Sometimes, as women, we're faced with creepy men. Whether it's being whistled at by construction workers when there's a hint of sun out or having that annoying drunk guy slurring in your ear at the club - there are often unenjoyable encounters that we have to endure. Obviously, this isn't always the case - there are plenty of decent, non-creepy people out there, but we all know the type.
Well, this woman knows it all too well and has taken to Twitter to share a scary encounter that she had with a man that she met while walking her dog.
The Twitter thread has propelled to internet fame, going viral on the platform with many people saying that the woman's encounter perfectly nails why women can appear "cold" or "standoffish" sometimes.
Keep scrolling to find out how her experience with a seemingly nice man turned massively sour.
Seemingly innocent encounters with strangers can quickly go south.
What can start off as a polite bit of small talk about the weather can quickly escalate to crossing the street or even taking a completely different route home to avoid the person.So it's no surprise that women will sometimes choose to avoid passive conversation with strangers.
If I make eye contact with you and I’m not smiling and you’re a stranger (man) on top of that, please do not attemp… https://t.co/gVuvn0PhUJ— B ♑️🖤 (@B ♑️🖤)1554485334.0
Because, what's easier, making random small talk with a guy that you don't know and potentially ending up in a very awkward situation, or simply going about your day without any problems?
And often the creepy people ruin it for those who are simply just trying to be nice.
Obviously, not every guy is a creepy weirdo, but the handful of those that are ruin it for the polite strangers who genuinely just want to pet your dog or comment on how nice the weather is today.Well, one woman knows the feeling all too well.
via: Shutterstock
Lily Evans took to Twitter to describe a frightening encounter that she had with a stranger while walking her dog.Her story struck a chord with many women on the platform.
People are saying that the viral thread conveys a powerful message, with many women sympathizing and, scarily, relating to Lily's experience.Lily perfectly introduced us to her thread by tweeting this:
Why some women are "rude" or "cold" or "standoffish" to men in public: a thread— 🦊LilyEvans🦊 (@🦊LilyEvans🦊)1515118215.0
Lily starts off by telling us that she came across a seemingly normal guy while walking her dog.
I was walking my dog today and stopped to take a photo of the sunset. A man on a bench behind me was having a snack… https://t.co/Op41ge7ky0— 🦊LilyEvans🦊 (@🦊LilyEvans🦊)1515118281.0
The man then began making small talk with her, but one particular question caused alarm bells to ring...
It started innocently enough. He asked my dog's name, and then mine. I asked for his and we shook hands. I hate mak… https://t.co/iaQDHxomby— 🦊LilyEvans🦊 (@🦊LilyEvans🦊)1515118364.0
Lily, understandably, didn't like this question...
Now, as a woman, I don't like that question. First of all, I'm walking my dog, so it's already pretty clear that I… https://t.co/IXj5fUzbPi— 🦊LilyEvans🦊 (@🦊LilyEvans🦊)1515118446.0
Others agreed that this question would also be a red flag for them.
@LilyEvansMFC Oh wow. That is a horrible encounter. I don't mind small talk, but saying that would be a big red fla… https://t.co/pZgjbuzX86— Dude Named David (@Dude Named David)1515136071.0
This is where it starts to get really weird...
About 200 yards away, I paused to let Echo sniff some stuff and text a friend. "Hey, I thought you were going home?… https://t.co/OBMpt0hRSS— 🦊LilyEvans🦊 (@🦊LilyEvans🦊)1515118561.0
The conversation quickly turned from uncomfortable to scary.
He asked me where I lived. This made me uncomfortable, so I lied and said I live a neighborhood over. He said he'd… https://t.co/fiNdYrfAr3— 🦊LilyEvans🦊 (@🦊LilyEvans🦊)1515118627.0
People started to react to Lily's story...
And let's just say that many of them were very angry.The stranger then started asking Lily some extremely invasive questions about where she lives.
