Women Share Moments Men Intimidated Them Probably Without Even Being Aware Of It (42 Stories)
Women live in fear. Whether they're walking home from work in the dark or someone likes every single photo with their face on Instagram in 2 minutes, it usually isn't paralyzing but it's there. And men are the biggest contributors to it.
Recently, Reddit user Honnung posted a question on the platform: "Women of Reddit, what are the things men do that scare you but they don't realize it?"
Many responded, sharing candid stories from their everyday lives.
The answers they have provided might also explain why women develop social anxiety disorder (SAD) nearly twice as often as men. Here are some of the most-upvoted ones.
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When I say I don't like something — like something he said, or did, or joked about — and he says 'you secretly like it :).' That makes my skin crawl and alarm bells start going off. Don't tell women what they like.
As a man I can say this is an enormous red flag. It's a lack of boundaries in my opinion.
Interestingly, this post was actually a preparation for a speech Honnung needed for school. "My friends and I have spoken about the subject many times and thought nothing of it," the Reddit user told Bored Panda. "When I later talked to my boyfriend, he admitted that he and his friends never really thought about it. I have personally been in many situations where men do things that freak me out and I wanted to see what experiences other women have; plus it would be good for men to hear the thoughts we don't really say out loud."
Since releasing the post, Honnung has realized that a lot of women have the same experiences and fears and that this is a really serious topic. They've also learned that many people, especially men, get offended by the fact that women are afraid of seemingly unimportant things. "There were a lot of fights in the comments between men trying to justify their actions and women holding them accountable. I thought it was just a matter of ignorance but I see now there are a lot of people who just straight up refuse to listen."
Blocking my path or physically holding me in place if they are not done talking to me. Basically, using their strength or size to restrict my motion in any way
I have witnessed something like this and knocked the guy out cold. Got smacked in the face by the girl with the bruises on her arm.
According to Jodi Lane, a University of Florida sociology professor, such fears are especially common in women who are domestically abused—if they’re hurt by men they love, they're afraid strangers could hurt them, too. But there are other reasons why women live with more fear than men do.
First, women are scared any crime could lead to rape. "The fear of sexual assault is shadowing every other fear," Lane pointed out. Men are not nearly as likely to be raped as women.
Second, women are physically weaker than men. Women fear they can’t fight off an attacker, especially as they get older.
Third, women are socialized to be afraid. "All the things parents tell their children socialize them that they should be responsible for their own safety," Lane explained. "We socialize girls to be terrified. We socialize boys to be tough."
Telling women to smile
Sorry my smile doesnt work when I'm around controllers. I'm sure I'll smile when you're gone
Honnung believes that the matter of being scared is a little complicated. "I am almost sure that the fear has grown since the Internet became a thing. Women share experiences; stories about men getting into their cars, onto balconies, videos of men just harassing women on the street. And for some, this might just be a quick video you see on Instagram but for many, this is a big warning for what's out there in the world," the Reddit user said. "'And even if this one man won't try to attack me in the street at night, the next one might. Or the next one.' You never know so you generalize and fear everyone."
However, the author of the post thinks that with every generation, the relation between men and women is improving. "We talk more openly and the correct use of the Internet (like with this post) can give women a chance to talk in a (mostly) safe space and a chance for men to listen. For the most part, [it looks like people are ceasing to brush it off] as just 'something that happens' which is a big step in the right direction."
At the end of their speech, Honnung said something Jodi Lane would have really liked: "We have to, instead of just teaching our daughters to be afraid of the world, teach our sons how they can make it safer."
Touching you in any way without permission, even if it seems harmless to you. Unfortunately that happens rather often in retail. Don't touch my shoulder when you talk to me. Don't stroke my hair. Don't caress my hand when you give me your money. Don't touch my ass or my boobs or anything at all! Please respect my personal space. It freaks me out when male strangers come near me and touch me in any way
Thinking 'no' isn't the final answer. Believing that with a little more convincing, I'll say yes. It makes me believe you don't respect me and worries me about how far you will go after I say no.
