An Example of How a Man Can Compliment A Woman WITHOUT Being Skeevy or Offensive!
Location: Apartment Lobby, Silver Spring, Maryland
Time: Night (7:30pm-12am)
You can compliment me by RESPECTING me!
I want to share an experience of non-Street Harassment — an example of how a man can compliment or greet a woman without being skeevy or offensive. I got home last night around 9:00 in the evening and I stopped in the lobby to get my mail. I don’t live in a great area, but most of the men in the building are unusually polite, especially when it comes to holding the door for me. I often feel bad when I’m afraid to say hello back to some of these otherwise perfectly polite men — too much exposure to street harassment seems to have made me kind of edgy.
As I entered the complex, one man held the first door as I was coming in, another got the second door for me and held it open. The second man looked right up at my eyes, and he spoke with a smile. “Hello.” I said hello back, and went to my mailbox. He was about to walk through the door, but then he stopped and turned to me. “You know, you always wear the cutest dresses.” I was very pleased and flattered by this compliment, so I thanked him and smiled. He went his way, I went mine. Gentlemen (and men) take note — there are ways to compliment a woman without harassing her on the street.
Thank you so much to this man for being able to get his thoughts across in a polite and respectful manner. This situation could have soured my whole day — instead it was a small bright end to an otherwise long Tuesday.
Emphases by CASS.
Submitted 6/5/13 by “Meghan.”
Do you have a personal experience with gender-based public sexual harassment or assault? Submit your story to help raise awareness about the pervasiveness and harmful effects of street harassment. All submissions are posted anonymously unless otherwise specified.
If you experience or have experienced sexual harassment on the DC Metro system: Whether the event is happening at the moment or occurred months ago, we strongly encourage you to report to Metro Transit Police (MTP): www.wmata.com/
If you need assistance in coping with public sexual harassment or assault, please contact the DC Rape Crisis Center (DCRCC) 24/7 crisis hotline at 202-333-RAPE (202-333-7279).
