s 
It has happened. Although it is more common they acknowledge me. I suppose I look friendly enough that I register more as safe escort than threat. That or I am the type fitting the darker fantasies I suppose.
It does not bother me. I feel if I looked less approachable it might. It is one of those things where you dislike it but appreciate it.
Different but similar, I dislike that many men will be questioned if around kids for example. Even if the father. However I also really appreciate that people care enough to inquire for the safety of the kids.
It is a negative but one I am very willing to endure. Does that make sense?
Good point. I'll ask that question too
u no, I am quite used to it...
and it's been happening ever since I am 16 years old (and was pretty much the size that I am) and I also know "what I look like" too... lmao
I was that kind of guy who would walk on the dark streets at night as well, so, over the years I just learned to make them feel at ease
nowadays it is very rare that it happens, no matter the circumstance, because it's like a second nature to me now... no words needed, I let them know "it's safe" or I will do it myself you know? give them any sign that I am just not after them
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I absolutely have.
I've also been concerned about being harmed, in fact fear ridden about it, despite knowing that no harm will be done to me. I'm forever grateful for men who will be aware of themselves and the effect they can have on their circumstances and many do back off and putting me to ease and that makes me at ease. (I don't live online)
I don't only fear men who might do be harm, but I also fear the men who'll be blaming me for the actions of others men and hold me accountable for their actions. These are often the same men, that don't have that self awareness I spoke about and will be more concerned about their feelings (making themselves to be the victim) than women simply being human. Here I could go on about how our brain is wired to detect danger, this is how we survive but that would be going off topic.
Heck, I know men who have been uncomfortable and even feel unsafe around certain men, often the same men that make me feel uneasy. They just have the advantage of physical strength that gives them a bigger sense of safety.
I definitely notice if I seem to be making a woman nervous in a situation like this. I'm not at all offended. She doesn't know me. I'm just a guy to her.
It makes me feel slightly guilty because I don't want to be making someone feel unsafe, but I don't take it personally at all. I'll usually do what I can to either put more distance between us (if we're both walking, I might hang back and give her some more space, or cross the street).
Its not something I've ever really thought about, until right now. Its something I've done for as long as I can remember (not when I was a kid, obviously)
@ez-bri-z_v2 Like the vast majority of guys, I'm not a guy who women have any reason to avoid, and I shouldn't feel any more responsibility for the action of guys who do bad shit than you should. Just like you, I have no control over, nor any responsibility for the actions of bad men. You realize that, right?
And you realize that men are the victims of violence at the hands of bad men at a higher rate than women are, right? So why do you direct this question at men, hmm? Bad people are bad people, regardless of their gender. And victims are victims, regardless of their gender. Why do you feminists insist on gendering your victimhood?
It's what what you feminists do. You divide people by gender and assign blame to men. It's harmful and unproductive, and that sucks. It's why feminism has a bad name today, and somehow you just don't ever seem to get that. You'll say "feminism is just about equality, and what is wrong with that?" But feminism is not about equality; it's about dividing people by gender and assigning blame.
Well I have gone out at night, I might feel a little scared when I end up running into a guy in a dark area but they usually just look at me and that is that lol. In my city in Canada I walked around at all times at night even at like 3 or 4 in the morning and whenever I ran into men I would just keep going and they never do anything besides maybe say hey or once I had a group of guys call me over but that's it, I didn't go over obviously lol. When I was in UK I went out a few times at night and guys would stay stuff to me like "what are you doing out? Go home" and another time the same night a guy called me over and he was on a balcony but I just kept walking. It can be a little nerve racking but I never felt any immense danger from men since I never ran into a psychopath yet lol.
Learning to identify threats would be a good place to start instead of what the media and politics try to scare you with to control you.
I don't stare at someone just because they're also walking down the same dark street. I quickly glance at them to assess whether or not they're a threat then go back to whatever I'm doing, which is getting to where I want to go. There is zero reason for us to interact. If I see a woman doing that, then I'd be happy to know that she's ready to protect herself. I don't take it personally. But to think that it's only men that she needs to be concerned about? That I take issue with. Labels based on outward appearances opens the door for shitty people to take advantage of their own.
Men have the same issue. This isn't something that is specific to women. We are just as likely to be seen as a target by shitty people, both men and women, who think we're weaker than them or that they have an advantage over us.
I don't recall ever being in a situation like that but, I'm not one to try to harm her. If anything, I'd try to walk with her to see to it she gets where she's going safely.
I live near two major universities within about half a mile of each other and the town they're in is quite busy and loaded with nightlife but, sadly, a number of these female college students end up getting raped on their way to their dorms after a night of bar hopping and, if I had the money and the means, I'd try to see to it that each one gets an escort home to keep her safe.
I'm not interested in hurting anybody.
"How can we better protect women so that this isn't an issue anymore?"
