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Woman Says That Situations Normal For Men Can Be Dangerous For Women, Sparks A Debate
It’s hard to imagine a world without a taxi, and more recently without such services like Uber and Lyft. But just as most convenient things, ridesharing has its own downfalls. Recently, a writer from Los Angeles, Jill Gutowitz, shared her unpleasant experiences when taking an Uber ride. Through her tweets, Gutowitz brought light to a much broader issue that people, especially men, don’t often consider. The writer stressed that many situations that seem normal for man can be dangerous for women. Other people quickly chimed in with their stories and opinions. “I wasn’t sure how widespread the issue was until I saw how many women responded to the post saying they’ve had the exact same experience countless times,” Jill told Bored Panda. She continued on saying that the issue was not isolated at all. “I think sexual harassment in Ubers and Lyfts is part of a larger systemic issue, which is a culture of misogyny and sexism” she added. Scroll down below to read the full story and tell us what you think in the comments!
More info: Twitter
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Recently, a writer from Los Angeles, Jill Gutowitz, started a Twitter thread about her experiences with Uber drivers
The writer stressed that many situations that seem normal for man can be dangerous for women
Other women shared their experiences
This immediately sparked a discussion
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What do you think ?
Smoofy 7 years ago
See how Jeff is learning and realizing how his actions affect others and then changing his actions? Lets be more like Jeff everyone.
Night Owl 7 years ago (edited)
I agree. Let's be less like Tim (although I'm sure he had good intentions) and more like Jeff
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Maci Wilcox 7 years ago
I'm a 13 (almost 14) year old girl, and I really hope that things change before I grow up!
Dorothy Parker 7 years ago
Me too, Maci. I think you're as grown up as many people posting here.
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Daria B 7 years ago
The very last reply, of Jeff McIver, about listening and taking people seriously... We really, really, REALLY need more people like him.
BusLady 7 years ago
@Daria B: The question is not why would John care, it's how would he know.
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Dorothy Parker 7 years ago
Highlights for Children lesson for the day: Tim is Goofus and Jeff is Gallant.
Crouching_Penn_Hidden_Teller@yahoo.com 7 years ago
I see a lot of Beavis and Buttheads online too, Dorothy
Load More Replies...
Parmeisan 7 years ago (edited)
"At some point you'll need to be an adult, you DON'T need to play around with ridiculous explanations, lies and stay in a rideshare vehicle that you don't like." -- I would really love to unpack this statement a bit, because it probably seems reasonable to many people. (1/5)
Parmeisan 7 years ago (edited)
If a woman, or anyone who presents as female, finds herself alone with a man who expresses interest in her, it is very important to begin evaluating the safest way out of the situation. Why? Because history is filled with those who did not, or who tried but failed to get away. Why not be afraid of a woman, or be afraid of every man? Many of us are! I would hesitate to get into a vehicle with a strange person of any description. But living life afraid of absolutely everyone is mentally crippling, so maybe we choose to consider the statistical likelihood (or lack thereof) of being murdered or raped by a woman, someone who is very petite or is physically frail, or by a man who is friendly and *should* be concerned by his reputation as a plumber or a cab driver or whatever. (2/5)
Load More Replies...
Esther B 7 years ago
I have been an Uber driver and the male creepy customers were just too much. I felt unsafe dealing with drunks, men thinking I wanted to hang out with them, pulling their d**k out, asking to hold my hand etc etc. It's not the Uber drivers. It's a certain group of gross abusive men. The End
Sivan Bouchami 7 years ago (edited)
We have that in the Netherlands. But it is actually silly that it is needed and used. Women should be able to safely use any taxi. Also as an driver. This women driving women doesn't solve the problem, it might even worsen it in the end. If we start segregating women from men we will end up more as 'mysterious strange sexy creatures, unlike men, from venus' , because they have less contact with us, and will be treated like that instead of equal human beings.
Load More Replies... 
