It did not just happen once. Every time I’m walking alone in the area, even with oversized shirt and legging, I hear them talk in the local dialect. I am of Chinese descent and don’t really look like locals appearance-wise, so they thought I wouldn’t understand them. Whistles and questions like, “Where are you going, beautiful?” I would mostly ignore. But this afternoon at the airport when I heard a guy (40ish yo) said loudly to his friends, “Damnnn, this one looks delicious,” as I was passing by, I couldn’t help but stop and asked if he was talking to me or talking about me. All of them (6-7 people) just turned away and avoided eye contact, he looked quite shocked to be confronted. So I walked away, shaking, but victorious.
Whenever you are in a public space with a lot of people and lights, don’t hesitate. Confront them. Most of them would rather run and hide than be confronted. Believe me most of them would not even have the balls to look you in the eyes and apologize. I actually wanted to scream out the question one more time if they acted stupid, but they acted ashamed, so I just went off. What I couldn’t believe is when I told my friend of the incidence, he said isn’t that normal, the catcalling?
It looks like we need a new definition of normal.
Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?
I don’t agree with women-only passageway or space or whatever. It’s not us who needs to be confined, it’s the guys who need some good lessons in respect. Put up a fine. Anyone with video proof can sue someone who catcalls. Or anyone who witnessed a street harassment and can provide visual and audio proof of it should get a reward.
– FW
Location: Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport, Indonesia
Need support? Call the toll-free National Street Harassment hotline: 855-897-5910
Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for ideas.