Most women aren't randomly attacked by men, it's mostly just caution and maybe a little paranoia.. It also depends on the area as well.. I get nervous when I see another man walk past at night too.. But to answer the question.. Yeah, it does bother me a little bit, especially since I'm also a "Black" man, and we get extra scary points unfortunately.. But, I think that it's better for her to be cautious and careful than carefree and get hurt..
Considering the thousands of black women white men have r*ped since we were brought to America as slaves beginning in 1619, white omen have their nerve being afraid of us black men!!!
Actually never has happened. I was asked once by a woman if I would mind walking with her to her car while leaving a store once. Nope, didn’t know her. A few months back while at a local haunt a tourist lady with two of her women friends I never met before asked if I would pretend to be her husband - apparently there was some aggressive lesbian and a drunk guy there who would not stop hitting on her. She hopped on my lap and held me close and just kept thanking me through the evening.
People should carry their keys in a defensive posture as a matter of practice.
What bothers me is the fear mongering itself
Less than.1% of men are predators and yet women are told to be on high alert whenever a guy passes on a road
I understand not tempting fate
But I don’t like that I need to be lumped into it.
I have never and would never aggress a woman yet I have to deal with this all the same
Unfair for all parties involved
A woman only needs to be wrong one time. You’ll get over being offended.
@OneViewpoint you get my vote.
@OneViewpoint I agree with you. Im not saying women are wrong for choosing safety
I’m saying it bothers me that we live in a time where this is an actual concern
There’s nothing anyone can do about it doesn’t mean I should be happy it happens
And the question was “does it bother you”
Yes. It does
What would bother me more is, now that I have grey hair (what's left of it, that is), if a beautiful girl approaches me to ask directions on a dark street, I know that it's because I look safe, not because I'm so doggone hot! I understand it, and I appreciate it, and I accept it, but somewhere in the back of my mind, it still hurts a little bit, because I remember how it used to be! But the clock only goes in one direction, unfortunately.
@Sunrising But if a girl approaches me because I look younger than I am because I've dyed my hair and wear a wig, etc., when she finds out the truth she will feel misled, betrayed and angry because I sold her a false image of myself.
@Keyboardkat I suppose that is life, if you're honest and tell her the truth, the problem is hers, and they say age is only a number.
@Sunrising There's a nasty saying, "Men improve with age. Women just age." I'd be careful what women you'd tell that joke to. Some of them might get really p. o.'d!
She feels safe because I look like her grandfather! Depressing!
No. What bothers me is when I'm minding my own business in a huge empty parking lot and a woman parks 3-4 spots away and then acts nervous. Or I'm minding my own business in a HUGE park, biking/walking and some woman who decided to go into this huge park alone is looking at me like I don't have a right to be there.
I m not scared of anyone at night it’s other that are scared of me because when i go iut at night i dress like a drug dealer a woman got afraid and went in opposite direction of mine when i told my mother she laughed
at day I dress very féminine but if i have to go outside in the dark for any reasons I dress in tracksuit which are drug dealer ways of dressing in France was never bothered sometime guys just tell me hello so i say hello back most guys are usually good
Nope. In fact I am relieved. It's super awkward to walk with some rando you don't know, be it man or woman.
I typically slow down or walk ahead of them if we're too close for a while, so that I get my distance and they know "Oh damn, this guy REALLY wants nothing to do with me"
No although I usually take the time to cross the street to get away from women alone at night since I'm 6 2 and obviously can be scary for me to be following you around. Taking the extra step to move away from her. Sends the message. When I am with my girl that thought process disappears.
I mean it sucks that women in this society feel the need to be on their guard in 2025. But I get it. Better to be mistaken than mugged or raped.
So I’m not offended. I get it. Kudos to them for being aware and taking action.
I’ve had women I don’t know ask me to walk them to their car when I’m leaving a place. I’d never say no. I think they ask because it’s obvious everyone there knows me. Less chance I’m a nutcase.
No girl has ever done that to me. In fact it's the opposite. I've even had a girl who asked me for bit of my drink.
Also had a strange woman who told me 'she's jealous that I've been to McDonald's' I don't think she was drunk and mcdonald's was right there so it still has me confused till this day just go over there and get some lmao.
I notice this happens just walking down the street during the day. They hear your footsteps and they will glance behind them. Since I generally walk faster than most women, some might show a touch of nervousness as they hear me overtaking from behind.
That's on them not me.
Can't say I've noticed but I do and consciously move to the other side which I think is pathetic as if they get jumped what do I then do? Run over after they've been attacked like a white knight?
Given that I'm more likely in the first place to be jumped (happened 2 times in my life and ended up in hospital) I ask WHO will be the one white knighting it to me?
@Sunrising Yeah hopefully but twice it didn't and one of those was when there were 6 of us
Women were never affraid of me, because i look friendly, no woman has ever avoided me while walking on the streets in the dark, i don't make straight eye contact with them, plus sometimes they think that when they pass near me, i might flirt with them or say something, nothing happens which makes them feel comfortable!
@Ez-Bri-Z_v2 That is only a natural reaction for women in society. With sexual assault cases seemingly on the rise, not wonder women are afraid to be near strange men at night.
