I was walking into a Safeway grocery store in the early evening when I was about 21 years old. Two men who were much older than me were standing near the entrance and started saying things over and over as I was walking by like “Hey sexy”, “What are you doing tonight”, “Where are you going?”
I felt really uncomfortable and ashamed for some reason. I was coming from work and was dressed modestly, not that that should be an excuse. I tried to ignore them, but ended up turning my head to look at them. I didn’t say or do anything and I didn’t smile and then I turned my head straight again. For some reason they didn’t like that I looked at them and still ignored them or didn’t say hi or what. Then they started yelling that I was a “fu**ing bitch” and “you’re not pretty anyway” but it was very angry and I felt extremely scared and uncomfortable. I asked a bagger to walk me out to my car.
Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?
In my instance, a security guard and cameras in the parking lots. Management that will take action — or anyone that will take action.
– Elaina Cordova
Location: Sacramento, CA at the Safeway store on Fair Oaks and Howe Avenue.
Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea.
