Thread by @Raja_Sw

To men:
You might be a decent guy, but you're a stranger to women who don't know you. And they'd understandably be wary of you.
Best not try to be familiar, or engage in needless conversation on yr own. Leave women alone. Most women aren't dying to talk to strangers, y'know. :-)

Some things I've learnt from experience.
Way back, in 1985, I was taking the lift at Air India Bldg, Nariman Point. Usually there'd be a long queue, but that day there was just one other woman and me. And, for some reason, there was no lift man.
We both got into the lift. 1/n

I had to go to the 11th, she had to go even higher up. I didn't really look at her, but sth told me she was uncomfortable. I got off at the 11th, and thought about it.
I thought I was a decent guy, so what was she worried about? Then I realised, if I were in her position... 2/n

That's when I realised, what we men take for granted, isn't so simple for women. We men usually don't think twice when we take a lift. Women probably do. They might not want to go up in a lift alone with a stranger. He might be a decent guy, but how do THEY know? 3/n

Since then, somewhat subconsciously, I don't take a lift if the only other person in the lift is a woman for whom I am a stranger. I know myself, but she doesn't know me, right?
I don't want her to be uncomfortable, even for a few seconds.
Just sth I learnt from experience. 4/4

It might seem like I'm overreacting, but that 1985 experience has somehow stayed in my head. Sure, it was a LONG time ago (I was in my 20s :-)), but I don't want a repeat of that incident ever again. For anyone.