Unfortunately, most women have suffered through the uncomfortable experience of being approached by strange men in public. Sometimes it can be harmless. Most times, though, you try to flee the scene as soon as possible.
One Reddit user named Trdrps asked the women of the internet what their best tactics are for scaring away these creepy men. The responses are comedic gold.
These Women Go For The Gross Factor
“I once just acted like I was going to throw up. The creep, and everyone within a twenty-foot radius, gave me plenty of space.”
“One of my coworkers told me to smile more. I was eating yogurt, so I smiled and slowly squished it through my teeth. He has not spoken to me since.”
“The oldest trick in the book– poop in your hand and throw it at him.”
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These Women Use Their Age To Their Advantage
“The absolute best thing about aging is that I get approached less. I am also way more confident, wear a cloak almost everywhere I go, and I walk like I’m on a mission to kill someone.”
“I’m also under five-foot-two, but people tell me that I am intimidating. Being old and weird is great!”
“This is one of my favorite things about being old– there are so fewer creepy guys, and I can literally dress like a witch to go grocery shopping in April.”
“And for the few guys who are creeping on an old woman, I start mumbling things like, ‘don’t forget lotion for the skins,’ or, ‘I wonder if I can just use Draino instead of hemlock.'”
“Or, I just start cackling. I have perfected my cackle.”
And These Ladies Just Act Crazy
“My friend’s acting coach recommended she practice her enunciation exercises if she ever felt unsafe on the subway at night. ‘Ah aH eh eH Oo oO’ sort of thing.”
“I often start with eye contact because a lot of creeps will back off if they see that you’re not afraid of them. But, my favorite tactic is to mutter aggressively and angrily. Then, I start fidgeting with my hands and slapping them together.”
“I just look crazy as hell, and people back away from me. Walking down the street, I owe nobody my time or attention. I’ve been messed with too many times to give any f•••s.”
“I taught a self-defense class in Oakland, California, in the 1980s, and one of the things I stressed to women is that you have to be smart. Most of the time, being stronger is not an option.”
“Acting crazy almost always works. Our brains are hardwired to stay away from unpredictable things, like singing The Star-Spangled Banner at the top of your lungs. Or, start quacking.”
“I give my very best, Academy Award-level impression of a cat hacking up a hairball. And, bonus, this specific tactic took on a whole new level of disturbing around March of 2020.”
“I give them a creepy face with rabbit teeth and a crazy person’s stare. They won’t know where it came from. Show them your inner creep.”
How Do You Keep Creepy Men Away? To Read The Full Reddit Thread, Visit The Link Here.
By Katharina Buczek
Katharina Buczek graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Digital Arts. Specializing in... More about Katharina Buczek
