I was walking home from my high school softball game when I stopped at a busy intersection a block away from my house. I was waiting to cross the street when I made eye contact with a man in the parked car to my right. His head was out the window and he looked at me and said, “Hello there.”
I ignored him and kept looking forward. Then he said, “Wow, you can’t even say hi back?” As I started to cross the street I tried to laugh it off uncomfortably and said, “No sorry.”
The words that he said next will never leave my head. He responded by saying, “Yeah? Well why don’t you wipe that dirty ass smirk off your face.” Are you kidding me? Who does this man think he is, hitting on a girl who is at least 15 years younger than him and expecting a postive response? It gets me so angry.
My mother always told me never to say anything back because I never know what kind of person he is and whether or not he will hurt me. It’s so frustrating listening to these rude and disgusting things that these men say when they don’t hear what they want and not being able to say anything.
Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?
I would like to see posters all around NYC with slogans such as: I will not smile for you.
– A.D.
Location: Queens, NY
Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea.
