General Discussion
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]Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)The function of a store is to sell shit to customers. There is the expectation that if you open a store, people will come in and browse. Your owning a store is invitation for people to do exactly that. if you then go out of your way to treat one set of customers differently from another set, the former has a valid place to complain about your behavior.
On the other hand, most people - women included - aren't "open for business." They don't want random people to "stop in and browse." it bugs people. If you stop and pester someone uninvited - "Hey, are you keeping out of trouble?" - you have no fucking place to complain if their hackles go up. You are intruding. On the face of it, maybe there's nothing wrong with that, you're a friendly person trying to strike up a conversation, fine. But if the person stiffens up and sends "go away" signals, go away. You do not have a right to their time, they do not desire your presence, and it doesn't hurt you to take a hint and leave them alone.
And no, it's not just men who seem to think it's their god-given right to intrude like this. But it seems to usually be men who get upset with the "go away" reaction.