.Taking your doggo for a walk is supposed to be fun. Your dog gets to stretch his legs and, you get some much-needed exercise after the holiday period. This wasn’t the case for Lily Evans. What should have been a regular walk in the park turned into a nightmare when a complete stranger decided to invade her personal space in the creepiest possible way.
Lily explained her story on Twitter, and it should go as a warning to women everywhere to be careful, even when walking the dog. And it should go without saying to all the men out there, don’t do this.
Why some women are "rude" or "cold" or "standoffish" to men in public: a thread
— Lily Evans (@LilyEvansMFC) January 5, 2018
It started innocently enough. He asked my dog's name, and then mine. I asked for his and we shook hands. I hate making small talk but, well, he had been very nice to offer my dog a treat, so I mentioned the nice weather. He asked if I lived in the area.
— Lily Evans (@LilyEvansMFC) January 5, 2018
Here you can see the signs emerging that this dude might be a little on the creepy side, but so far you could pass it off as just being friendly, if a certain kind of super creepy friendly..
About 200 yards away, I paused to let Echo sniff some stuff and text a friend. "Hey, I thought you were going home?" Oh, boy. He'd followed me. I smiled and said I was just texting a friend back, but was on my way home, which was true– but more explanation than I owed a stranger
— Lily Evans (@LilyEvansMFC) January 5, 2018
I start tugging the leash to get across the street and he asks for a hug. Before I can say no he wraps his arms around me and squeezes me, tightly, and doesn't let go for a good 10-15 seconds. I was terrified he would squeeze tighter because I knew he could hurt me if he wanted.
— Lily Evans (@LilyEvansMFC) January 5, 2018
Ugh. Who does this guy think he is? In what universe is any of this okay?
I had to take an alternate route home, in the dark, constantly checking behind me to make sure I wasn't being followed, constantly making sure I was surrounded by plenty of people so I wouldn't be alone in the dark, constantly staying on the best lit streets.
— Lily Evans (@LilyEvansMFC) January 5, 2018
I've experienced this over and over and OVER, and yet I STILL try to give people the benefit of the doubt because I don't want to get called a bitch. I don't owe anyone ANYTHING. Not a smile, not a hello, not a hug. And I'm going to remember that.
— Lily Evans (@LilyEvansMFC) January 5, 2018
Poor Lily. Not only has this guy scared the crap out of her, but she also had to rework her daily routine to avoid having this happen again and again. Nonetheless, this has happened to her, again and again. Men of the world, I think it’s time to rethink your strategies. If she’s just taking her dog for a walk, she’s probably not that interested in being picked up by you.
And for those of you telling me to "stay safe" and protect myself: being "rude" IS a way of staying safe and protecting myself. When a woman you do not know brushes you off, won't say hello back or thank you for your compliment or whatever, THIS IS WHY. SHE IS PROTECTING HERSELF.
— Lily Evans (@LilyEvansMFC) January 5, 2018
Stay safe. I couldn’t agree more, Lily. I think it’s time we all took stories like Lily’s a bit more seriously and started thinking about the way we treat other people. So guys, next time you see a cute girl out walking her dog, or buying groceries, or painting her fence think about what she’s doing. Does she look like she’s down to score? Or does it look like she’s trying to walk her dog? Again, stay safe everyone.
