Tuesday, April 21, 2009

One of Those Train Rides

So today on the way home from class on the train, a guy sat in a seat in front of me and made a point of turning and staring at my crotch. Literally.

This is the second time he's done this. The first time, I studiously ignored him and continued reading my book and only got up and left when it was my stop. This time, however, when I noticed him staring, I got up and moved. The problem was, the guy was black, and there were two other black people in close proximity who gave me the eye when I got up and moved. I know they think I didn't want to sit next to a black guy. Well, what was I supposed to say? The guy was staring at my crotch?

So of course I come home and blog about it to the world instead. 

6 comments:

Bevie said...

That is so sick. The guy. Not you.

In a case like that you just got to let people think what they will.

Whirlochre said...

You're not responsible for other people's reactivity, irrespective of what it may be based on.

You are, however, responsible for the safety of your own crotch, so to speak.

The only reasonable move in this sort of scenario is the one you made.

It's either that or electrified Zappo mittens and a lion.

fairyhedgehog said...

That's very nasty.

I don't see what else you could have done. It's really creepy and I hope you manage to keep out of his way in future.

writtenwyrdd said...

You can't do anything about what others think, but (sort of) like Whirl says, you're responsible for your own safety.

Stacy said...

I know, but it still bugs me that people assume they know something when they don't.

I didn't feel threatened by the guy. When I moved, he handed me my umbrella. Maybe the guy has some sight deficiency that makes him stare at crotches. I don't know. But there's just never a good day for dealing with that sort of thing.

Stacy said...

I appreciate the kind thoughts!