she was pregnant. She used to be catcalled before from time to time, but not very often. So she was shocked that when she was very visibly pregnant it became an everyday occurrence, in the most vile and disgusting ways. She loved being pregnant but this made it sour for her because she couldn't go anywhere at any time without some perv salivating over her.

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#66

Or…blatantly taking your picture, with their phone, in public. Do they think we don’t notice? Even worse when their aim is clearly directed below your neckline.

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Who Panda 420
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When my mom was younger with my dad some stranger took a picture of her chest. She was big breasted. I said what did dad do? She said he was just amused and proud. My dad was a pig too.

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#67

Commenting on how short or weak I look and explaining how easy it would be to pick me up or overpower me. Do men think I’ll think its sexy when they do this? Probably. Is it extremely concerning and scary? YES.

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Kate Jones
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The fact that this turns men on is such a statement to their own character. It's like guys who always want to be with virgins. That just tells me you're super insecure and need to be with someone who you think you can control. Ugh gross!

#68

Today I was at the corner store buying a bag of chips and cigars. As soon as I walked in, some dude eyed me up and down and kept making "Damnnnn." Remarks at me as I walked to get my bag of chips. I got to the register to pay, he was suddenly behind me and continued making, "God damnnnn" "Mmm" remarks. I couldn't even focus to pay, I entered the wrong pin for my card, my hands were shaking. I was scared and super uncomfortable. He even followed me out and watched me drive away.

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Kate Jones
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes if you confront them...not violently or angrily. Just like "what do you get out of acting this way? What is it you think you are accomplishing? When you grunted just now, you know I could hear you so were you trying to scare me? If so why do you feel the need to scare women are you a rapist? Were you molested as a child? Did your mother not give you hugs? How long have you been following women around? You were too scared to say it directly to me but you wanted me to hear you so have you always been insecure and inferior with women?...." Just keep going and going until they walk away. Talk to them like you're a census taker, like your asking for scientific research. It makes them super uncomfortable and they will walk away. It's a shame you have to do that but I promise if you ever see that guy again he'll not come near you.

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#69

When you get close to me in a conversation, and I take a step back, don’t step forward. I’m trying to get some personal space. I’m making a bubble. Don’t invade my bubble!

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Susan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This applies to everyone! I've had women do this, too. I've even had to keep stepping back and they just keep stepping forward. How does someone not realize the entire conversation has happened while migrating from one side of the room to another?

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#70

Yelling, even when it’s not at me. They could yell at the tv and it triggers my fight or flight.

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Claudia Coulson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why I cannot watch football with my dad. Our sofa is tiny, and he ACTUALLY burst my right eardrum from yelling to loudly. Despite telling him this, he STILL is like 'Oh, come and sit with me and watch the footy!' And forcing me to watch it even though I don't like football. This is why I like my mum more 😅

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#71

Staring for too long. Especially into my eyes if I don't know you. There's nothing more uncomfortable than unwanted staring from a dude you don't know like he can see underneath your clothes. It's a small disturbing thing that can really give me the chills.

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#72

Last night I went clubbing and a guy asked me if I wanted a drink. When I said sure, he said coyly, “we’ll see.” A few minutes later, he left the spot where we were standing and came back with a drink for me. The fact that he didn’t ask me what I wanted and just brought me something he picked out was sketchy af. Also, he was acting like him buying me a drink was transactional and I owed him something in return. Those 2 things made me worried that at best, he was an a*****e and at worst, he spiked it. I didn’t accept the drink and left the club shortly after

Moral of the story: if you’re buying a woman a drink, be considerate enough to ask her what she wants, have her accompany you to the bar and don’t expect anything in return

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#73

Keep on pursuing me when I say no. It makes you seem obsessed. It worries me at what lengths you will go to make me say yes, or if you might possibly do something to any male I'm friends with. Obsession is a scary thing.

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El Dee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Society, films and popular culture makes this worse by making this out to be something that 1st - won't be seen as creepy and 2nd - will work..

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#74

- Thinking “no” is just us flirting and repeatedly trying anyway.

- Crossing the street when we do, and continuing to walk behind us.

- Commenting on how little we are (personally, I’m 5’2”), compared to them.

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#75

Getting angry/lashing out. I've been in situations where I was genuinely afraid for my safety when some dude (my boss at the time - I was 18 and working at a restaurant) started yelling at me after I made a mistake. He started getting up close in my personal space and moving his fist in the air all up in my face. He had to be restrained by one of my male coworkers.
Turns out he was an alcoholic with anger issues, but my point still stands - be careful of your body language when you get mad at someone, especially if you're a big guy. You sometimes don't realize how it can affect the person in front of you, even if you know that you won't hurt them.

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#76

Also, if we’re making out for the first time and they do something aggressive (like…pinning your arms over your head then holding both wrists with one hand, leaving their other hand free).

It can be hot as f**k but if I don’t know you that well there’s a terrifying moment I wonder what I’m in for.

EDIT: I think OP's boyfriend may have hit upon the perfect solution for this (see replies).

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LuckyL
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had to follow the link to find out: "Agreed with all of that. My bf did the arm pinning thing early on but, after he caught my hands, he paused, leaned in close, bit my earlobe and whispered “this ok?”"