Any time someone tries really hard to convince me he's a 'nice guy.' Every guy I've met that desperately brings it up every chance he gets isn't usually very nice. It always makes me wonder, what are they trying to hide? Like why do I have to think you're nice? Prove it with your actions, don't tell me repeatedly
Parking right next to my car in a dark and/or empty parking lot. I've had this conversation with several girlfriends, but when I've mentioned it to men they had no idea about what goes through our mind when we see that
Breaking or hitting things out of anger
I had to tell my ex one too many times that I obviously can’t fight him so he should stop approaching me with fighting words and stances. That was the most unattractive thing ever. Fûck did he think I was going to do? Brawl with him? So glad I’m free of that dead weight.
Standing too close. Even without covid, social distancing is a thing. Stay out of my personal space
Catcalling
Yes! Its just uncomfortable and objectifying at best, intimidating at its worst.
Night out in the pub, there will always be one guy commenting that I haven't drunk much. 'Oh you're still on your first glass of wine. You drink slow. Why aren't you drinking' etc.
Why are you counting my drinks? Creepy as f***!
'Jokingly' using your strength to move me or keep me from moving. If I want to go home and you’re pulling me back, I am not actually going along with it. You are stronger than I am and I literally cannot leave
Following you to your car to get your number. Don't. Ever. Do. That.
I had a guy come into the store I worked at and leave within ten minutes. Not even 5 minutes after he left, he had searched me up on Instagram and messaged me, as well as all other social media. He didn’t have my last name and literally sat in the parking lot to search me up and message me. And then he came into the store a lot more to learn what shifts I worked and was ALWAYS THERE. That’s not endearing or cool, it’s creepy and makes me not want to go to work anymore
Hitting on you in locations where you cannot escape (enclosed places like elevators, or workplaces)
Oof. Or when they box you in, like putting one arm against the wall in is intimidating it's like ur potential escape is blocked
Approaching me when I obviously don't want to be approached ie. I have headphones on, I'm on my phone, I'm reading or pretty much any other universal signal of 'I don't want to be disturbed'
Or sitting on a beach watching hubby and the kids playing in the water.
While talking online when I say, 'I don't know about meeting up,' and their response is, 'You are more likely to be [sexually harassed] by someone you actually know in person.' Yup...Not meeting up now
Standing in doorways or blocking exits
That's when I'm ready to press call for the police, and working out how I need to keep safe until I can get out (ie do I need to be aggressive, calm but firm, play along til I'm safe, scream, call police? Which one won't get me killed today)
Flirting is fun so long as you don't 'flirt' by asking me where I live, and if I live alone, and if I know people in the area. If you want to chat, flirt, get to know me? Don't start with the questions that set off alarm bells in my head
Putting your arm on top of my shoulder and around close to my throat. It scares the heck out of me and every other lady I have talked to.
Messaging you on a dating app, commenting that they found your profile and that they are in the same location as you — they can see you, but you can't see them. I had a guy do this on a fully packed train I was on to go to work. I'm not an anxious person, but it felt really uncomfortable
Trying to sleep with me when I am very obviously not interested. When I confront them, they just say, "Can't blame a guy for trying." WTF.
Or call you stuck up for not being thrilled that they are trying to come on to you. Really? When I was younger guys came on to me all the time. I just thought oh the 10th guy this evening. Just get in line behind the others... the chemistry is either there or it isn't. And for God's sake the FB section on do you know this person is not a dating app!!! If I say I'm happily married don't try to just talk to me to be my friend. I'm off the market. I'm not going to chat up strange men online while my husband is sitting next to me on the couch.
Driving really aggressively and having road rage. When I was younger and dating, I had so many experiences as a passenger with young guys who were otherwise normal but really intense and scary when they got behind the wheel. It always seemed like a red flag
I was once in a really horrific car accident with a double blowout. The car started veering suddenly on the road, and that sensation of veering became part of a severe anxiety/PTSD that affects me in cars to this day. I shared this with a boyfriend, because he wanted to know why I was such a nervous passenger. His response was to drive and then start going faster and faster and then swerve the car as though we were going to crash into a barrier. I was hyperventilating, panicking, crying. He didn't understand why I couldn't just see what a funny joke it was. Sadly it took me more months and more red flags to realize I needed to get the hell away from him, but I did eventually.