Unfortunately, you are right. Still, does it bother you knowing you aren't one of those guys, but you still get treated as if you potentially were?
@Ez-Bri-Z_v2 Probably would, at the time, but I keep in mind why they feel that way and they are justified in feeling that way.
If there's multiple people and I'm by myself, I'll take a different route. Especially in remote places.
Depending on where I am, if it's a single guy, I might pretend I'm unbothered, but I'm always on my guard.
No it's no surprise they do this. It sucks trying to walk down the street though with all these scared women. You're walking and there's some woman up ahead, she doesn't see you. You just know she's going to freak out. Now you have to plan a path around her. It has to be far around too so she'll freak out less. Every single one of them is an obstacle. If it's not a woman it's a bum or some sketchy looking thug or a traffic cone or tape or some other shit in your way.
No, I avoid everyone crossing the street. If I can I'll never pass someone on the sidewalk black, white man or woman. I have some pretty strict personal space boundaries.
I just keep my gun accessible. If I need to, I will kill them. I won't be a victim.
Fair enough, and guys who do try to hurt women in that way deserve what's coming to them tbh
Never happened to me and if a girl is walking in front if me i overtake her so she doesn’t feel like I’m following her or something…. Still i can understand why they do it and i don’t think any sensible guy would get offended, instead he’ll do whatever could make that girl feel safe by changing his route or something….
Not at all. I try to be careful to not appear threatening, to the point that I will cross the street to give them space.
I rarely don't second guess it. I will watch whoever walks in my current area until I'm satisfied they aren't attractive threat then, won't give it a second thought.
If it's ever happened to me I've never noticed, so I'll say I'm not bothered by it. If I ever would notice, I would understand but feel kind of insulted, because that means I look creepy.
No I would do the same. I don't know her nor she knows me.
I'm at the point in life where I see strangers as danger and I don't give benefit of the doubt anymore regardless of gender.
The only concern I would have is for the woman, as in "why is she walking alone down a dark street", probably late at night? Not a good habit. On the other hand, I'm not likely to be there in the first place!
That never happened here, but a few times women have clutched their handbag. 🤷♂️
Absolutely not. The ladies have to be careful inn public alone. This is VERY well known
I've never had it happen to me but I wouldn't blame her. I'd honestly rather her be paranoid and safe instead of wondering around not paying attention.
No it is totally replicated, I hate walking behind girls in that situation, I try cross the road and get past them so both they an I feel less anxious about the whole thing.
I have been physically assaulted multiple times for no reason and my wife has never been assaulted.
Why would it bother me as a man that women feel fear when walking at night when I'm not responsible for it and there's nothing I can do about it, and when I as a man don't have it any better than you as a woman do?
Forgive me if I don't feel the guilt you want me to feel simply because I was born with a dick.
I didn't ask you to feel guilty. I asked if it bothers you when it happens. Stop taking everything so damn personally like I'm putting you under attack.
Omggg I do this all the time, I can't help it and my anxiety goes through the roof when I am out alone at night or even during the day, I find it hard to leave my house sometimes cause of all the cases of rape and other stuff on the rise..
No, it's perfectly rational. I try to leave women a very wide berth, usually cross the road.
No, I have a car and usually drive most places so I don't pay attention to any of that nonsense
It makes me kind of sad, but I get over it as long as she doesn't pepper spray me or something.
It is definitely understandable, there are a lot of effed up people in the world.
in dark street i put a lot of distance between me and a women..
I’m used to it. I’ve accepted majority of women all think I look too ugly to date or not rich enough
More than once I intended to simply help or ensure a woman's safety, but I was perceived as a threat myself... But knowing the threat posed by other men, I can't really blame them.
I might be a bit taken aback at first but then realize that she doesn't know me and that there are men who would hurt her given the opportunity, so I wouldn't hold it against her.
No reason it should bother me, and it’s never happened that I’ve noticed. If it ever does I would probably look away and/or move in another direction.
I cross the road first, I'm frightened of the females!
I think if females tread were males fear to go, I think we need to educate the females in common sense!
Not really. I've experienced adult guys avoiding me too. Not my problem.
It disappoints me, but have enough female friends that I totally get it
Nope. I believe it’s wise to. I know I’d never harm a women, But they would not.
I mean it sucks that that's how it is.
But I completely understand, and even do it myself sometimes
I know I'm not a guy, but that should be fine. Women - and men could have had bad experiences.
No it doesn't bother me, women are always a little bit insecure about random men
Nope I wouldn't blame them im ugly and poor so you know im a conniving criminal
It's offensive as hell, but the same "women" who do that often likely also avoid minorities on the street.
Why should I bother to. much about women?
I never try to help women not because I don't want to but I know women very well. Lol.
I’m not a street walker
nope, maybe I just feel bad for them.
No, it's doesn't bother me at all
It's happened and I don't blame women ONE BIT
It would not bother me.
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