For my summer internship I have been traveling to and from DC via metro. As I texted my sister that I had reached my home metro stop, a man approached me and was very quickly four inches from my face. I looked up, startled, and asked if I could help him. Maybe he needed directions? He threw his hand towards me and said, “Hi my name is ‘uncomfortable street harasser’s name’ and I think you are beautiful.”
I had absolutely no idea what to do. My whole life I have been taught that if someone asks for a handshake, you reciprocate, and I had no desire to antagonize this crazed man, so I did. Immediately, I regretted it (and purelled later).
He said again, “You are beautiful” and added, “I am going to take you on a date.” At this point I had gained some composure and responded, “Thank you but I am not interested.” What the hell was coming out of my mouth? Why was I “thanking” him? This weirdo had come up to me while I was minding my own business and begun to harass me!
He then continued to ask me out on a date and tell me how much I would be missing should I reject him, which I already had multiple times. As I continued to politely deny him, I looked around to see where and what other metro stop people were doing. Was I safe? There was an older man with an LSU cap across the street giving my harasser a solid stare. He recognized that I was not comfortable and motioned for me to come over to him. But what if I was just exchanging one unwanted come on for another?
I went for Option C – excuse myself. I firmly told my street harasser that I had to make an important phone call and walked over to where others were waiting for a bus. The man eventually stopped staring at me and my sister arrived, but I couldn’t shake the freaky feeling.
I have to say. I am much more vigilant when waiting at the metro, even if I think I am safe in the sunlight.
– Katie
Location: King St. Metro Stop, Alexandria, VA
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