When I was working, I often found myself leaving my office late at night and walking through a deserted parking garage or empty street to my car. Occasionally, I would run into young, attractive women also going home after a late night at the office. Alone, just the two of us in a lonely place, I very often saw the same reaction; a nervous smile, a shy glance. They were obviously torn between either ignoring me altogether, and risk being attacked as a snob, or unfriendly, or just the opposite, being too friendly and broadcasting the wrong message: I am alone, available, ready to give this scruffy looking stranger an opportunity.
It broke my heart, not just for the pain and anxiety I unwittingly provoked in these young women, but for the true and justified fear any attractive woman finds herself beset by when finding herself with a stranger in a lonely place.
I quickly learned to break off eye contact, and pause to tie my shoe, light up a smoke, fumble with my briefcase or car keys, or perform some other action that allowed them to increase the distance between us.
Its the least I could do.
Off Topic » in reply to Fear, a story
Deimos and Phobos
The whole thread (44 posts)
- Fear, a story
- Deimos and Phobos
- and another perspective (lighthearted from my point of view)
- From a different perspective
- I probably wouldn't run... but not because I am some macho badass...I just can't run fast
- You have to wonder what motivates assholes like that...
- You call them rednecks.