Grown Up Safety

[Mermaid]

Personal things I do:

Dog. She's small but she's suspicious of everything, observant and vocal. Especially useful at gas stations and parking lots where people may try to grab your wallet from your car or sneak into the backseat while you aren't looking.

I lock the car door as soon as I sit down no hesitation.

Basic drinking stuff my mom told me to do when I was little: My drink doesn't leave my hand if I'm out dancing. If I have to go to the restroom on a date, I finish my drink first then order a new one when I get back. I don't accept drinks from men unless the bartender hands it to me.

I am the size of the average sized man so I am less likely to be physically attacked. But i am a black belt and take kickboxing for fun just in case someone wants to try their luck.

We don't walk often in the south but I like to solo travel. So when I'm in a new city I plan my route before leaving the hotel. Walk with purpose when I am in non-tourist areas. No alleys.

[memecherry]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

what do you do if you think you're being followed? either in a car or on foot?

I was followed walking home at night from the bus stop when I lived in the Mission district in SF (mostly latino/polynesian neighborhood at that time).

I could feel somebody walking behind me, I crossed the street, he crossed the street. Could still feel him behind me, I crossed again, he crossed again.

I took my heel off turned around & yelled at him in spanish (was a bit of a gamble) to stop following me or I was gonna hit him in the head with my shoe. He stammered, got scared and left.... I still feel relatively lucky.

[memecherry]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

what do you do if you think you're being followed? either in a car or on foot?

I have been followed in a car, many times... Sometimes trying to solicit me for a "date" sometimes just harassing me. I always pick up the phone & call somebody I know will answer. I tell them to stay on the phone with me till I can find somewhere safe, usually there is a business close by I can duck into or I have just stayed on the phone till the car was gone and out of sight.

If it's ever close to home I don't go home till I know nobody is following me.

[memecherry]

Originally Posted by Lanfear

People really follow you in a car outside of movie car chases?

On foot depends, if there are people around at daytime I would do what Apia said and stop at a corner/shop window to see if they pass me.
At night or with few people around, I'd try cross to the other side of the street, go to a well lit area, see if there is a hotel/bar around I could go to. Otherwise semi aggressive 'I see you!!!' pointed staring and maybe taking out my phone is a good start.

Yes, I have had TOO many creepy men follow me in cars. I live in the bay area & I don't have a car, public transportation & walking were my main sources of transportation till UBER came around, and even then I still walk a fair amount & take the bus/train. There are parts of town that I avoid walking now because I've had so many cars slow down & follow me. It's SO scary.