We're packing. Well, I'm packing to leave Paris; Bethany is just gonna leave its center. I'm actually getting a little melancholic - whatever that's due to... I almost wanna go to the Seine later tonight or catch the sunrise at some prominent place...
On the other hand I've had enough molesting experiences for today, so I really don't feel like provoking another one. -- But hey: see that: this is exactly how you should not start to think: 'provoking' people to molest you by just walking on the streets?! That's just a super-ridiculous thought (and women should definitely make themselves not think that way)!
So, here is the story: When I left Montmartre today over the large staircase (you all saw it in 'Amélie') in plain daylight and in a crowd of tourists, some guy started to call "Hey Miss!" from like three meters away, which I professionally ignored as this just is what you get (and really everyone gets) in those tourist areas. So then that guy came up to me, placed himself to obstruct the passage and when I didn't stop walking, walked with me and, I guess, tried to grab my arm and get me to stop or to go somewhere. So when I finally got rid of him by mostly pulling my arm loose and trying to pass him, I was apparently annoyed enough to not wanting him to get away with that. So, after I gained some distance, I found myself turning around and shouting at him: "This is really rude!" (actually in English) while making that great Italian gesture of utter annoyance with my left hand. Well, what happened? Of course, then the cursing started on his part. It was yelled at my back in quite ugly English, so I didn't get much of it while I was hurrying away, but what I heard were pieces like this: "(if) you (don't) do what I want" and "(I) dig your pussy" etc.pp. -- Apart from being offended, I was feeling so(!) angry for the next two hours or so that I had totally slabbed the next guy starting off like that. (I still get angry just thinking of it!) Argh!
I considered what would have happened if I had done that to this guy. Or just go back and yell back at him? But I guess that'd been really unwise as he totally demonstrated his lack of respect (and willingness to maul strangers) and any more confrontation might have become quite uncomfortable. And even though there were so many people around I doubt that these would have been of any help -- I just imagine that crowds of tourists are even worse concerning their helping behavior than other kinds of crowds (as the situation is even less defined for them). Anyways. I'm sooo angry!
-- Lately I had a nice talk to Bethany about "catcalls" (a great word!) and the way you should react to them. She says you should make an ugly noise (like a farting sound) plus ugly face in reply. I think, that's great -- and also very courageous (and therefore not always appropriate). But it's something to think about, as the usual reaction (i.e.: ignoring it, by bending your head and staring on the pavement, quickening your pace) just really makes you feel bad. You take the offense home with you, having been treated like, well, a cat and having let them make these super-disgusting smacking-sounds at you. - I don't especially like that power-talk, but Bethany says, and I think she's right, that by not looking up and trying to hide from their catcalling, you actually give them power over you. -- So: don't.
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3 comments:
i'm so sorry that you had to experience that. i like bethany's advice, though. & i like her for giving it to you.
yeah, bethany has some really good advice. i bet she would even know what's appropriate to eat in a cemetery.
right, seven!
she says: apples are ok. sandwiches, however, are beyond the scope of respectful cemetery picnics. ;-)
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