I've been approached several times in public by random men who say they want to be friends with me. One leaned in really close to have a conversation and asked me where I was from and where I live. Another grabbed my hands and remarked on how soft my skin is. Another one literally locked arms with me and dragged me to a coffee shop to 'get to know me' and then later told me to come with him to a more private place for a view of the city
Revolting. The sort of behaviour I'd expect from a backwards, misogynistic culture.
Slow down their car when I’m walking. Dude, check your phone down the street. Not pulled up next to a woman walking alone. Infuriates me how few men even think of how that looks
I agree for the most part but if someone is receiving a phone call when they are driving, they often won’t pay attention to other surroundings besides the road as they pull over to answer the phone. Could be the only place to pull over for a while, or where they live. I don’t think there is a way of actually knowing but we can’t stop men doing everything.
Common female discussion - Unsolicited nudie pics. Equivalent to those creeps who hide behind the bushes trying to flash you. People need to realize 1 in 4 women have had some kind of [sexuall harassment]. Save it for your partner. Or risk getting blasted or viewed as a weirdo perv.
That makes me annoyed and disgusted, not scared. I'm not afraid of someone's pathetic junk.
When a guy won't give up. He doesn't even have to be physically present. Being an adamant d**k over text is enough to terrorize you sometimes
Wanting to go to a secluded location if I don't know you well. Men on Tinder suggest going on hikes or taking a walk after dinner on first dates. Doesn't even cross their minds that I would not want to be alone with them on a date
Raising their voice in anger. Even if it isn't directed at me. Triggers a flight response. An obvious one I know but I think some men have no idea how scary that is. Also grabbing or hugging me from behind as a surprise. Solid way to trigger a panic attack
99% of people raise their voice when angry. It's kind of supposed to be scary.
The complete inability to see an idea or situation from a woman's perspective. Instantly getting defensive when you mention something men do makes you uncomfortable. "But, but I don't do that!!!" Ok cool, but can you see his this might make someone half your size feel??
Whenever a guy does this I realize they have a serious empathy problem and makes me not want to be around them. What happens if they lose their temper, are intoxicated, etc so their inhibitions are even lower?
No thanks, not worth the risk. Also, I try not to spend time with closed-minded people so that automatically rules them out of my friend group
The "but I don't do that" also ignores the point, which is that there are underlying attitudes, biases, and cultural conditioning that mean a lot of men are not only doing these things, but they don't even seem to realize the things they're doing aren't okay. The "not all men" argument completely disregards that toxic masculinity is a pervasive, systemic issue, not "a few bad apples." If it were just a few bad apples, every single solitary woman I've ever spoken to wouldn't have an entire scroll of creepy/scary past encounters with men.
Once a guy made new social media accounts to search me up after I blocked him, THREE TIMES
I don’t know what he thought would happen by just keep trying. Like I would just go “I love how you stalk me and keep shooting your shot after I’ve blocked you several times! Marry me”??
Can't believe they would be so desperate to make a new social media account just to search you up, disgusting
Uber or lyft drivers who ask me if they're driving me home. You don't need to know that!
Uber drivers who abuse the child lock... Can't tell you how many times I've been sitting there, locked in a car with drivers asking for my number, telling me they'll let me out once they have verified that I gave them my real number .
Strangers complimenting me on my body really freaks me out. I also don't like people commenting on my hair, but that's because I'm ginger and I get a lot of sexualized comments
Getting really intense about our relationship/ friendship really early on. A lot of guys turn women into this kind of fantasy thing that’s supposed to make them whole/ help them change or whatever. Sir I am the main character in my own life, not just a supporting one in yours. When you put that pressure on me right away abs without reciprocation, I know that I don’t actually matter, you’ve been taught that women serve you
Meeting me at my job and asking for my work schedule so they can 'see me more often'
I had a guy from a singles group at church want to volunteer at my school where I taught. Not going to happen. I asked him if he had kids that went there. He didn't. I told him they are not going to let you in the door.....so many really awkward stuff going on there. Not someone I was interested in any shape or form to begin with.
