Your life andsafetyare no joke, so it’s always best to err on the side of caution. One studyshowsthat nearly two-thirds of women have experienced street harassment. So, first impressions are certainly important when it comes to staying vigilant. Nobody’s denying that. However, they’re not always accurate. In some cases, you can wildly misinterpret a stranger’s character and intent just because they happen to be in your vicinity.To that end, some of the men on the internet took to r/AskReddit and spilled the beans about thebiggestmisunderstandings they’ve been in, where someone wrongly labeled them ascreeps. Scroll down to read all about their awkward and embarrassing stories.This post may includeaffiliate links.
Your life andsafetyare no joke, so it’s always best to err on the side of caution. One studyshowsthat nearly two-thirds of women have experienced street harassment. So, first impressions are certainly important when it comes to staying vigilant. Nobody’s denying that. However, they’re not always accurate. In some cases, you can wildly misinterpret a stranger’s character and intent just because they happen to be in your vicinity.
To that end, some of the men on the internet took to r/AskReddit and spilled the beans about thebiggestmisunderstandings they’ve been in, where someone wrongly labeled them ascreeps. Scroll down to read all about their awkward and embarrassing stories.
This post may includeaffiliate links.
Teacher here. Went to a retail store and was standing in line. There was an 8th/9th grader a few people ahead of me paying for school supplies with coins and she had to make a decision of what to keep and what to put away because she didn’t have enough moneyWalked up and said I would pay because I taught at a local school (I still had my badge on.) The girl was happy and said thank you, but the looks the cashier and other people gave me in line were like daggersI heard murmurs about how it was weird and the cashier said nothing to me when she rang me out.I was mad at first, but I’d do it again. If kids can’t afford what they need to not fall behind I don’t care what random people think.
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I “followed” some girls my age. They were driving and so was I. They took random turns for a while to confirm that I was following them however they drove right to my cul de sac.When I stopped and they confronted me, I just opened my garage door and went inside. Kinda understandable, but if a stranger really is following you, don’t stop and talk to them.
I tripped and fell on a sidewalk. When I got to my knees, a woman in a skirt was standing over me asking if I needed help. When I first looked up, I was looking at her underwear. Another woman yelled at me “What kind of a pervert are you, looking up women’s skirts like that!” The woman in the skirt came to my defense and helped me up. She told off the other woman, “Can’t you see he fell? His hands are bleeding!“Still, other people there gave me the hairy eyeball. The woman in the skirt insisted on helping getting my hands attended to. I was terribly embarrassed, but she wasn’t bothered one bit. I was 22 at the time. I was very conscious when walking on that sidewalk after that.
Meanwhile, 25% of male respondents reported that they had been street harassed. The most common form of harassment they experienced was homophobic or transphobic slurs.
Usually just being a father of a young kid at the playground, birthday party, or other function is enough. Mom’s stare at you assuming the worst, when really you’re just trying your hardest to be a part of your kids life.
I was in the dorm elevator riding down from floor 12 and the elevator stopped at floor 8. Two girls were waiting for the elevator and one looked at me and said to the other “uh, that’s creepy. There’s some guy in there.”Pretty weird that someone else would ride an elevator, eh?
In my freshman year, my High School as going to charge me a a predator for showing sign of Sexual harassment. What did I do?A girl was talking down about herself during math period, when the bell rung, I caught up to her and told her “Hey, just want to let you know that you’re beautiful, and all the stuff you said about yourself isn’t true. You are amazing and I hope things get better”. Then we left the classroom.Apparently, the substitute teacher heard me say this and reported it to main office. 2 days later, I am called into the Dean’s office and was told that calling a girl you don’t know Beautiful or Pretty is Sexual Harassment, and that is a sign that I am a sexual predator.Thankfully it didn’t go any further, cause the social workers said they would interview other female students I am seen with most often, and they all stood up for me or was confused why they would ask that. But it still pisses me off when I remember.
The Darrigo and Diaz personal injury law firm suggests that if yoususpectthat someone may be following you while you’re driving in the city, try making four right turns. If the car you were suspicious of is still behind you, it’s almost guaranteed that it’s following you.Meanwhile, if you’re on the interstate, try exiting it and getting back on. It’s very suspicious if the person in the car behind you does the same. Alternatively, try slowing down for a few minutes to check if the other driver mimics you. If they don’t pass you, it’s a red flag.
