I used to get bothered all the time on buses -- until one day I learned a trick that for some reason discouraged them. I would pull out a copy of Scientific American. Maybe they thought I was going to hit them with it (though other magazines didn't have this effect), or even scarier, talk science at them.
In fact, in high school I started carrying one around just for this use!
@laurahelmuth Heh. Could be a way to attract female readers. "Getting harassed? Use science to protect yourself!"
The things is, the magazine worked EVERY single time! Dude would stare and get closer -- then back away when the magazine came out. Dude makes a comment, moves off when the title is clear.
I can almost see a commercial. On a public transit bus. A couple of dudes are scared off. Then, she notices a handsome dude sitting in another seat who is also reading a SciAm. They lock eyes. She smiles.
@apenguininspace Heh. I think someone should do a study. Different magazines/journals. Count the number of times men try talking to them. Maybe have a study buddy in another seat surreptitiously record the interactions. And, have a young man on the bus do the same thing as a control.
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