I am a British woman living in Germany. A football match between my local German team and a British club was about to kick off. I was walking to my home along a street very crowded with football fans, when a British with a group of friends man stared at me, leaned in towards me and shouted, “I like your boobies!” I was absolutely dumbfounded.
I shouted back that I understood English and was ignored, but attracted stares from passersby. I felt completely powerless, unable to say or do anything to redress the balance. It somehow made it worse that he felt he could do that in a crowded public place, with a large group of friends behind him, whereas I am a young woman alone.
This has happened to me only rarely in the 5 years I have been living in Germany, and it makes me worry what kind of country I’m returning, too. I was also angry with myself, that when I got home, I considered whether my top was “too” tight or low cut – it’s not about clothing, and I shouldn’t in anyway take responsibility for his actions.
Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?
It would have meant something to me, if other people – his friends or passersby had called him out on it. I also have no idea how one can report something as “trivial” as this.
– A.S.
Location: In front of my home, Germany
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