The Darrigo and Diaz personal injury law firm suggests that if yoususpectthat someone may be following you while you’re driving in the city, try making four right turns. If the car you were suspicious of is still behind you, it’s almost guaranteed that it’s following you.
Meanwhile, if you’re on the interstate, try exiting it and getting back on. It’s very suspicious if the person in the car behind you does the same. Alternatively, try slowing down for a few minutes to check if the other driver mimics you. If they don’t pass you, it’s a red flag.
Because I’m not sexually attracted to anyone. They insisted that if I’m not attracted to adult men and women, then I must be attracted to child boys and girls, because apparently to them being a p*dophile was more reasonable than being asexual.
Standing quietly behind someone in a grocery store, reading a book on my phone and listening to music in my earbuds. She eventually taps my arm and tells that “you’re not fooling anybody so stop staring at her!” Apparently asking why would I be staring at her was the wrong thing to ask and she went off on one, fortunately the cashier and the two older ladies stepped up for me. Shout out for the one saying " no he’s got a point why would any one waste a second glance on you, your so bland your just background like furniture in a chip shop” which I don’t truly get but sent her nuclear before a manager asked her to leave.
I had a professional quality camera (this was back before cameras were on cellphones) and was seemingly taking pictures of kids at a playground. Thankfully it was a digital camera and I could show the police that were called that I was taking pictures of my own son for his grandparents.
The best way to react if you’re being followed while driving is to remain as calm and cool as possible. Your goal is to remain in control andsafe. You should not indicate to your stalker that you know that they’re following you. Nor should you drive home: you don’t want to lead them to where you live. Instead, drive in a different direction. Preferably, somewhere well-lit and crowded.Meanwhile, if you feel that you are in danger, call the police or head to the nearest station. Call the authorities anyway, even if you’re not 100% sure if the threat is real. It’s always better to be safe. The police will instruct you on what to do next.
The best way to react if you’re being followed while driving is to remain as calm and cool as possible. Your goal is to remain in control andsafe. You should not indicate to your stalker that you know that they’re following you. Nor should you drive home: you don’t want to lead them to where you live. Instead, drive in a different direction. Preferably, somewhere well-lit and crowded.
Meanwhile, if you feel that you are in danger, call the police or head to the nearest station. Call the authorities anyway, even if you’re not 100% sure if the threat is real. It’s always better to be safe. The police will instruct you on what to do next.
I was sitting on a chair in the hallway, head in my hands staring at the floor, just found out my Aunt died. Just thousand yard staring stuck in thought eyes unfocused.girl in class walks over standing in front of me while on her phone. Notices me and freaks out accusing me of staring at her feet.was known as the creepy feet guy for a few months after that…..
I struggle to speak and that used to get me labelled creepy. then i lost a bunch of weight and now it’s just considered shyness. crazy how that works.
I’m a lifeguard, someone got mad I looked at them when there in the water, it felt like I was in a onion article.
Changing my daughter in the women’s restroom because it was the only one with a changing table.
I once got home at about 3 am, and parked my car in my parking spot about 2 blocks from my apartment. I was walking home, alone on the street except for one girl who was ahead of me on the sidewalk. I guess she felt uncomfortable, so she started running, but she was a slow runner. I kept walking at the same speed, which was not particularly fast.Apparently, we were neighbours because she ran all the way to my apartment building and ran inside, slamming the door to the elevator room behind her. I felt kind of bad, I decided to take the stairs. I lived on the second floor anyway.Turns out we lived on the same floor, and the elevator opened up right as I was walking out of the stairwell. Did my best not to make eye contact and walked away from her to my apartment. She was clearly panicking though.Always wondered what I should’ve done different. I feel like if I had called out to her to let her know I wasn’t a r*pist that wouldn’t have helped.
Back in high school I found out through the grapevine a girl had been saying I was a creep because I “stare at her all the time.” I literally didn’t know this person even existed or had ever heard their name until that moment.