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#77

Picking me up and moving me. I’m not very tall and dislike being treated like a doll to move around. Don’t f*****g touch me without my expressed permission.

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#78

Instantly turning hostile when you said no, online or real life.

Calling me antisocial and then insulting me just because I don’t wanna discuss with you, a stranger, how you like eating broccoli. Really?

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Legendteller
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's scary how much a whole situation can change over something so small as broccoli, I'd hate to imagine what would happen over a major issue.

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#79

Anecdote from the wife: waiting to meet at a designated spot near a public space, under a street lamp, but you're wearing your hood up leaned against a wall not acknowledging anyone who passes by.

Told me it was creepy as f**k and was surprised when she texted to see it was in fact me just waiting.

I guess body posture and lighting is a factor. Had literally no idea.

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#80

I was running the other day. Some dude who was standing a few feet in front of me stared at me and started walking quickly toward me while raising an arm.

My gut reaction was that he was about to attack me. Turns out he was just trying to give me a high five.

To him I'm sure there was nothing scary or weird about what he did. But to me it was this random man who was larger than me coming straight at me while getting his arm ready to do something that could have ended badly for me. I don't have the luxury to assume the best case scenario. I will always default to the worst case because in the off chance it IS a worst case I'm more prepared.

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#81

3 years ago I matched with a guy on tinder and agreed to meet up with him. He suggested going to a park and when I got there it was a heavily wooded area with a trail and I stupidly followed him into the trail. We walked around for a while, sat on some rocks, then it started getting dark and we decided to head out but we ended up getting lost and not being able to find the exit and we stumbled upon a grave sized hole in the dirt and at this point it was pitch black and I was thinking it was all a set it up and that I was going to be ambushed. I pointed out the grave sized hole and he seemed scared too so I gave him the benefit of the doubt and stayed quiet. We finally found an exit after about an hour of stumbling in pitch black darkness. We’re still dating to this day and I’ve brought up what a horrible date plan that was, and how it came off the wrong way lol and he said he didn’t realize it at the time. It was a total curb your enthusiasm moment (I was picked up that day so I didn’t have a car with me to back out and drive home, so that was pretty dumb of me too)

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SCP-3998
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do people do this? I mean go to woods they dont know as a first date? Like...even if it has trails, forested areas can be very disorientating if you dont know the area, even moreso at night. Why ANYONE would think it's a good place for a first date, especially at night, is beyond me. Unless you two met on the trails, and know them well, dont go to a forest or wooded trail as a 1st date. Just...don't.

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#82

Coming on way too strong, especially online sometimes.

Or being way too demanding, about stuff at times.

And this one doesn't necessarily frighten me. Just kind of freaks me out. But at work, have had two foreign dudes, just starting at me when we're working. Both have been box builders, and just continuously stare as they make boxes or in the break room. And I don't care how "nice/friendly", people say they are. You don't just non stop gawk at people.

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El Dee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Germany this happens a lot - to everyone. They tend to stare at everyone. Depending on where they're from it may be cultural and not specifically to women. But if that was the case I guess she'd already know..

#83

This dude used to come into The restaurant I was waitressing at and would wear this “Cum & Go” shirt and would offer to buy a bunch of underage girls shots. He didn’t realize he was creepy, you could tell by the way he paraded his friends around with his boom box and play loud a*s music on the patio of the restaurant. Apparently he was a rich prick who donated money to the restaurant all the time.

After I left, I heard a story that he fixated on one of the waitresses that was nice to him, and he would follow her around and to her car. He even bought her a s**t Ton of expensive presents for Christmas which she refused.

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James G. Currie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And no one thought to call the cops? Providing alcohol to minors is Illegal. The restaurant ignoring it can also cause them to loose their permit.

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#84

Approaching while in a car and blocking our path with said car. Happened while I was on a walk so he could have parked, approached on foot, and maintained a respectable distance.

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#86

I haven’t dated in almost a decade and this recent relationship I was in, was the most comfortable one that I thought it was always going to feel comfortable.. until we went on our first date and I tried telling him so many times to stop touching me because I hate physical touch (now realizing I just liked him platonically) and he wouldn’t stop and it really made me feel uncomfortable.. he crossed so many boundaries. I wish I didn’t have to feel like this with someone I considered being in a relationship with. We didn’t even last a whole month.. I didn’t want to see him again. So in short, when they cross boundaries and make me feel weak and worthless.

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#87

Invading my space.

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El Dee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had a male friend who did this to me, and everyone else. We would stand at the bar talking, he would move closer, I'd move back. We'd end up at the other end of the bar. We're not friends anymore..

#88

Push for romantic emotional intimacy when it's inappropriate. I'm trying to be your friend, not your girlfriend. Don't make it weird, it only succeeds in making me uncomfortable and not want to be your friend let alone date you.

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#89

Approaching me at a speed other than a leisurely walk or being overly familiar.

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#90

The only things they say to you (even if not inappropriate) are sexually charged or are inappropriate…

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#91

I get scared when men get aggressive with each other… like I could feel an oncoming fight. Even if’s just a small bicker.

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#92

Anyone making a lot of noise in public wants some kind of attention and I don't always have a good read on what kind.

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