this post was submitted on 16 Jan 2026
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[–] whaleross@lemmy.world 43 points 15 hours ago (2 children)

When I used to go out and walk home at night and some lady walking the same way, I'd make sure to walk a little louder and just one step slower than her so the distance was slowly increasing. If she looked anxious I'd even whistle a merry tune or something else ridiculous so she could more easily approximate the distance without having to look around.

My idea was to signal that I am harmless, have no intent of interaction, and finally that there is somebody else around that diminishes the risks of her being jumped by some hidden assailant.

If there was a dude ahead of me that looked nervous or did the stiff muscle up walking I'd happily do the same.

I've always looked a little burly and rarely felt afraid for myself so I'm glad if I can share my privilege.

[–] serpineslair@lemmy.world 67 points 14 hours ago (3 children)

Now I'm just picturing a big guy stomping towards a girl whistling a creepy nursery rhyme increasingly loud. 🀣

/s

[–] ClockworkOtter@lemmy.world 18 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago) (2 children)

Yeah, my partner said whistling is one of the creepiest things men do when behind women, even if it's a relatively innocent song rather than the Jaws theme or something.

[–] serpineslair@lemmy.world 7 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

I usually find it best to stop, look at my phone to increase distance, just slow right down in general. In most cases though, the best thing I find is just simply crossing to the other side of the road, especially as jaywalking isn't illegal where I'm from.

[–] binarytobis@lemmy.world 3 points 4 hours ago

One time I crossed the street to make it absolutely clear I wasn’t following this woman. About 10 seconds later she crossed the street, then looked back and saw me, got startled like a cartoon cat, and sprinted off.

Sometimes things just don’t work out.

[–] CannonFodder@lemmy.world 3 points 10 hours ago

I call someone like my mom and chat. Makes mom happy, and I think sounds pretty safe.

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 7 points 10 hours ago

One...two...thick Freddy's coming for you... πŸ˜‚

[–] Aedis@lemmy.world 13 points 12 hours ago

["The wheels on the bus" intensifies]

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 5 points 10 hours ago

I also try to avoid staying directly behind them so I'm not in too much of a blind spot, and if there's the opportunity to purposefully cast a shadow I'll do that as well.

I don't take offense to it. If someone that was built like me was the only other person around, I'd keep an eye on them also. It doesn't have to be prejudice against them like people always imply in these posts, it's just common sense.