I was eating at a restaurant when I noticed that a group of my friends were also eating at the restaurant at another table.I gave a brief smile over because I tend to smile when people are hanging out or there’s affection taking place in front of me.But a woman accused me for creeping on the one girl in that group of friends as if I was trying to get that girls attention.I was a teenager. A simple smile and acknowledgement of being happy that other people are hanging out gets you labeled a creep 🤷🏻♂️.
I smiled and waved at a toddler (who waved at me) in target, the toddler was immediately scooped up and the the mom mumbled “what a creep”, for context I’m a father of two an had diapers and a paw patrol player in my cart.
I took my younger brother to a trampoline park (I’m in my 20s and he’s 8). He accidentally jumped near one of the younger kids and they started crying. This kids mother was nowhere near him and I went over to ask if he needed any help, if he was ok and where his parents / guardian was. He was very distraught and didn’t answer but when his mom finally did show up, she gave me this look that just screamed “get away from my child” and snapped at me saying “I can handle it.” Mind you she didn’t show up for at least a minute while this kid was screaming and I was trying to find who this kids guardian was.I totally understand stranger danger as a young child and being careful, and I know parents can be protective of their children. However, I was leaning down next to him with my younger brother with me making sure he was ok. If I was a woman, this probably would have gone differently. It is what it is I guess.
When I was around 23-24 I used to play/teach kids how to play basketball at a local park. Kids middle school aged. Some boys (as a joke) started saying I was a p*do.I stopped playing with those kids shortly after. I honestly have avoided playing basketball near kids at a park ever since.My wife thinks I’m being ridiculous because it’s been around 8yrs since then, but I’m honestly still scared. I avoid kids all together other than my nephews these days.
When I was in high school at a fair I had a middle school girl “hit” on me and ask me out, my simple response was “you’re too young to date and I’m too old for you.” An older lady at the fair tapped me on the shoulder to tell me I’m a creep for talking to a young girl.
I got called out as a creep because I walked with my dog near a kindergarten, I was just out walking with the dog and the kids ran to the gate (they couldn’t get out to me and the dog) and wanted to pet my dog through the fence, my dog loves kids so I let them, after a few minutes one of the teachers or what they are called came and told the kids to get away and told me that it was inappropriate and creepish behavior.Since then I never go near kids or kindergartens.
I worked in a childcare. That was enough for some people.I told people I was an education major.Having a beard and wearing. Glasses.
I got banned from a fashion sub for saying someone’s thigh-highs were excellent (they had a blood splotch pattern that genuinely looked sick). I asked why and the mod said, “you know why, creep” and then blocked me from contacting the mods.People are real quick to be a******s. But also, they didn’t know me at all and their bad take isn’t a reflection of me in any way. Nor is it a reflection on the serious and overwhelming problems women have with creeps.
I once helped a girl take off her wetsuit when I was 15. She asked since she wasnt able to fix it herself and she was freezing.Next thing I know, around 15 girls from around 14 years old are calling me creep. I was stuck with them for a whole week being the only guy in that group, so yeah, that was a great experience at sailing camp. Did a great job to my self-esteem for the next 6 years. They treated me like c**p for the whole week while I did nothing wrong.
So I used to have this canvas in the back seat of my car that was designed so my dog could ride with me and not slip down on the floor and it would also wrangle her hair and help keep it from going everywhere.I went on a date with a girl that I’d already met and when she saw the canvas in the back of my car she refused to get in because she thought I was trying to mrder her and use that to wrap up her body.I just said “Okay, sorry for making you feel that way, I assure you I wasn’t ever going to try and mrder you.” and then I never pursued her romantically again.
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I was sitting in the park, watching my son play on the swings.
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Because i was too quiet.
Hanging out with my best friend (a girl) a lot. Ended up at a party with her and another girl was saying to another person there how creepy I am for “following my friend around all the time.” I was just kind of like “the f**k?” in my head and was gonna let it go, but my friend also heard this and called her out was like “He isn’t? He’s my best friend and we hang out a lot” or something along those lines. I didn’t really care but it was nice that she backed me up. Oddly enough, months later I ended up very close with the girl who called me creepy and we’re good friends now lol.
