1. I went for a run through the woods near my flats as it was getting dark. I passed 3 guys & each of them stood to the side, let me pass & smiled with their best “I’m definitely not a predator” smiles.
2. Now, I don’t want men freezing and panic smiling at women forever, but I also wanted to say cheers fellas
3. It was a small thing, but it really did make my run less stressful. Usually I would have run a different route to avoid passing them at all, or I would have been nervous as I approached & passed them (headphones out, eyes down).
4. But just letting me pass, saying “alright”, & smiling at me (not leering, just a quick nod), changed the script. It was strange & id not realised how much I alter how I run / behaviour when I see a man on his own.
5. I have been flashed on that route before & I’ve shouted at while running many times, so I am a bit jumpy. It’s sad that these fellas have been tarred with the same brush & it must be horrible thinking women are scared of you when you’re just out walking the dog
6. But, I really appreciated their efforts to recognise that I could be nervous around them & just making a bit of space for me on the path. Cheers fellas, whoever you are! Top work.
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