I'm an Asian woman, and even before I grew a bust, I've gotten catcalled in the street, sometimes followed by threats of violence if I hollerback or if I ignore them. However, these last two years, now people are also yelling at me about COVID19, China, etc.
I've been yelled at on a train platform by an unstable man shaking his fists, pacing, and yelling at me. I've been followed out of a train station by a yelling man until I hid in a store. My (Asian woman) friend was chased out of a train station by a yelling man. I've had a man mime firing a gun at me and yell about shooting me. I've been followed in the park. I've been cornered in the elevator of my apartment.
I live in a city, so this happened with people all around me. Even in the elevator, there was another person. In these last two pandemic years, no one has stopped to help me or ask if I'm ok. In my life, I can count on one hand the times someone has stopped to help me.
What gives? I'm not strong, but even I have intervened to help before. People should at least pause and ask if the person is OK or needs help afterwards!
However, I have a hunch that this alone-ness in these moments when we need help is actually very common among women, not just me. I think the educational system should include bystander intervention as mandatory training.
I was out with friends yesterday evening and decided to go via Sainsbury's before grabbing our respective busses home. I use a wheelchair because of pain and fatigue
I was wearing a handmade dress and a crochet elf hat that I'd made. I looked like a full elf with stripy tights and green shoes to match!
My friends and I split while in the shop and as I was browsing the free-from section a lady approached me from behind.
She said 'Oh I love your hat! Did someone crochet or knit that for you?'.
I just said (quite bluntly) 'I made it'.
'I like it' she goes and carries on past me.
Now I dunno, I probably didn't need to be hostile about it. I get lots of compliments about my hat but it's a first for someone to automatically assume someone else made it.
Maybe I'm overthinking it but yea, rubbed me the wrong way for a bit 🤷
EDIT: The outfit, another pic (I don't use the chair all the time)
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