One morning last week I took my dogs on a walk before work. We passed a garbage truck at a stop sign and two men stood on the back of the truck. I automatically tensed up, fearing leers or comments, but instead, they said a polite, non-creepy good morning and that I had cute dogs. I smiled and said good morning and thanks. Then we all carried on with our morning.
This is one of my recent stories of “street respect. “Street respect”* is the term for respectful, polite, and consensual interactions that happen between strangers in public spaces. It’s the opposite of “street harassment.”
Staring today, each Monday I will post a “Street Respect” story on the blog to highlight what we want people TO do (as opposed to most posts where we highlight stories of harassment and what people should NOT do). You can submit your story using the form below.
Sadly, street harassment can make us doubt or question sincerely polite and respectful interactions or make us tense up when there is no reason to, as I did. But for me, one of the reasons why we’re working to end street harassment is so that we can enjoy the street respect and not have to worry if it will turn into street harassment. Humans are social and it’s good to want to interact with each other, it’s healthy and makes us happy as long as it’s respectful and consensual!
So I hope the series can reminds us all that there are plenty of good people in the world and give us renewed hope that one day our efforts will mean our days will be filled with street respect, not street harassment.
Share your story below and spread the word that a weekly dose of street respect will be available here each Monday!
[* Term coined by Stop Street Harassment founder Holly Kearl, Sept. 2011]
beckie says
love this idea!