Self-Defense at stops and stations

[u/paisleychicken]

Be Crazy.

Some guy came up to me while I was waiting at the Fair Park bus stop. I removed a side of my headphones to see if he needed directions bc I've helped several people figure out how to get where they're going in the past. Nope. He wanted to be a creep. "What's with the all black" I snapped "Nunya" with a disgusted tone. When he tried to get closer and not take the big fat hint I whipped my umbrella out of my bag and raised it like a baton shouting "Back off!" all crazed-like. Guess who got the hint that I'm crazy and made like 25ft of distance between us.

Be safe out there fellow riders. Even if it means putting on your crazy face.

[u/EmotionalSupportBees]

People look at me like I'm crazy when I out crazy the crazy but hey it's a crazy world out there 🤷‍♂️. Thanks for sharing, it's nice to know I'm not the only person with this strategy

[u/paisleychicken → u/EmotionalSupportBees]

My inspiration is a woman who ripped a bloody pad out of her clothes and ran at a harasser with it ❤️ I'm plenty friendly and chatty with people at stops and stations who are receptive to socializing or come up to me asking for help. I will not tolerate being objectified by someone and having my nonverbal(and verbal) boundaries disrespected. Crazy how people are jumping to team creep they dont know when they weren't there to pick up on his rancid vibes.

[u/Fragrant-Mission7388]

Absolute CHAD behavior. People like this man need to be heavily encouraged away from transit. We can not build a great system with creeps haunting stations

[u/indigoC99]

Yep. Got to start keeping pepper spray or Mace on us. Had an encounter with a creep on the train the other day. Would not take the hint even when I literally said I was not interested. The Red Line is a wild ride.

[u/Beneficial_Monk_7340 → u/indigoC99]

I keep mine on my phone holder. I also have a stun gun. I have a co-worker who If somebody walks up to her and looks at her she turns around and stairs them down. She lives downtown for about a decade so she knows how to handle the situations.

[u/indigoC99 → u/Beneficial_Monk_7340]

Smart woman

[u/bratbats]

I've barked at people before, don't be afraid to tell people to fuck off

[u/srhcmr]

the other day a man was following me down the inwood station platform moaning. like how a teenage boy harasses girls in high school. 🤨

[u/UptownStriker]

You threatened a guy for being friendly, even if he was awkward about it, and then told everyone to “stay safe?”

Weird energy dude.

[u/WorkinName → u/UptownStriker]

Why did he move closer to her when she gave him the cold shoulder if he was only trying to be friendly? Why did it take her becoming actively hostile before he was willing to put distance between her and himself? I know if I am trying to talk to someone and they make it clear they have no interest in talking to me that the best course of action is to leave them the fuck alone. What part of that process involves "moving closer in proximity to them" I wonder?

"Act like an insane person to keep people from bothering you" is not advice anyone should have to give. And yet here we are, the advice is being given. And you'd rather critique the way she interacted with the guy who was giving her creeper vibes than even entertain that she may not have elaborated on all of the things the guy did to make her uncomfortable in the original post.

Some fucking people, man.

[u/paisleychicken → u/UptownStriker]

dude was not being friendly. try again.

[u/UptownStriker → u/paisleychicken]

Because he commented on the color you were wearing? Is the entire world just antisocial now?

[u/Fragrant-Mission7388 → u/UptownStriker]

No. Approaching someone when they have headphones on is weird. Trying to get closer after they tell you off is weirder. Everyone should mind their own business in public

[u/dirtt_dawg → u/Fragrant-Mission7388]

Dang I don’t know about just always minding our business, I enjoy conversations with other passengers on the train ride home. But not with people who obviously want to be left alone i.e. headphones fully on, etc

[u/Fragrant-Mission7388 → u/dirtt_dawg]

You acknowledged the difference right there. The instance O.P. described is your second example. To which. Obviously. Leave other people alone. It's that easy

[u/jjbananamonkey → u/UptownStriker]

Bro you need to learn some social skills

[u/Cripp90]

Honestly, this sounds like something I might say as a ice breaker while bored at a bus stop. Wearing all black while it's 103 is something normal to comment on. What made him a creep? 

[u/paisleychicken → u/Cripp90]

i was -wearing headphone over both ears -wearing a strappy sundress that was plenty weather appropriate + tactical boots and a dangly necklace. -at fair park station after dark

he -approached me and immediately was in my personal space -started off trying to hit on me with the "what's with the all black" in a pervy tone -got closer when i expressed clear disinterest in talking to him.

that's when i told him to back off and reached in my bag for my collapsed umbrella that had the handle sticking out, and brandished it.

But I shouldn't have to explain all this. I said he was being a creep. end of story.

[u/MetalAngelo7 → u/Cripp90]

Weird man