This is what I did pretty often: I held my phone to my ear and said things like: "Yes I am just passing xy (wherever you are), you should see me in a moment, Igor (some very male name)." Depending on the situation I looked a bit around, "what direction are you coming from, honey?" Sometimes I even went on: "Are the dogs with you? Did they behave?" or "How was Training, did you beat the guy up?" When I was a teen I went to self-defence-training and tried to never walk alone in the dark or lonely places. Also helpful is a special women's alarm you can stick to your purse and can set off in a bad situation, they make incredible noise. If there are other people around: go to them, tell them you're being followed / uncomfortable.

If you ever feel unsafe, don't isolate yourself. Go into a store or any place with a lot of people. If there is no police or employee to approach, go up to an adult woman. If someone tries to isolate you (like get you into their car, or into an alley, etc) fight hard and then run to a public place. If someone has you in a car, grab the wheel and cause an accident (fender bender). Read 'The Gift of Fear'. Walk confidently, but keep both eyes open.

Uncommon Boston

Uncommon Boston

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If you must face someone threatening, ask for help. What time is it? Never ask for directions. "Do you think it will rain? I heard too many weather predictions and am confused." I start talking fast in a friendly, but stressed way, "I am so glad to see you, I think I am late, but I can't read my watch without reading glasses. Do you know what time it is? I can't be late!!!" Big scary guy was absolutely shocked when I said I was happy to see him. Never act afraid, ignore their threatening body language, stand tall, look them straight in the eye, say hello or knod. Acknowledge you see them. Be nice...

Carry a personal attack alarm, they are really easy to activate and they are really, really loud. If you think you are being followed go into any shop and speak to the person on the till. If you are in anyway unsure always call a trusted adult in your life to come and get you.

Pick out a couple if you can and approach them loudly saying, "There you guys are." or something similar and use your eyes to express your concern. I've been approached when with a gf a couple of times and we both picked up on it right away.

YOU DO NOT OWE ANYONE ANYTHING. If you are getting weird vibes, trust that. You can be rude, you can yell loud. The worst thing that will happen is looking a bit off to people around you, best thing is it can save you. When a police officer puts on lights to pull over, you can go to a more public space and explain why. If someone comes up and asks you for help, look behind you, it might be a distraction so someone can grab you from the back. Once COVID has calmed down see about taking basic self-defense classes, a lot of them are free (in the states and Canada). Keep those moves simple. Go for a knee, eyes, ears, they are expecting you to go for the balls. https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/self-defense-tips-escape#8-moves-to-try

I would recommend, just as Mimi says, to act like you have a male waiting for you. Although this is pretty sexist, people are more likely to back down if they realize you have a male accomplice expecting you. If possible, go to an area where lots of people gather and attempt to lose them in the swarm. If there is something distinctive that you are wearing, such as a jacket, take it off so it will be even harder to find you again. I grew up in Chicago, and whenever I would walk alone at night, I always carried a keychain that was a collection of disguised self-defense weapons. These are pretty common and you can find one in Walgreens. It contains pepper spray and has at least one pointy object. If you're genuinely terrified, I would recommend self defense classes, which is what I did. I took karate for a long time, and it was extremely helpful to know at least some of it in these situations if they ever had you cornered.

Uncommon Boston

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I taught my son to stand tall, look people in the eye, and nod. He was just a kid, but adults usually nodded back. I let him walk alone where we vacationed every year, because of this. His confidence showed. My sister-in-laws decided their children could walk alone too. I saw them once, my son in front, acknowledging everyone walking toward them. The others walked behind him, clearly afraid. People who acknowledged him smiled at the absurdity, he rolled his eyes. No fear. Street smarts

This is from a 5' woman who might look vunerable. Stand tall and act like you can totally take care of yourself. Make them think (at 1st glance) you are a self defense expert/ or you have a weapon. Always be aware of your surroundings, when being followed find other people, a store- find a clerk ask to call security. I also one time asked the meanest looking man in the store (big biker dude) to walk me to my car, he was a really nice guy and more than happy to help.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned it, but I’ve read it on a TikTok post, carry a small aerosol can of hairspray. Some states don’t allow possession of mace or pepper spray. Get hairspray it works just as good. Find a mom or another woman and engage conversation with her, but add-in in a low tone, I think I’m being followed. Hopefully they’re not dense and they can help you. Situational awareness. Pay attention to who is around you at all times. Make that eye contact and note what your folllwer is wearing. Report them, don’t be afraid to.

hey, teen here! I think a good thing to do, is to walk up to a group of teenagers or people that look your age. Bonus points if there's a lot of dudes that look strong. I feel like as a teen, we pick up on some social cues easier than some random person, and if there's a lot of people and you're talking in a stressed manner, at LEAST one of them will pick up on what you're trying to convey. I know this may seem a bit overkill, but I have really bad anxiety so I just do it anyways, but I always keep a pen and paper on me. I do this 1) to doodle on as a stress reliever, and 2) as a silent thing to try to get out of an uncomfortable situation. You should remain calm in these kinds of situations, and if I was in this, the most I'd be able to get out would be "Hi I think you're cute, here's my number" without bursting into tears. I wouldn't put my number obviously, I'd put like "hey could I stay with you for a bit, I think I'm being followed" or smth, to excuse my nervous behavior.

Your voice! My uncle taught us a high pitched brrrr that I can't possible describe here, but a scream will do and it's always handy, not buried in your purse like a whistle would be.

Okay, the first thing to do at that young age is to internalize that you are, in fact, strong, and no one can harm you. Walk taller when you're feeling threatened, clench your muscles and look dangerous. I'm of the opinion that weapons can help with this as well. I'm talking about dual use items like knives up to a certain length. Do not bring a spear. People will be terrified.

Any given tactic may not work on all people, always be ready to try another one. - Avoid going alone in "dodgy" places, especially at times when people may be drunk. - Always bring your phone; call a parent, a friend, (or even the police if you are certain you are being followed). - Sometimes people are just being idiots (especially teens), if people are threatening you the are times where walking straight past them as if they do not exist may be the best option, but if in doubt, call for help.

Always be with someone and never go alone or park far from the entrance. They hide between cars.

you should look up knife laws where you live! even the blade on a multitool or pocketknife could be enough in an emergency. i grabbed a pretty good folding knife for five bucks before christmas, just to keep in my bag or in a pocket when i go out, even though i'm in a pretty safe area. just be aware that regardless of other laws, schools and other places like hospitals don't generally permit knives of any sort. you could also look on youtube for self-defense stuff, ways to escape if someone grabs you, that kind of thing. but that's all defensive, the other two comments here definitely are more preventative than mine (although if someone sees that you have a knife in your hand it could easily dissuade them). stay safe!

The key trick, only use them like a set of brass knuckles if you are facing your attacker. If he is behind you and following you it's better to take your largest key and orient it in your fist like you would a knife with the part you put in the lock sticking out the opposite side of your hand from your thumb. This way when/if he grabs you from behind you can use it to stab him in the thigh. Don't just do it once either, keep doing it until he lets go then RUN! And don't look back, looking back only slows you down.

Shouting "Fire! Fire!" will generally attract more potential assistance than shouting "Help!" Or, yell out what is happening as well, i.e. "Help! I am being followed, i don't know this person, call the police!"

Uncommon Boston

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But we do. Fact of life.

We (women) also should not have to live in "fear", but we do. Crowded bus, train, expect to get groped at the least. Walking down a crowded sidewalk, groped again.

That's true, but as long as things like this keep happening, we should be ready to defend ourselves.

There was a time when men felt the need to protect women. They also felt the need to own all the houses, stuff and have bank accounts. We couldn't even have bank accounts, or vote for President. We have come so far!

Yea, women are invincible! What’s the problem?

Its the bystander effect. You may speak to a specific someone in the crowd like, hey you with the green shirt and beard, I need help! Maybe the person won't come up to you but calls 911 for you. Speaking to someone in the crowd directly makes them feel more responsible and they are more likely to take action.

Wow you handled this situation well, you observing and stepping in probably saved this woman from a traumatic experience. -But why are you all downvoting me? I think yagi-chan did a good job stepping in and helping a stranger -don't you think so?

@Vicky Zar well same here, just Frankfurt and Berlin in my 20s instead of Hamburg. I frequently experienced it and still do as well as my friends. So what are you trying to proof? That all the women are lying? That it's their fault?

I am a woman and I lived in Hamburg in my 20s. I have never felt like what I read online. I lived there on my own and I went to Parties and such alone too. In the subway and on foot. I think I am in a position to asses the situation in my country.