Within 30 seconds of stepping out of my building, a man in a garbage truck shouts, “Where’s the rest of your outfit sweetheart?” Followed by something incomprehensible and then “Sexy!”

It is 8:30 a.m., I am on my way to work at Columbia University, and I’m wearing sandals and a shirt-dress that goes past my fingertips (which was always the rule in school growing up).

– WC

Location: 175th and Audubon, NYC

Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea

Last night I was out to dinner with my boyfriend. I stepped outside to smoke a cigarette and the guys who had been sitting next to us at the bar happened to be out front smoking a cigarette as well. I was looking at my phone but couldn’t help but hear one of the men say “watch this” as he began to approach me. I did not look up from my phone, did not acknowledge them at all, just walked to the other side of the front door so I was behind a sign.

The guys who were “supposed to watch this” we’re saying things like “ouch” to their friend. A couple moments pass and the man who seemingly tried to approach me starts yelling “and that bitch hiding behind the sign is OFFENSIVE! F***ING OFFENSIVE!” I did not acknowledge them one iota and walked back inside to continue my nice evening with my boyfriend.

Women live in two worlds. When I was beside my boyfriend at the bar I was his property. But 50 feet away, on the side walk alone I was just some bitch to be pursued.

– Hannah

Location: San Diego, CA

Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea

I wanted to share with you how street harassment could have seriously injured or even killed my unborn child. The other night on my way out from picking up my food, I went to take a left out of the shopping center. I live in a fairly quiet suburban town. Especially late at night. So of course as I held my food in the seat next to me as this left turn happens to be very sharp, I did not expect to hear a loud man’s voice scream “Hey Sexy” The loud, unexpected voice took me off guard and I jumped unable in the fear of the moment to be able to determine where the voice came from.

For a split second I feared it came from inside the car. I lost control of the wheel and nearly ran into a cement road block. Thankfully I regained control in time. I had to pull over, angry at this man and crying at the thought of what could have happened. I hope this man saw me lose control of my vehicle because of his unnecessary remark.

I hope he thinks twice before ever being so disrespectful to a woman in such a manner.

– Amanda

Location: Cinnaminson, New Jersey, USA

Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea

I was near my appointment time for an interview at CoStar, located at 1331 L St. NW, Washington, DC. A block away from the location, I walked in the wrong direction going north on 14th St NW. Unknown to me I passed a group of men in various work uniforms. One was a FedEx uniform. As I passed, I heard them mumbling in low tones and remarking that “I was pretty” and some laughter followed. I ignored them in order to stay focused on my interview.

I turned around when I realized I had gone in the wrong direction, and as I passed the group of men again I heard someone say, “Ma’am, do you need directions?” in a tone that echoed sexually harassing comments I had heard before. I kept walking. Then someone from the group said, “You’re not that pretty anyway.”

I then turned to the group and flipped my middle finger at them. They backed off and I went to my interview at CoStar. This interview came through an employment agency. Despite the harassing incident, I had a good interview with CoStar. I reported my interview experience to the employment agency and the agency found me to be a favorable candidate for this position. About an hour later, I received a call from the employment agency telling me that I was removed from consideration of this position because CoStar’s FedEx delivery person saw me at the interview. He reported that I flipped him off in response to his offensive remarks. I was told by the agency that although I would not be hired for the position I interviewed for, I would still be considered for other positions after checking the comfort level of her employees, though she implied that that comfort level would be low, leading me to believe that I would not receive future work from this agency.

– LMC

Location: 1331 L St. NW, Washington, DC

Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea