Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

Street Respect: Grocery store kindness

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This is part of the Monday series “Street Respect. “Street respect” is the term for respectful, polite, and consensual interactions that happen between strangers in public spaces. It’s the opposite of “street harassment.” Share your street respect story and show the kind of interactions you’d like to have in public in place of street harassment.

I’m 31 and have experienced awful street harassment in the past. I was at the checkout stand late one recent evening at a supermarket, the kind of store where you pack your own groceries. As I was paying the cashier, I turned and saw two young men quietly packing my groceries. No creepy looks, no winks, no leering — just a kind deed. I thanked them with a smile, and they told me, “You’re welcome.” And that was it.

I smiled as I left, because it reminded me that there are decent, respectful people in the world.

– SB

Location: Visalia, CA

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Street Respect: Construction workers who work instead of harass

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This is part of the Monday series “Street Respect. “Street respect” is the term for respectful, polite, and consensual interactions that happen between strangers in public spaces. It’s the opposite of “street harassment.” Share your street respect story and show the kind of interactions you’d like to have in public in place of street harassment.

There are four construction sites within a two block radius of my house. As you know, that leaves plenty of opportunity for being harassed. I must say, though, that these particular crews of men don’t resort to the usual staring, whistling and commenting that women within their sights tend to experience, despite the fact that three of these sites are right by the local gym and scores of women in shorts and form fitting workout gear pass them by daily.

Kudos and much respect to these men for acting like mature, polite, well raised men. As the women walk by, there may be an occasional glance or two, but no more…. there’s no extended leer or stare. They keep their attention more focused on the job at hand. No whistles, no lewd comments…if there’s anything, it’s just a quick smile. Bravo!

Other construction crews could learn from these guys!! They should give a class on how to behave when you’re in someone else’s neighborhood working, seriously! Anyhow, I just wanted to shed light on these four crews working in my hood being respectful of all who pass and not creating an uncomfortable climate, unlike others have in the past. It’s refreshing and much appreciated! 😉

– Yvonne

Location: 30th Ave and 38th St. in Astoria, Queens, New York

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Street Respect: Language check

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This is part of the Monday series “Street Respect. “Street respect” is the term for respectful, polite, and consensual interactions that happen between strangers in public spaces. It’s the opposite of “street harassment.” Share your street respect story and show the kind of interactions you’d like to have in public in place of street harassment.

I was waiting at a bus stop (a layover en route to university) near a hospital in a nice enough part of town. Two gentlemen joined me at some point. Based on their conversation and demeanor, it seemed they had some recent experience in jail or maybe prison. At one point, one of them cursed and his companion responded, “Watch your mouth. There’s a lady present.”

As a sociologist, I know that social decorum is sometimes lost (if not simply rusty) after time spent “inside.” I was warmed in that regard . . .

– MCM

Location: 1201 West 38th Street, Austin, TX 78705

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Street Respect: Glove Found

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This is part of the Monday series “Street Respect. “Street respect” is the term for respectful, polite, and consensual interactions that happen between strangers in public spaces. It’s the opposite of “street harassment.” Share your street respect story and show the kind of interactions you’d like to have in public in place of street harassment.

I am so used to harassment by males on the streets of NYC that when a man last winter kept calling after I had passed him, “Miss, Miss,” I walked on angry that once again I can’t walk on the streets without a male starting up a conversation with me, a stranger. This persistent man finally caught up to me and handed me my own glove said, “You dropped this.”

I felt horrible and grateful at the same time. It was a nice reminder that not every male on the street who approaches me sees me as a piece of beef to drool over.

– Beckie

Location: New York City, USA

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Street Respect: Sandwiches in Los Angeles

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This is part of the Monday series “Street Respect. “Street respect” is the term for respectful, polite, and consensual interactions that happen between strangers in public spaces. It’s the opposite of “street harassment.” Share your street respect story and show the kind of interactions you’d like to have in public in place of street harassment.

My husband and I were out running with our dog in our neighborhood. We decided to grab some sandwiches on our way back home. Of course I was dressed in tight running pants and a bit flush from our workout. I was outside the shop alone with our dog when a group of 6 or so men came out of a store and started walking down the sidewalk in my direction. I immediately got nervous when they started to look at me, I was totally a target for some sort of comment. But I was totally surprised as they walked by. Some smiled and nodded politely and one guy engaged me in a pleasant conversation about my dog’s breed and how he had had a similar dog as a kid. He then told me to have a nice day and the group walked off.

Moments later we were walking back and passed this same group of guys, hanging out by a car, on one of our neighborhood streets. They just waved politely. It certainly made me feel very good!

– Tanya

Location: Olympic and Vermont, Los Angeles, CA

 

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