Chicago Kitty 7 years ago (edited)
Some of the best advice I ever received as a woman from an FBI homicide detective: Never under any circumstances let an assailant take you to a 2nd crime scene even if the assailant is armed. Instead- run towards a public area if possible, in a zigzag pattern while screaming "fire". Don't scream "help" scream "fire." People may be afraid or reluctant to help, but many people flock to lookie loo at a fire. Carry police grade pepper spray and keep it in your hand when walking alone. Be alert and keep your head up- this alone will make you a less desirable target. Check around your car from a distance before approaching it and have your car alarm adjust to unlock ONLY the driver's door on the first click. Do NOT keep your house keys on the same ring as your car keys. If you're carjacked you haven't given them access to your home. Also, keys make excellent impromptu weapons. Go for the eyes and the nose, clutch the key in your fist and ram it up the assailant's nose with all you've got
Chicago Kitty 7 years ago (edited)
Very important- Be willing to hurt someone who's trying to hurt you. As women particularly older women- I'm 48- we were taught to be polite, mind our manners & cooperate. Chuck that out the window and fight dirty. You're looking to injure the bastard enough to give yourself time to get to safety. Be willing to be rude- if you feel threatened demand your personal space and pepper spray the person who insists on violating it because they might be about to violate YOU. As the FBI detective told me, it's better to apologize latter than have your family have to identify what's left of you. When facing a possible attacker- continually repeat the word NO not in a pleading please don't hurt me kind of way but in a way that is firm and forceful like you are in charge of the situation. Educate yourself on the ways you can learn and are comfortable using to defend yourself. I know in my heart of hearts what I'm prepared to do - I could shoot a home intruder without batting an eyelash, but
Load More Replies... BusLady 7 years ago
It's disgusting that a man performing a service feels he has the right to speak to a woman customer that way. What gives him the clue that she wants to be picked up by some creepy Uber driver? He might be dangerous, or he might just be a dirty old man. The passenger has no way of determining that. Most women will err on the side of caution.
Si 7 years ago
The civil liberties gap between men and women irritates me more every day. Particularly as most men are entirely oblivious to it.
Car Alarm 7 years ago
It's honestly ridiculous at this point. Men try to act like they're more discriminated against sometimes(?) and it's getting annoying. I agree that men do have some disadvantages because they're often told to act manly as if they can't have feelings. Sometimes boys are told that if they don't have a desire to have sex, then they aren't acting the way they should. Because of this information, some boys try to say that they are more oppressed than women. But guess what? When a boy has gotten raped, you know who defended him and stood up for him? Feminists. You know who laughed and said he should have enjoyed it? Other men. We need to step back and think about who is really the problem here. But yeah that's just my small rant.
Load More Replies... Smoofy 7 years ago
See how Jeff is learning and realizing how his actions affect others and then changing his actions? Lets be more like Jeff everyone.
Night Owl 7 years ago (edited)
I agree. Let's be less like Tim (although I'm sure he had good intentions) and more like Jeff
Load More Replies... Maci Wilcox 7 years ago
I'm a 13 (almost 14) year old girl, and I really hope that things change before I grow up!
Dorothy Parker 7 years ago
Me too, Maci. I think you're as grown up as many people posting here.
Load More Replies... Daria B 7 years ago
The very last reply, of Jeff McIver, about listening and taking people seriously... We really, really, REALLY need more people like him.
BusLady 7 years ago
@Daria B: The question is not why would John care, it's how would he know.
Load More Replies... Dorothy Parker 7 years ago
Highlights for Children lesson for the day: Tim is Goofus and Jeff is Gallant.
