The thread about going out the first time got me thinking about my most terrifying experience when out dressed. It was only my second or third time out.
I stepped out at about 10 pm, again just to be out dressed. I walked out of my apartment to the local supermarket about 2 blocks away. I was still quite nervous as I was very inexperienced. I didn’t buy anything in the supermarket as my goal was to be out, and I really didn’t need anything. After walking up and down the aisles for a few minutes, I started to walk home.
While walking home, I became aware of the fact that there was someone walking behind me. I couldn’t tell who it was, and all of a sudden I started to get very nervous. For the first time in my life, I started to become afraid. My mind started racing with all sorts of thoughts of being assaulted or worse. I immediately felt vulnerable. I got to my front door, and still couldn’t quite see who was coming up behind me. All of a sudden I heard a loud stomping noise while fumbling with the key, and I immediately jumped and did a 180 degree turn in the air to see what was up. It turned out to just be a young woman who must have just stomped a bug or something. She was about was 30 feet behind me and just continued walking down the street. The whole incident lasted only a couple of minutes though it did seem like eternity. While fumbling with the key, my mind was definitely racing with thoughts that someone was getting ready to grab me from behind. After I got inside, I had to pour myself a stiff drink to calm down.
That experience was a huge eye opener for me. As a guy, I have never felt frightened or scared (and still don’t). I’ve always been quite confident in my ability to look after myself. However, being out as a woman I felt completely vulnerable and exposed. Would I be able to fend off an attacker or run in my heels? It was a shocking realization of what many women must feel at times. Though I am confident and comfortable going out as a woman now, I find myself much more aware of things when dressed. As a woman, I pay much closer attention to where I park my car, where I go, who is around, etc. Dressing as a woman in public has given me a perspective that I don’t think could ever have gotten without the direct experience.
So girls, do any of you have any scary experiences that you wish to share?