I was walking to work today (which, ironically, is working at a nonprofit devoted to ending domestic violence), and on the way there, got hissed and whistled at. I brushed this off, didn’t think about it really anymore. Then on my way home, 2 men stared at me and one leered and said, “Miss, you dropped something.”
I turned around quickly without bending over, as I thought it was a trick. There was clearly nothing on the sidewalk, so I said, “Nope, nothing of mine,” and continued walking. Another man behind me did nothing to help. At this point I was very angry and almost starting to cry.
I reached the next corner and 2 different men said I should cross the street now, as no cars were coming. Then one held his hand up and said, “I can carry you across the street.” to which I said “No thank you, I’m fine.” They then purposefully walked behind me for the next 2 blocks shouting, “Sure are fine” and, “Shake that” and hootin and hollerin.
– Anonymous
Location: Franklin Avenue and Nicolette Avenue, Minneapolis
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Melissa says
Very commendable on your part–the courtesy, I mean. I wouldn’t have been nearly as polite as you…
Golden Silence says
I hate that “you dropped something” crap harassers pull. It’s never worked on me. I have no interest in finding out what I’ve “dropped.”
M says
I get the cat-calls and “Miss you dropped something” crap all the time. Just sick. Sometimes I feel like turning around and flipping them off, it takes everything I have not to.