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This reel reminds me of what happened to me two weeks ago. ⬇️
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwiD-C1A3an/?igshid=MmU2YjMzNjRlOQ==
Back in the Reddit days of FDS, a book called The Gift of Fear was mentioned so many times that I had to finally read it. It's got to be one of the most life-changing and life-saving books you'll ever read. Add it your reading list.
In the book, the author says that there are some instances where you can make eye contact when a man makes you uncomfortable. Deep in our human biology, eye contact is a threat.
A couple weeks ago in the middle of the day, I caught a man following me. I was by myself at a busy art festival where I was surrounded by people. I decided to use what I learned from this book, and I threatened him with eye contact.
I walked in front of the closest art vendor's booth, about 8-10 feet away from two people stationed there. I was directly in their line of vision and they saw me. They would be my witnesses if anything happened. That's when I turned around, stood tall, and looked the stalking man directly in the eyes. My brows were furrowed and my "bitch face" engaged to let this man know I was very aware of what he was doing. I said absolutely nothing and I stared. him. down. I never broke contact with his eyes.
Friends. This man knew instantly he picked the wrong woman — my intuition told me so. He took one look at my face and began walking in a whole new direction. He never dared to even glance at me as he walked away. I continued to stare him down until he was out of my sight. I didn't see him again.
If you are in a safe scenario to threaten men with eye contact — like I was at a busy, daytime street festival full of people and with two artists as my witnesses — remember that you can make eye contact to threaten men.
Now please go read the book 📖 🙏 🙂
Brilliant! Most men are cowards, especially those who try to victimize women. Eye contact says " I SEE YOU, CREEP" and the implication is that you are ALSO noticing details about him that you can share with police. Of course he slunk away. He wanted an easy victim, and you showed him you weren't going to play.
This definitely works. Showing you aren't a meeek defenseless little girl.
I love it!
Makes me think of the time recently I was in line at a store, and a man who had a creepy vibe to me was staring at me uncomfortably. I turned to him and stared for a second while making sure my face showed how disgusted I was at his old and unkempt self, making sure to look him from his face to down to his shitty shoes and back up to his face again.
Right after my up and down look to make sure he knew I can see he's gross and old, I simply said "hi" while widening my eyes at him just briefly as I was saying it.
"Hi" while looking at him sternly was more of a "what do you fricken want?" And he knew it. He avoided eye contact after that and it was a pleasure to see how uncomfortable he was for the remainder of the wait.
I'm glad it worked for you. I hope that this technique works for me in the event (heaven forbid) I need it. I'm worried though, because I have an inherently sweet face and I don't think it can intimidate anyone.