Staring. OHMYGOD THE STARING. It’s not cute, it’s not attractive, I don’t know you like that
Staring from anyone is unsettling, although I must admit that I have stared into space in the direction of individuals. And just my luck that when I realise whats happening, at the same time the person notices me staring their way. So embarrassing.
Calling women beautiful as much as possible. Once or twice is nice, if you know them, but if you don't know the guy and he says it too much, it freaks me out
It makes me think that he's only interested in me for how I look on his arm, and not for my intelligence or companionship. Unfortunately I fell for it once and the guy barely knew me by the time we broke up nearly two years later. He'd tell everyone we met that I'd lived in Africa, but then he'd tell me stop the excuses when I didn't understand an unwritten rule because I grew up in freaking Africa (multiple countries), not Europe.
Feel up on you and go "I'm kiddiiiiiiiingg" and do it again
Had a colleague do that to me while I was carrying a tray full of drinks through an art trade fair on opening day, he grabbed my butt as he walked past me. This was after he'd been 'flirting' with me for weeks, even though he knew I had a bofriend, which only made him ask rude questions about what we got up to in the bedroom, and getting management to put me on his team every single shift. I had to threaten to get him fired to make him stop.
Asking for way too much information. Where I live, who I live with, where I work, what hours I work, Nearly wanting a schedule of my life in order to schedule a date.
Again, women need to be able to cut these conversations off at the start. After the first inappropriate or overly-personal question, they should be confident in saying, "Please stop asking me questions. I don't want to talk to you," and then you stop talking and stop listening. Doesn't matter if you're at work. You tell coworkers you are having a problem. Someone else asks them to leave.
Matching my speed while driving to look in and stare at me
Calling me "sweet" pet-names like "honey" and "sweetheart" in a normal conversation (like at the shopping counter or anywhere else I ask a question or mention something). Most of the time they don't even realize that they start with that and I'm annoyed at it but for some reason it freaks me out when they call me that and I don't know them. IDK why
Liking every single picture with my face on Instagram in a period of two minutes
My sister does that, it's irritating. She does it whether it is a good or bad post, whether she agrees or not with the content.
As a woman, I feel like a lot of these can be applied to both men and women. There have been plenty of times I have been made uncomfortable by other women, especially in college. Don't be an a**hole to people. The End.
oh yeah, plenty of stalky and creepy women on many of these as well
@Gin Marie yeah, no, not likely to happen on this website... whole Bored Panda is about how man are creppy animals and women are fragile fairies, like in every other post... women like this are the main reason we still don't have gender equality in 21st century
Yeah, no. What's with the whataboutism? Go talk about it when the topic isen.
As a woman, when somebody says that, they're likely a troll. Your "feeling" is worthless when these acts have been studied for decades.
Gee thanks for also being a Troll and trying to tell me my feelings aren't valid.
Yeah, no. Troll is not "thing that I don't like". It is specifically someone who forments arguments and such for amusement. Specifically. You're thinking of "ogre". Why not just say "hideous thing for disagreeing with me"? Sound too childish?
Is your point more valid because you're a woman? Vice versa?
Yeah, and reading through posts like these did made me realize I did a couple of these things to guys when I was younger and I have a friend I need to apologize to :(. (straight girl for context). Also, getting up the courage to apologize is hard :(.
As a man this list is sort of a wake up call. No, I don't act like a creeper, no I don't disrespect women. Yes, I have done some things on this list, like asking a woman to smile and hitting on one in an elevator (while I was younger, but still). But I mean a walk up call in how to help women who feel uneasy or even unsafe. This one's a manual how to read a room and act on the ones being weird.
The elevator thing is a bit two sided. On one hand it is an isolated place that is hard to get away from. On the other I have had many brief conversations with strangers in one since it is a place where you are suddenly in close proximity to others and we are all standing around doing nothing. Haven't asked anyone out in one, I'd probably wait until we were disembarking.
There's a difference between having some light conversation in a lift and coming on to someone in the lift.