He asked if I have family around. I said no. And then he asked me if I live alone. So now a strange man, over 6 fee… https://t.co/1ijMu57rvY— 🦊LilyEvans🦊 (@🦊LilyEvans🦊)1515118744.0
Luckily, Lily didn't live alone, but that didn't stop her from feeling terrified.
and now he knows that I have no family in the area to check in on me. And now he wants to know if I live by myself.… https://t.co/HggfHd34qc— 🦊LilyEvans🦊 (@🦊LilyEvans🦊)1515118827.0
At this point, many Twitter users started chiming in to speculate why Lily had given away this information to a total stranger.
@LilyEvansMFC @StrawberriCurls I'm sorry but I had to stop reading halfway through, why did you tell a stranger any… https://t.co/emUGb6cAac— CoCo got da Juice (@CoCo got da Juice)1515211029.0
Others were quick to come to her defense.
@LilyEvansMFC Guys: to this point in the story, there is no visible difference between a chivalrous dude looking ou… https://t.co/lAkbu6Yvd9— Truman (@Truman)1515289805.0
Back to the story, and the stranger asks Lily for a hug. Yikes.
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 aro… https://t.co/5h6gQvnuve— 🦊LilyEvans🦊 (@🦊LilyEvans🦊)1515118908.0
People couldn't believe what they'd just read.
@LilyEvansMFC I would have been screaming. That is so scary.— Jazzy 🥳🇺🇲🌊 (@Jazzy 🥳🇺🇲🌊)1527578288.0
When he finally let her go, Lily was left fear-stricken.
Finally he let me go and I dashed across the street with my dog, even though the crosswalk timer was nearly up. All… https://t.co/aqL1G3ImLI— 🦊LilyEvans🦊 (@🦊LilyEvans🦊)1515118971.0
And she obviously couldn't walk home the way that she had intended to in case the creep tried to follow her again.
I had to take an alternate route home, in the dark, constantly checking behind me to make sure I wasn't being follo… https://t.co/Hn8MFHjsG1— 🦊LilyEvans🦊 (@🦊LilyEvans🦊)1515119036.0
After her awful experience, Lily explained that the effects of the events span way further than just that night.
So now I need to plan a new dog walking route, and I have to be even more wary than usual after dark (which comes a… https://t.co/S1LEqB1VxH— 🦊LilyEvans🦊 (@🦊LilyEvans🦊)1515119165.0
Sadly, Lily also said that this isn't the first time that she's felt frightened because of a stranger.
I've experienced this over and over and OVER, and yet I STILL try to give people the benefit of the doubt because I… https://t.co/cTrKQfDl7h— 🦊LilyEvans🦊 (@🦊LilyEvans🦊)1515119242.0
She was also quick to emphasize that this man didn't look stereotypically "weird."
This man didn't look scary, or creepy, or weird. Our interaction started perfectly pleasantly. So next time a woman… https://t.co/qp8qNnh7CY— 🦊LilyEvans🦊 (@🦊LilyEvans🦊)1515119346.0
But, unfortunately, the night's events didn't actually end there...
Oh, and on my way home, another man stopped me and told me I had better "watch my figure". I assume this is because… https://t.co/kfN7LDHm3i— 🦊LilyEvans🦊 (@🦊LilyEvans🦊)1515119411.0
The main message of the thread was to highlight how dangerous trying to be polite to strangers is.
So yeah. I'm at home shaking now, hoping that man didn't follow me home. Hoping he doesn't really see me around a l… https://t.co/dnGw8jUrr6— 🦊LilyEvans🦊 (@🦊LilyEvans🦊)1515119550.0
And she also raised another good point.
And for thos eof you saying "wow he's creepy": you're correct! He IS creepy! And I had NO WAY OF KNOWING whether he… https://t.co/FONWs1odKd— 🦊LilyEvans🦊 (@🦊LilyEvans🦊)1515119706.0
Lily also addressed that being "rude" will be her way of staying safe in the future.
And for those of you telling me to "stay safe" and protect myself: being "rude" IS a way of staying safe and protec… https://t.co/oPNp8BzxGL— 🦊LilyEvans🦊 (@🦊LilyEvans🦊)1515119776.0
Finally, she rounded off the thread with a message to "butthurt" men.
So next time you wanna get butthurt about it, try and consider WHY she might be acting that way. Consider that if s… https://t.co/Kj1YbClJPg— 🦊LilyEvans🦊 (@🦊LilyEvans🦊)1515119841.0