“I’m curious about who the heck that even works on”

To begin, it’s hard not to blame myself for today’s incident. I was wearing a crop top and a denim skirt that stopped at my knees with a fairly dramatic slit. However, this is South Florida, it’s hot, and I shun the hideous college student uniform of ratty hoodies and gym shorts. At the end of the day, I think I should be able to wear whatever the heck I want. Plus my clothes aren’t an invitation for attention. I put on my clothes to impress myself not some strange dude lurking in the student parking lot.

Anywayyyyyy on with the story. I was walking to my car in the afternoon after class. I see two young men, presumably students, and I veer left to avoid them. I just moved here from Los Angeles so I’m no stranger to the disgusting things men feel empowered to say when they’re loitering with their friends. Of course one of the guys comes up to me and asks me if I can give him a ride home. For obvious reasons I say no. And I continue my walk to my car. He continues to ask two more times as I walk away and I offer a practical solution: “Why don’t you call an Uber?” He then goes on about not having money and at this point I stop because I don’t want this stranger to know which car is mine. He badgers me again and I make an excuse that I’m headed to Starbucks and I can’t help him.

He then completely flips the script and asks for my name and to that I say “I’m good” and walk away as quickly as possible. Fortunately he finally picked up on my lack of interest. I was relieved that he wasn’t close behind when I made it to my car; on the other hand I felt unsafe and uncomfortable.

I’m still confused trying to understand why that’s a tactic for flirting and I’m curious about who the heck that even works on. I wish I didn’t have to worry about instances like this on campus. Why doesn’t the school just host a seminar on harassment and why it’s not okay? Why do we not have heavier security in student parking lots to discourage this kind of behavior?

– J

Location: Palm Beach State College, Boca Raton, FL