“That’s a very big book for such a little lady.”
One time I was on the Tube reading a book. I looked up and a man sitting across from me was reading the exact same book, kind of an unusual title, not exactly Jane Eyre or anything. What an odd coincidence! We made eye contact, nodded, and carried on.
“Hey baby, what’s your book about?”
“How to dispose of the bodies of annoying people who interrupt your reading on the bus...” Look up, smile “For Dummies.”
I used to bartend, and emotional woman were weak prey for some of those men. All women were prey to some. I was considered a service whore by a few simply because I served drinks and worked late hours. Whore. They would actually follow me home after last call and try and walk in my house, like it was normal. Blocking…
Almost EVERY TIME I go running. Headphones in. Actively propelling myself forward, looking straight ahead.
Oh my god, THIS. I used to travel for work a lot, so I spent a lot of time in bars/restaurants in other cities alone. Always had a book, always had my WALLS UP body language turned up to one bazillion. Always had some douchebro tryina get me to chitchat. fuuuuucccck offfff. I have responded with everything from polite…
I’m going to add “women who are on the phone” to this list. You’d think the fact that I am actively engaged IN ANOTHER CONVERSATION would be enough of a hint, but apparently it isn’t. Everything from men trying to hit on me to people asking for directions.
In my younger, more militant days (I honestly can’t even imagine my reacting this way now) this happened at a bus stop:
I think I have a whole series by this author!
I was really hoping someone would be so self-involved as to turn a larger issue into an anecdote about a unique personal experience that does nothing to change any of the points made in the post. Thanks!
None of us have ever seen your alleged ‘wife.’ Therefore those of us who spend our entire lives trying to get strangers to leave us the fuck alone while we read in peace are inclined to think that she’s a sock puppet/figment of your imagination.
you should feel LUCKY that a guy like me is even TALKING to you.
I often go to my favorite little wine bar to do some writing on the fic I’m working on. Much as I love the confines of my bed and mechanical keyboard, occasionally I just need some outside inspiration and change of scenery. You would be shocked (or maybe not, really) at the number of guys who think I want to discuss…
I wasn’t HITTING on you, GEEZ. Ego much? I was just trying to be NICE and anyway you’re fat and ugly.
That doesn’t actually work. I use that line all the time but men get very butthurt that I don’t want to enjoy their sparkling wit. I have looked men in the eyes and said “GO AWAY. I DON’T WANT TO TALK TO YOU” and they still stand there talking.
“Please leave me alone” has a great chance to arouse his anger. There is no winning here.
Unless a dude started a conversation with, “Oh my god, I read that book and I love -author-, have you read [other book]?” which is the only conceivable way I could see putting down said book, this article is seriously 10000000% truth.
Except for usually if someone is stupid enough or rude enough to talk to you while you’re clearly not interested...they are usually the type of person to either KEEP trying after you say that, or get angry and harass you.
Hey there.