This happened a couple weeks ago – I was walking down the street to a bus stop in order to go to a rehearsal downtown, and this car with two men (in their mid-20’s to early 30’s) pulled up beside me and slowed down a bit. The guys rolled down their window and began yelling things out to me. Things like, “Damn, baby, you got a nice rack,” “You wanna come with us? Hey, girl, you wanna come with us?” and “Come with us baby, we’ll give you a good time.”
I was creeped out by what they were saying, and I kept walking, only I sped up in an attempt to get away from them. An oncoming intersection forced them to pull into a lane farther away from me, and as I reached a crosswalk, they passed me once more, this time shouting at me “Well fuck you, bitch!” and other vulgarities.
I was shaken! I wish I had said something, but when it was happening my only thought was to ignore them and get away from them. It’s not like I was dressed becomingly either – unless baggy jeans are considered “becoming.”
I hated their comments on my chest, too. Not only do I hate references a girls chest as a “rack” or “tits” or anything like that, which I find vulgar, but I also felt degraded knowing that just walking down the street would get a 16 year old girl like me subjected to such comments. I hated hearing them tell me to “go with them” as if it would be enticing for me. I hated that intersection from that time on.
OH! And when I got on the bus I saw (to my dismay) that the same guy who I frequently saw was there. This guy stares at me every time I’m on the bus – no matter where I sit. And it isn’t glances, it’s him very blatantly turning and staring and smiling at me – and my chest. Reporting it doesn’t help, because he hasn’t said anything to me or in anyway “harmed me,” besides making me incredibly uncomfortable.
– Emmaline
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
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Beckie says
I think you were smart to just try to walk away because in a car or truck they could really hurt you if they got too angry. But if it ever happens again maybe take down their license plate ane report them. Even write a letter like this to your local paper including the license plate. That way you are doing something! I think on the bus you can say please quit staring at me and other people will hear and the guy will get embarrassed.