This Woman Avoided A Man Stalking Her By Following A Tip She Read Online

The internet is full of information of all kinds. If there is anything that you want to know, there is a very good chance that, no matter how obscure the piece of information, there is a discourse about it online.

This is very true for information about women, too. The internet is home to a strong community of women who share their tips and tricks for trying to stay safe.

As sad and horrible as it is that women have to resort to reading tips online to try and feel safe for simply existing, it is very important that we do.

"I was in a potentially dangerous situation today. I knew what to do from a previous post on here and the comments I read, and I just want to say thank you."

This post was made by u/aggressivelycanadian.

"It was recently announced that we are going back into lockdown, so we did a final window visit with my grandmother in a neighboring city. I had to use the bathroom before our drive home, so I popped into a mall that was desolate even before COVID times because I knew the bathroom was right at the entrance, down a hallway to the other side of the mall, but still visible from the front doors. Quick and easy."

What should have been an easy, harmless bathroom visit

As I walked in, I passed a man in a yellow mask leaning on the opposite side of a pillar in front of the entrance. I felt him turn towards me as I passed, but I carried on my way.I can’t explain why, but a post I had read on here suddenly popped into my head about a woman who had avoided a man following her. The top comment I had read at the time said to never go into a public bathroom if followed.

Trust your instincts...

I passed the hallway into the main shopping center and saw a dollhouse store to my left. I remembered another comment saying that if you aren’t sure whether or not you are being followed, go into a store that the suspected person would not typically have interest in. Instinct took over, and I turned toward it.There was no one at the counter, so I chose a section of miniatures to admire, all the while eyeing the man in the yellow mask. He casually made his way into the store and came to a stop at the same section, a few feet from me, but looking in my direction.

Chances are, your instincts are right

As the realization sank in, I fought back paralyzing fear and reached for my phone in my pocket. I turned abruptly and quickly walked back toward the exit as the phone rang for my husband, who was waiting out in the car for me.The man in the yellow mask turned and matched my pace toward the exit.

That fear is unparalleled

I can’t explain the mixed feelings of fear, knowing the man was almost within grabbing distance behind me now, and relief when the call connected, and I heard my safe person on the other end of the line.With the phone on speaker, I loudly said, "I am being followed by the man behind me," and without missing a beat, my husband was out of the car and assured me he was coming.

Those two simple tips could have saved this woman

I can’t find the post or remember the usernames of the people whose advice I followed, but thank you. Had it not been for reading that post recently, I don’t know that I would have had the foresight or awareness in the moment to know not to go into that bathroom.

The internet, once again, rallied around. Someone suggested reporting it to security so they can review the footage

PurplishPlatypus:

I'm sorry you had to go through that, and I am so glad you are safe. If nothing else, you should contact security at the mall and tell them what happened. Hopefully, they can review any security recordings and keep an eye out for him.

aggressivelycanadian:

Thank you for your kind words and for this suggestion. I have been wanting to report it, but didn’t know how to with such a vague facial description. I don’t know how I forgot there are cameras. I will follow up with this; thanks again.

Sucks that there isn't a solution where another man does not have to step in, though.

kindadirty13 months ago:

I'm going to add a somewhat similar story in case it could help someone...I walked into my usual cosmetic/hair care supply store about a year ago and noticed a guy talking to the salesperson about the electric shavers positioned behind the counter. It seemed somewhat normal, but I noticed because I had never seen a man in there before.As I was browsing the makeup aisle, I could hear the conversation between this guy and the salesperson. He was rapid-firing questions at her about the shavers, one after another, without giving her time to answer. She was becoming frustrated, but he was relentless. He started insisting that she allow him behind the counter to look more closely at the shavers since she couldn't answer his questions.I went to an area where I was behind him but could make eye contact with the salesperson. She looked at me, and I mouthed, "Are you okay?" She shook her head slightly as she maintained eye contact with me. I pulled out my phone and texted my husband, who was waiting in the car. He shot into the store so fast he left the car running. As soon as the weird guy saw him, he decided he didn't need a shaver after all and left.The salesperson was shaking when I paid for my stuff but thanked me for not leaving. It was near closing time, so she locked the door early and called the police to report the incident. They assured her they would be there when she walked to her car.We have to stick together and be there for each other. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts. And thank goodness for partners who trust our intuition!

Causing a scene is another method

Vmizzle:

I just want to add that you can also honk the hell out of your car horn the second you're around people. Get to the busy shopping center, honk wildly, park while still honking, and get out and scream that the person (who you are now pointing at) is following/harassing you. No creep wants that extra attention and will most certainly bolt the second you bring people's eyes to him.

Another useful tip!

hemaristhysbe:

In grocery, department, or big box stores, go straight for the feminine hygiene aisle. If a man follows you there, find a store employee immediately.

Do you have any words of wisdom to add? Share them in the comments below; you could save someone's life.

Litarider:

Thank you for posting this. A lot of people haven’t been taught how to protect themselves. The more we talk about how to keep safe, the more of us learn.