Thank you for doing a self check. I really dislike someone telling me to smile! My mood and facial expressions are none of your business thanks
A man doesn't need to indicate that he's a man. He's confident enough to give his point of view without begging for permission. Someone who is looking for brownie points, though... Those women you mention, what they need to feel easier and safer is probably, in most cases, therapy. Somehow, these women see men in every shadow they jump at. Yet, they've grown up in a world that is about 50% male. They live next door. They work with them. They are their daughters. Their sisters. And alarmingly, their mothers. How are their sons growing up? Back to reality, mate. Stop fanning the flames. Stop encouraging mental unwellness. And those who truly do fear men for their experiences - something that is definitely a minority of cases - support them in getting the therapy that they need in order to continue to live a normal life. You people who encourage mental unwellness = wolf in sheep's clothing. Abuser adorned as saviour. This all reeks of Stockholm syndrome.
They lumped together genuinely creepy things with mildly annoying moments. Yeah, men often act like total trash, but this post makes it look like women are in the constant state of panic. Most women I know are bold and confident, we aren't afraid of every shadow.
These are not "mildly" creepy. They're threatening and scary. Grow up and just don't do stuff like this.
I said there are genuinely creepy as well as mildly annoying things. Telling somebody to smile is annoying and absolutely uncalled for, but how's that threatening? I don't like it when women painted as constantly frightened insecure victims, that's simply not true.
@Lilith, it's a way to gain power. The example in psychology is in the behaviour of children, when the weaker child is less likely to be able to physically get their way (subjective as opposed to objective justice) they might cry, they might dob, they might lie and manipulate in order to bring the power of authority in to rule and punish in their favour. This is exactly that on an epic scale. This is exactly that only a lot more CREEPY, THREATENING AND ACTUALLY DANGEROUS AND DESTRUCTIVE.
I have a feeling like some women just enjoy making victims of themselves on every occasion so they could constantly complain how men are bad... no wonder that we can't get rid of this patriachal bullshit because who would take them seriously... if you act like a fragile flower don't be surprised they see you that way, if you mark yourself as victim don't be surprised to end up as one
Tell us again how being bold and confident saves us from creeps and violence. Please. Last I checked, not being afraid is a great way to die.
Let me rephrase: Where I live, a serial killer got at least two if not more women who were bold and confident and sure that they knew their path, etc., walked boldly and bravely, and.... The end. So, if fear gets you to learn self-defense and situational awreness and practice it daily, the, yeah, fear is good, IMHO.
Well said!
Fear is a great way to die. It paralyses you or makes you do stupid things. You have to be alert and cautious, but not scared. I don't defend any men's actions described here, they absolutely shouldn't do it, I'm saying that not everything is as frightening as they try to make it sound.
Actually acting like you own your body and space makes you more intimidating to creepy men. Looking like you are too much trouble to bother with could save you.
Maybe it depends on where you life...
*People. People act like total trash. You've got an entire page of women doing it here. People act like trash.
I agree! This post annoyed me.
There is a difference between calculated caution and fear. Even the milder ones may be a reason to have caution, especially if say you're in a bad area at night.
"I know"....."we".....aren't you special.
no, she is not special at all, there are actually shitloads of us everywhere... wanna live like a frightened bunny your whole life? well, that's really your choice...
As a woman, I feel like a lot of these can be applied to both men and women. There have been plenty of times I have been made uncomfortable by other women, especially in college. Don't be an a**hole to people. The End.
oh yeah, plenty of stalky and creepy women on many of these as well
@Gin Marie yeah, no, not likely to happen on this website... whole Bored Panda is about how man are creppy animals and women are fragile fairies, like in every other post... women like this are the main reason we still don't have gender equality in 21st century
Yeah, no. What's with the whataboutism? Go talk about it when the topic isen.
As a woman, when somebody says that, they're likely a troll. Your "feeling" is worthless when these acts have been studied for decades.
Gee thanks for also being a Troll and trying to tell me my feelings aren't valid.
Yeah, no. Troll is not "thing that I don't like". It is specifically someone who forments arguments and such for amusement. Specifically. You're thinking of "ogre". Why not just say "hideous thing for disagreeing with me"? Sound too childish?
Is your point more valid because you're a woman? Vice versa?