Was waiting OUTSIDE of locker rooms after a play bc my friend needed my help and one of the theater kids accused me of being a creep and looking into the locker rooms even tho I was turned away from both doors and clearly holding my friend’s s**t for her.
I said hi! To random stranger.
Said my eyes “bugged creepily out of my head” like wtf 😭.
Smiling at kids having fun. Why when other people do it- it’s acceptable, but when I do it I get stared at. Weird people. Those people that judge me should be judged because the naughty thing is the first thing on their mind.
This one’s a bit different but a girl I was seeing admitted to having a a really big daddy kink and she wanted to explore it, but I’m talking like full blown incest. I found it a little weird but I didn’t want to embarrass her especially after she worked up the courage to share it. We talked about and she explained what turned her in about it and we agreed to do a little role play. The day came and we did our thing, and despite being a little weirded out about it I tried my best to get into it because I wanted her to enjoy it. Basically I was trying to be as supportive as I could and leaned into the scenario which she seemed to really enjoy at the time.A few days later she started being really short with me and kept making up excuses to not hang out. Eventually when I asked her what was going on she said I was a little too into the fantasy and it creeped her out/made her wary. 💀.
My wife and I are the primary care for her sister since their parents are not very good at parenting. We are mid twenties and her sister is middle grades. The looks I get whenever I take her anywhere is astonishing. Never had anyone openly try and intervine yet.
I’ve worked sales jobs the past 15+ years. I have a pretty good memory and sometimes remember “small/insignificant” things about people or parts of conversations we’ve had. I’ve many times been looked at like a weirdo/creep for remembering intricate details about something they forgot or didn’t realize the told me ect..
Just talking to a girl to get to know her as a friend and she told everyone I was stalking her and harassing her💀.
Asked a girl out to dinner.
My social anxiety was pinging at a baseball game, while being introduced as a new friend to the group. I didn’t talk much and was hyper-vigilant. After the game, the one guy i knew said the group thought i was creepy and sad. He stood up for me (he said). I’m still cool with him a decade later, but his friends were whack.
Apparently army crawling while in fourth grade. Someone accused me of looking up their skirt when I was like 15 feet away from them. Then all the girls had a meeting and I was labeled a creep. Thankfully summer break happened, but that girl still hated me for middle school and highschool.
I deal with back pain and was stretching on a fairly empty train platform (bending downward, bringing my fingertips to my toes). My back was really tight this day, and I got a really deep, satisfying stretch. As I’m slowly raising up out of the stretch, I must have been making an odd face because a woman 30 feet away shot me a disgusted look and mouthed “gross” to herself.
I was sitting in a chair in my friend’s living room minding my own business and contributing the the conversation when I had something to add. The conversation was basically small talk. Apparently that made a girl in the room think I was “creepy.”.
I’m an average 30ish yo male. I’m pretty clean cut and most would consider me conventionally attractive. Well, I used to park in a nice neighborhood on the outskirts of downtown Seattle, then take the bus in to town 2 miles away. I got back to my car one day and my battery was dead. I had jumper cables and my hood up ready to go, and I approached this lady who I’ve seen many times around her house in the morning over the 4+ years I’ve parked there, and asked her very nicely if she could help my jump my car. She said “I don’t have jumper cables” and I said “oh, no problem, I have some.” Then she said “well, I uh, I can’t, I just can’t.” And I said “well it would be really easy, your car is already facing mine and you can just pull up and-“ and then she blurted out “I JUST CANT YOU CREEP, STOP BOTHERING ME OR I’LL CALL THE COPS.” So I was like “woah, okay, no problem, not necessary at all.” So I just called an Uber and came back with my wife later that night to jump the car. It honestly felt really weird and dirty to be called that when I genuinely had good intentions and thought she may be neighborly.
Offered a ride on a first date.
She hit on me and I told her I had a girlfriend.She was pretty drunk, to be fair.
I am a manager, I had my team lead say it was creepy that I went to apologize to one of our female employees because they only speak Spanish and mine is very limited and while we were talking she asked about my family and I said Hermosa instead of Hermana and I was worried she would think i was creeping on her.
A coworker labeled me a creep because I said I liked women who are shorter and younger than me. She said it’s probably because I want a naive, weak woman who’s easy to control.
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