Feeling slightly shaken, still

[eye_of_a_cat]

I went out to buy goldfish food last night, and on the walk home I was in a really jumpy mood - the kind where you glance three times at everyone you pass, just to make sure they're not looking at you. It was pretty dark by this time (although walking in the dark, by itself, doesn't usually bother me), and I wanted to get home as quickly as possible. So. As I was walking down a main road towards a short-cut sidestreet, there was a man walking down the pavement towards me, and I hurried up my pace a bit so I'd get into the (well-lit) sidestreet before having to pass him. I turn off and start walking up the flight of steps, and hear his footsteps behind me, walking up the same steps. This didn't surprise me, since it's a well-travelled short cut, but I felt a bit safer seeing that there was an old couple walking the other way when I got to the top of the steps. I passed them, turned round to see how close behind me the guy was so I could let him pass - and he'd gone. Not there. Nowhere he could have turned off without doubling back on himself, either.

I suppose it's possible he just forgot something and turned round to go back for it, but that must have been about the time he saw that there were other people in the sidestreet, and that bothered me. I hurried up and got home as quickly as possible. Mentioned this to my housemate today, and she said that exact same thing had happened to her on a street nearby.

I got a lift home today from Friend With Car. I do not fancy the walk from the bus stop in the dark. In fact, right now, I don't fancy walking anywhere on my own in the dark for quite a while.

Comments

[elettaria.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear you got a fright, but I'm also shocked to hear you walk home in the dark, especially down side-streets. Don't.

[kakodaimon.livejournal.com]

But, but, but... on the other hand, surely restricting oneself because of one's gender is a concession women should not have to make? Although I do understand the practicality of it.

[elettaria.livejournal.com]

Personal safety takes priority. Campaign for better attitudes towards women, by all means; I'm a raving feminist, but in the days when I could still walk properly I ALWAYS either got a cab or got someone to accompany me to my door. (Admittedly one guy got to my doorstep and propositioned me, but the main problem there was not bursting out laughing or making a snide remark about, "Considering how much you've drunk tonight, I doubt you could manage it," or perhaps, "After what you've told us about your sexual history?" The guy had managed to have a misspent youth by the age of 15. He was all of 20, bless him - what is this attraction I have for 20 year olds?)

I remember a drama class at school when the teacher made us go round the circle and define freedom, and one girl stood up and said, "Freedom is when a woman can walk the streets in her underwear and not get raped." Hear, hear.

Oh, the other point is that I'd say this to a man, although they're less likely to listen. More men than women get mugged, and this is probably because women are more likely to be careful in this regard. If someone's roaming the park with a syringe, waiting to take people to cashpoints, which is the sort of thing that happens round here on and off, I don't think your gender makes a blind bit of difference.

[kakodaimon.livejournal.com]

I forgot to respond to this, but I still think of it. You are most correct, and good for not immediately squashing me for that remark.

[eye-of-a-cat.livejournal.com]

I think I fall on the impractical-and-unsafe side of decisiveness, most of the time.

(Also, much overdue t_m post is now up :)

[eye-of-a-cat.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know. That particular side-street is usually better-travelled than the long way around, and it is well-lit, but I think I'll be sticking to roads from now on. (I used to have no fear/sense whatsoever, and would walk the two miles back from uni in the early hours of the morning by myself until flatmates freaking out persuaded me it wasn't a good idea. Really, really should be more careful now.)