Yeah, and reading through posts like these did made me realize I did a couple of these things to guys when I was younger and I have a friend I need to apologize to :(. (straight girl for context). Also, getting up the courage to apologize is hard :(.
As a man this list is sort of a wake up call. No, I don't act like a creeper, no I don't disrespect women. Yes, I have done some things on this list, like asking a woman to smile and hitting on one in an elevator (while I was younger, but still). But I mean a walk up call in how to help women who feel uneasy or even unsafe. This one's a manual how to read a room and act on the ones being weird.
The elevator thing is a bit two sided. On one hand it is an isolated place that is hard to get away from. On the other I have had many brief conversations with strangers in one since it is a place where you are suddenly in close proximity to others and we are all standing around doing nothing. Haven't asked anyone out in one, I'd probably wait until we were disembarking.
There's a difference between having some light conversation in a lift and coming on to someone in the lift.
Thank you for doing a self check. I really dislike someone telling me to smile! My mood and facial expressions are none of your business thanks
A man doesn't need to indicate that he's a man. He's confident enough to give his point of view without begging for permission. Someone who is looking for brownie points, though... Those women you mention, what they need to feel easier and safer is probably, in most cases, therapy. Somehow, these women see men in every shadow they jump at. Yet, they've grown up in a world that is about 50% male. They live next door. They work with them. They are their daughters. Their sisters. And alarmingly, their mothers. How are their sons growing up? Back to reality, mate. Stop fanning the flames. Stop encouraging mental unwellness. And those who truly do fear men for their experiences - something that is definitely a minority of cases - support them in getting the therapy that they need in order to continue to live a normal life. You people who encourage mental unwellness = wolf in sheep's clothing. Abuser adorned as saviour. This all reeks of Stockholm syndrome.
They lumped together genuinely creepy things with mildly annoying moments. Yeah, men often act like total trash, but this post makes it look like women are in the constant state of panic. Most women I know are bold and confident, we aren't afraid of every shadow.
These are not "mildly" creepy. They're threatening and scary. Grow up and just don't do stuff like this.
I said there are genuinely creepy as well as mildly annoying things. Telling somebody to smile is annoying and absolutely uncalled for, but how's that threatening? I don't like it when women painted as constantly frightened insecure victims, that's simply not true.
@Lilith, it's a way to gain power. The example in psychology is in the behaviour of children, when the weaker child is less likely to be able to physically get their way (subjective as opposed to objective justice) they might cry, they might dob, they might lie and manipulate in order to bring the power of authority in to rule and punish in their favour. This is exactly that on an epic scale. This is exactly that only a lot more CREEPY, THREATENING AND ACTUALLY DANGEROUS AND DESTRUCTIVE.
I have a feeling like some women just enjoy making victims of themselves on every occasion so they could constantly complain how men are bad... no wonder that we can't get rid of this patriachal bullshit because who would take them seriously... if you act like a fragile flower don't be surprised they see you that way, if you mark yourself as victim don't be surprised to end up as one
Tell us again how being bold and confident saves us from creeps and violence. Please. Last I checked, not being afraid is a great way to die.
Let me rephrase: Where I live, a serial killer got at least two if not more women who were bold and confident and sure that they knew their path, etc., walked boldly and bravely, and.... The end. So, if fear gets you to learn self-defense and situational awreness and practice it daily, the, yeah, fear is good, IMHO.
Well said!
Fear is a great way to die. It paralyses you or makes you do stupid things. You have to be alert and cautious, but not scared. I don't defend any men's actions described here, they absolutely shouldn't do it, I'm saying that not everything is as frightening as they try to make it sound.
Actually acting like you own your body and space makes you more intimidating to creepy men. Looking like you are too much trouble to bother with could save you.
Maybe it depends on where you life...
*People. People act like total trash. You've got an entire page of women doing it here. People act like trash.
I agree! This post annoyed me.
There is a difference between calculated caution and fear. Even the milder ones may be a reason to have caution, especially if say you're in a bad area at night.
"I know"....."we".....aren't you special.
no, she is not special at all, there are actually shitloads of us everywhere... wanna live like a frightened bunny your whole life? well, that's really your choice...