Dealing With Harassment

0 Comments

Let's face it, no matter how hard women speak out, there are still parts of the world where harassment is common. From inappropriate gestures, to demeaning compliments, to stalking, solo female travelers face a lot of harassment in parts of the world. And it is scary, and can ruin a trip in many cases. But we can't let them win. We must keep on traveling and pushing the boundaries. So here are some tips on how to deal with harassment in foreign countries.

The best offense is a good defense, so before going to any culture, read about how men treat women and if harassment is common. This will mentally prepare you for the trip but also learn some cultural norms so that you can avoid a stick situation. 

As much as I want to say wear what you want to wear, if you are in a country notorious for harassment, maybe dressing differently is a good idea. You can still wear dresses, but just avoid low cut or short or tight. You can still wear shorts and take tops, just choose a different version. You can still look cute without drawing too much attention. And I never want to blame women for what they are wearing, no that's all on the man. But in a foreign country, sometimes going on the defensive is the better choice to avoid the situation all together. 

If you're getting followed, my best advice is to head into the nearest store and go shopping. Lucky for me in Italy that meant treating myself to gelato. By then, your stalker will usually give up waiting or realize that you caught on. 

Sometimes men will make crude gestures at you and my best advice is to not dignify them with eye contact. You can usually guess what they're doing so just walk past them and don't give them the time of day. This also works for the men shouting profanities at you. A lot of the time they are trying to get a rile out of you because they know you are a tourist. They don't expect their rude remarks to actually work. So just carry on about your day. 

No one wants to mess with someone who looks pissed. And the better the bitch face, the faster they will leave you alone. Besides, these men usually don't like powerful women and are intimidated, which is why they are usually shouting profanities. 

Unfortunately we live in a world where women traveling alone is still relatively new and shocking. And there are some men out there that still objectify women and will do anything to demean you and your amazing adventure. But the key to that is knowing that the only person who can get to you is you. Yes we want to change the world, and we can change the world, but doing it alone in a foreign country is not always the best way. So make a difference by coming home and advocating for women of that country, raise awareness, do something. But you do not have to do it in the moment. Instead focus on going about your day and enjoying the beauty of the country. Because little by little, changes are being made.