Crouching_Penn_Hidden_Teller@yahoo.com 7 years ago
I see a lot of Beavis and Buttheads online too, Dorothy
Load More Replies... Parmeisan 7 years ago (edited)
"At some point you'll need to be an adult, you DON'T need to play around with ridiculous explanations, lies and stay in a rideshare vehicle that you don't like." -- I would really love to unpack this statement a bit, because it probably seems reasonable to many people. (1/5)
Parmeisan 7 years ago (edited)
If a woman, or anyone who presents as female, finds herself alone with a man who expresses interest in her, it is very important to begin evaluating the safest way out of the situation. Why? Because history is filled with those who did not, or who tried but failed to get away. Why not be afraid of a woman, or be afraid of every man? Many of us are! I would hesitate to get into a vehicle with a strange person of any description. But living life afraid of absolutely everyone is mentally crippling, so maybe we choose to consider the statistical likelihood (or lack thereof) of being murdered or raped by a woman, someone who is very petite or is physically frail, or by a man who is friendly and *should* be concerned by his reputation as a plumber or a cab driver or whatever. (2/5)
Load More Replies... Esther B 7 years ago
I have been an Uber driver and the male creepy customers were just too much. I felt unsafe dealing with drunks, men thinking I wanted to hang out with them, pulling their d**k out, asking to hold my hand etc etc. It's not the Uber drivers. It's a certain group of gross abusive men. The End
Sivan Bouchami 7 years ago (edited)
We have that in the Netherlands. But it is actually silly that it is needed and used. Women should be able to safely use any taxi. Also as an driver. This women driving women doesn't solve the problem, it might even worsen it in the end. If we start segregating women from men we will end up more as 'mysterious strange sexy creatures, unlike men, from venus' , because they have less contact with us, and will be treated like that instead of equal human beings.
Load More Replies... Chicago Kitty 7 years ago (edited)
Some of the best advice I ever received as a woman from an FBI homicide detective: Never under any circumstances let an assailant take you to a 2nd crime scene even if the assailant is armed. Instead- run towards a public area if possible, in a zigzag pattern while screaming "fire". Don't scream "help" scream "fire." People may be afraid or reluctant to help, but many people flock to lookie loo at a fire. Carry police grade pepper spray and keep it in your hand when walking alone. Be alert and keep your head up- this alone will make you a less desirable target. Check around your car from a distance before approaching it and have your car alarm adjust to unlock ONLY the driver's door on the first click. Do NOT keep your house keys on the same ring as your car keys. If you're carjacked you haven't given them access to your home. Also, keys make excellent impromptu weapons. Go for the eyes and the nose, clutch the key in your fist and ram it up the assailant's nose with all you've got
Chicago Kitty 7 years ago (edited)
Very important- Be willing to hurt someone who's trying to hurt you. As women particularly older women- I'm 48- we were taught to be polite, mind our manners & cooperate. Chuck that out the window and fight dirty. You're looking to injure the bastard enough to give yourself time to get to safety. Be willing to be rude- if you feel threatened demand your personal space and pepper spray the person who insists on violating it because they might be about to violate YOU. As the FBI detective told me, it's better to apologize latter than have your family have to identify what's left of you. When facing a possible attacker- continually repeat the word NO not in a pleading please don't hurt me kind of way but in a way that is firm and forceful like you are in charge of the situation. Educate yourself on the ways you can learn and are comfortable using to defend yourself. I know in my heart of hearts what I'm prepared to do - I could shoot a home intruder without batting an eyelash, but
Load More Replies... BusLady 7 years ago
It's disgusting that a man performing a service feels he has the right to speak to a woman customer that way. What gives him the clue that she wants to be picked up by some creepy Uber driver? He might be dangerous, or he might just be a dirty old man. The passenger has no way of determining that. Most women will err on the side of caution.
Si 7 years ago
The civil liberties gap between men and women irritates me more every day. Particularly as most men are entirely oblivious to it.
Car Alarm 7 years ago
It's honestly ridiculous at this point. Men try to act like they're more discriminated against sometimes(?) and it's getting annoying. I agree that men do have some disadvantages because they're often told to act manly as if they can't have feelings. Sometimes boys are told that if they don't have a desire to have sex, then they aren't acting the way they should. Because of this information, some boys try to say that they are more oppressed than women. But guess what? When a boy has gotten raped, you know who defended him and stood up for him? Feminists. You know who laughed and said he should have enjoyed it? Other men. We need to step back and think about who is really the problem here. But yeah that's just my small rant.
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