How to deal with this?

[Anonymous]

I once tried reading a banner from afar and for a couple of seconds, I locked eyes with a guy standing next to it before looking away.

After this, he began incessantly watching me from afar for a whole 2 minutes without looking away. (i. e. As I bought coffee, as I sat down drinking it, even when I got up to the bin immediately after I finished my drink, he bent his body forward to keep watching my every move). It was really uncomfortable so I hid behind something for a few seconds to avoid him. However, when I stepped out thinking he would've stopped, he was still there, waiting for me to come out of my hiding spot, still staring at me. I felt sick to my stomach and I couldn't hold back my tears. I just want him to leave me alone and I'm too scared to confront.

[horatiohornblower]

You've already asked this before. Go with a friend and confront him. You need to really scare him off and show you aren't a victim. As this'll get worse if you just cower. He'll get more bold.

If he won't back off. Try to get a restraining order.

[Asker]

Yes but I was the one who initially initiated this to a small level. So it's technically my fault too, he only started with his minute long watching thing from there. Should I still confront him?

[horatiohornblower]

You have zero responsibility in this. Please try not to self victim blame.

If you want it to end. I don't see an option other than confrontation. Police can't do anything. Unless he does something menacing. It's unlikely you'd get a restraining order.

But that's just really creepy. He needs to know that you aren't just a fragile flower. Consider carrying pepper spray, learn to use it and take self defense courses. Those are all good to know and have anyways.

[Asker]

Thank you, yes police will only do something if I make it clear to him that I don't like it and he still doesn't stop. Someone advised me that without confronting him I can't get anywhere as apparently he can say I like it, so I guess I should tell him.
Thank you 😊

[SnakeBoop]

I mean you essentially come across as staring towards him, and then being weird and hiding. Just get up and leave. Make sure to talk to someone else if they're making you uncomfortable.

[Asker]

Yeah I technically initiated it, but I only did that for a couple of seconds. What he did was for close to two whole minutes, without looking away. Also the event I was in was in an open space, it's not easy to leave an open space like that, he bends his body to keep watching if I go out of his sight