An Interesting Encounter

Good morning, Readers!

Image courtesy of newschoolers.com. Click for link.

So, this is going to be a story time.  Take a seat.

This morning, I walked to work.  Not an unusual occurrence.  I usually walk to work  It is an hour long walk, so I tend to wear shoes that permit me to walk long distances in relative comfort.  Sneakers.  I was wearing an old pair of sneakers.  I have more work appropriate shoes at work, under my desk to change into when I arrive.  I'm a huge nerd, so those work appropriate shoes are a pair of black flats that the Amazing Flatmate hand painted with the N7 logo from Mass Effect.

I also happen to be wearing a really lovely knee-length black and white satin dress, with my hair in an up-do, and, unusually for me, jewellery (necklace, earrings, ring, the lot).

Anyway....

I'm roughly five blocks from work, motoring along, when I feel a tap on my shoulder.  I look, and a young man is indicating for me to take out my ear buds.  Thinking that perhaps he needs help, or I dropped something, I took out an ear bud and he said, "That dress?  With those shoes?  Really?"

My brain immediately began to sass, but I had a good, long sleep yesterday and my mouth had a little more control.  Still, it went something like this:

---

Him

That dress?  With those shoes?  Really?

Brain

Well excuuuuuse me, Mister What Not to Wear.  Is my practical shoe choice bothering your dainty eyes, is it?  Has my appearance insulted your sense of aesthetic?  Let me break it down for you, fucktard, it's an hour long walk into work.  I'm not walking an hour in heels.  You should just be grateful I shaved.  Also, fuck off.  I'm busy.  I'm on my way to work.  I don't have time for this shit.

Mouth

Well, I have to get to work somehow.

Him

Where do you work?

Brain

That's not really your concern, is it?  Like I'm going to tell you.  Christ!

 Also, fuck off.  I'm busy.  I'm on my way to work.  I don't have time for this shit.

Mouth

Just up the way.

---

I put my earbud back in and walk as quickly away as I can.  I'm busy.  I'm on my way to work.  I haven't the time for this.

To the lad's credit, he didn't actually come off as creepy.  I wasn't weirded out or scared.  Just mildly irritated.  For the gentlemen, women wearing clothes is not an invitation for your comments.  We actually don't care what you think of our attire (unless we're dressing up for a night out with you or something, in which case, we do care).  If you feel the need to interrupt a woman's day to comment on her attire, here's a tip:

Don't.

Just don't.  She's busy.  She doesn't care, and she doesn't have the time for it.  Just leave her alone.  Let her get on with it.

​In short:

This shirt. I want it.

There's usually a giant fucking clue as to her availability to talk to you, as well.  I'll help you suss it out.  Is she looking at her phone?  Is she reading a book?  Does she have fucking earbuds in?  LEAVE HER ALONE.  These are all visual clues that tell you she doesn't want to talk to you.

Don't take it personally.

She doesn't want to talk to anyone.  She just wants to go about her business - waiting for the bus, grocery shopping, walking to work, whatever it is she's doing - and not be disturbed. M'kay?

M'kay.

Now I have work to do.

​Ciao!