My story today did not happen on the street, but at work. I was getting ready to get out of the elevator when the elevator door opened and in stepped a man. He immediately began to ask how my day was, and I noticed that his eyes were constantly glancing up and down my body. As I walked out of the elevator, I heard the man whisper “wow”.
I turned around to catch him sticking his head out of the window almost cartoon-like, staring at my butt. He mumbled a quick “sorry” and the door closed, but it is not enough. I’m so mad about this. I can’t be safe from anyone’s nasty thoughts in even the most secluded, quiet workplace. I’m furious and feel disgusted.
– LJ
Location: Danvers, MA
Share your street harassment story today and help raise awareness about the problem. Include your location and it will be added to the Street Harassment Map.
Golden Silence says
Ah, yes, the double take. All because these dummies don’t realize that we women aren’t objects—that we’re human beings with eyes and ears to see and hear their dumb commentary, and with emotions to make us get frustrated, fed up and angry that this continues to happen.
Jen says
Harassment in your own workplace really gets me. I was leaving my work one day (barely out the door) when a couple of guys carrying out contract work onsite walked past and one of them felt it necessary to comment on my appearance. I was really angry and shouted at him, then the next day reported it to his company, who were very apologetic and told me he had been sacked (they could well have just been saying this, but even so it was clear they weren’t happy with him). How dumb are these guys?! The guy I complained about was wearing a shirt with the company name on and decided to harass someone in the place he was working in – what a genius!
Golden Silence says
It’s because they just don’t give a damn! There are many people out of work who’d value these jobs these harassers take advantage of, but the harassers are clogging these jobs. I’ve had guys harass me while in a vehicle with their company’s logo on it—they seriously don’t care.
Zanje says
“I can’t be safe from anyone’s nasty thoughts in even the most secluded, quiet workplace. I’m furious and feel disgusted.”
I am in no way trying to minimize your feelings, however, what people think and what people act upon are very different. The person in question clearly thinks he has every right to say, out loud, whatever ignorant thought that pops into his head. He is wrong, but please remember that thought does not equal crime. You should report this to your HR department. We tend to not report these “minor” incidents, because we blame ourselves. They are not minor and no person has the right/privilege to force him/herself physically or verbally on anyone.