“This experience made me feel embarrassed, degraded, mad”

I was having a rough morning, my phone got wet and was done for. I went to Starbucks for a quick pick-me-up and to get a Christmas gift for a friend as I was determined not to let a phone ruin my entire day. As I was leaving, a worker for a nearby hotel was picking up trash on the street. I smiled at him as I passed and as I walk past he says, “mmm, sexy”.

I did not say anything back and am so mad that I didn’t! I gave him a dirty look and shook my head and kept walking back to work. This experience made me feel embarrassed, degraded, mad, and offended. I am a person, how would you feel if someone did this to your daughter? Absolutely disgusted.

Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?

Educate people that this is not okay!!! This is not a compliment!!

– JMS

Location: Uptown Dallas, TX