honking

Eve

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I have recently moved to uni where I have been based in the city centre, and I have noticed an increase in men making me feel uncomfortable, however it is still nothing new. Most days, if not serval times a day I am not honked at by men out of their vehicles, catcalled, and leered at with a disgustingly creepy smiles as I am walking to uni. It frustrates me as they just drive off, no consequnce endured. However, as it is usally vans that are on their way to a job (tradesman, labourers) during the day, I have started making a note of their company displayed on their van. From now on I will be contacting their company or writing a review of their disgusting behaviour (annonymously, for my safety). They do not have to get away with it, and I will not stay silent and feel like I have no power or control of the situation. I am so so sick of it.

Donna

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I was out for a run on the side of the road in a quiet gated community with no sidewalks (where almost no traffic ever comes) when a truck honked at me from behind. I asked, “What are you honking for?” because the driver window was rolled down. He yelled back, “You weren’t looking!” Then parked his truck. He was right. I wasn’t looking behind me over my shoulder as I ran forward. But he drove up behind me on a wide road, so his complaint was suspect. I went over to his truck and engaged in a conversation with him. First off, he rolled his eyes at me and said, “Listen honey-” to which I told him I was NOT his HONEY. He tried to tell me his honk was because I didn’t look when I crossed a drive-way he wanted to enter. I tried to empathize with him and said, “That must happen to you a lot. It must be really annoying for you.” He said, “Nope, doesn’t bother me one bit.” So I said, “Then WHY WOULD YOU HONK AT ME?!” Suddenly he changed his story and tried to tell me it was a “howzit” honk, like a “How’s it going?” so I wagged my finger at him and said, “No way, I have never have a ‘howzit’ honk in all my time running here. That’s was not a howzit honk. It was rude!.” In the end, he told me to “Keep jogging big butt!” And I snapped back, “Ok Saggy balls!” Which was ageist and rude as well. There’s nothing wrong with being an old man. There’s nothing wrong with saggy balls. But screw him.

Alexia

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I’ve just been for a run. On my way back I stopped at the shop and bought some milk. Didn’t have a bag so was carrying it. Crossed at a pedestrian crossing. The man in the car who had to stop to allow me to cross started beeping his horn at me and shouting out of his window “Can I have some milk, baby, can I have some milk?” and laughing. I looked back and stared at him with a disgusted look which made him laugh even more. Really wanted to confront him but was scared of the consequences just in case he turned nasty. Noted his registration plate but realistically am not going to report it. A women with a young girl crossed the road at the same time as me so great that a young child witnessed this behaviour too. I have noticed that I get accosted more frequently when I am in sports gear. What he said wasn’t actually offensive but I’m absolutely fuming that I have been made to feel intimidated.