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In reply to the discussion: Why is it some men get all offended if a woman they don't know is wary around them? [View all]eqfan592
(5,963 posts)...and have been for my entire adult life, and I've experienced women changing their behavior as I walk down he street. I completely understand it and just feel sorry for the fact that they have any reason to be afraid in the first place. I remember it got especially bad around my college campus. There were a string of rapes, and all of the women were understandably on edge.
As much as I'd love to say "Please, don't be afraid, I have zero desire to do you any sort of harm whatsoever," I know that saying anything at all would only make it worse, so if they look at me, I just smile and nod my head and go about my business. I've also learned to either quicken my pace to move ahead or slow my pace down to fall behind of a woman that is clearly made nervous by my presence. Just makes sense.