I do not know you and yet you insult me with your comments. I believe i was respectful to the plight of women and to the conditions that are often unfair under which they presently live. I think I acknowledge the situation exists and almost apologize for the guys who go a step or so too far in their comments.
My socioeconomic standing and possessions have no bearing on my perspective, nor do I need to be a pauper to have eyes and understanding.
I do not live in Manhattan, mistake on your part. Had you read better you would see i commute to NYC from the suburbs. I was born in Brooklyn in a rather heavily populated Black and hispanic area. The area was definitely middle class to lower middle class women who are shapely were a daily sight to me and part of my normal day. Correct I am not female I am a human being and I posted as a Human Being not as a gender. Though I have friends and family who are women and it would bother me if someone went over the line of good taste while they were about this business on the street
The video concentrates on specific certain areas, from the land marks i see, she crisis crosses 125th street 3 times looking for a certain element and she found such a test element. She at later on is on 42nd street west, past the bus terminal at night. no offense but that area over to the water is well known as the late night place to get a BJ.
So she cruses a known pick up place and gets hit on. I can only truly comment on this Video not the situation women must face daily in what ever country / city they exist in. I walk pass 125th street daily and I end my days on 42nd street to catch my train home. I have worked in NYC for over 20 years. So when I say this video is slightly off center of the truth. I in no was say it did not happen, only the lady specifically went to certain areas and walked up and down till she received the effect she was after.
In no way do I retract my original statement that every meeting / beginning often starts with a Hi; or a Hello. Very often a Hi; or a hello is just that. Please Do not judge all guys by the errors or omissions of sense a few.
Respectfully submitted Ro.
Having re-read your original post, and the one to which you were replying, I do think I misunderstood you, and I apologize. However, I wrote nothing that was an insult. While the misunderstanding did lead me to chastise you, I did not call you names, did not say anything untrue, and did not malign your character. I simply spoke to the misunderstanding I had that you thought the video was staged. Now I understand you really meant to say you thought the video was slanted.
You are right, I did forget your reference to getting the commuter train, but to be honest, that alone wouldn't mean you live in the suburbs. When I was in culinary school, I also worked overnight, and couldn't get up early enough for the much longer (but much cheaper) commute by subway, so I took the light rail in and the subway crosstown every day.
As for your socioeconomic status, it is relevant because you made it relevant by bringing it up. We are not in the same demographic, period. My NYC is not the same as yours. First of all, I
lived there for almost three decades, and continue to make regular trips there, to maintain my family's home and visit my nieces and nephews. My church is a few blocks from one of the places she passed. At one point, she wasn't far from the first movie theater I ever took my brother. And as for blowjobs on the deuce, this isn't 1994. Port Authority cops, NYPD, and the families drawn to Disney's overhaul of the area have pushed prostitution all the way over to the water for the most part. Gotta go at least to 10th Ave. The last time I even personally saw a drug deal over there I think Clinton was in office. I don't visit for the day five days a week. When I am in New York, I am home. A commuter's NY is not the same as a resident's.
So, is the video skewed? Well, she did go to places where there are more people loitering. Loitering men are more likely to just spit game at passersby. Men who actually have some place to be are less likely, in my experience, but it's not unheard of to be harassed by a busy dude either.
Your request that all men not be judged by the actions of street harassers is not something I can honor. Because men are generally bigger, stronger, and faster than I am, AND I have been forcibly detained by some men in the pursuit of my attention, kidnapped by one because he didn't like it when I was assertive, and followed around by many others who had unknown intentions, you must all be kept at arms length until you prove yourself harmless. What other approach do you think I can safely take? The fact is, BECAUSE of those other men, you're a potential threat until I believe otherwise. There is nothing you alone can do about that. Tremendous societal changes would have to occur.
To be clear, a greeting is not harassment on its own. No. But the reason so many women ignore yours is likely the same reason I ignore many friendly greetings I get in the city. Too often, when I do not feel like talking, responding to a nice greeting leads to interactions I never wanted, and have no time for. If there seems the least chance of detention, I pretend I heard nothing and keep it moving. There is no option, if I want to protect myself and adhere to my agenda which I always prioritize above some rando's agenda, but to assume you might be just another one of "those" guys, and keep on keeping on. Believe me, I give plenty of nods, smiles and compliments to strangers if there has been eye contact . And if I am interested in talking to someone, for whatever reason, I likely will. Caution may mean some men are ignored, and all strangers are suspicuous, but it doesn't mean I never meet new people.
