Everyday Things Women Feel Unsafe Doing Alone

Women should feel free to live their lives without fear, but there are certain things many of us have learned to avoid for safety’s sake. Everyday activities like walking alone at night or using public transportation after dark can feel risky for women, even in the most familiar places. Unfortunately, these fears tend to shape how women navigate the world, often making them hyper-aware of their surroundings. Just look at these common things women tend to avoid to protect themselves and feel safer in their daily lives.

Take a walk at night

After the devastating case of Sarah Everard in the UK back in 2021, walking home alone at night is no longer an option. Poor Sarah did all the right things – she walked along a well-lit busy route, covered up, and rang her boyfriend. Yet it still wasn’t enough to stop her killer. Most women throughout the world avoid walking alone at night, especially when living in busy cities.

Have a cab drop us off right outside our home

Many women would rather have their cab driver drop them off around the corner of their home just because they don’t want them to know where they live. If you’ve ever endured a creepy cab ride home, then you’d understand. It’s a standard precautionary measure to safeguard privacy and personal security, especially considering the harassment women face regularly.

Answer the door to unexpected visitors

If you’re not expecting anyone, then it’s undoubtedly a shock when the doorbell goes. Especially when it’s a stranger on the other side. You have no idea what their intentions are. Sure, it may be totally innocent – but these days, you just never know. There are plenty of cases of people who robbed houses and committed atrocities and were let inside the house by the owner!

Make eye contact with strangers

Something as innocent as catching someone else’s eye can elicit an unwanted interaction from a stranger. Women may avoid making eye contact with strangers as a precautionary measure to minimize the risk of unwanted attention or advances, as maintaining eye contact can sometimes be misinterpreted as an invitation for interaction. However, this largely depends on which country you live in.

Smile at strangers

And again, if you smile at someone innocently, they may take it the wrong way and think you want something different. While this isn’t always the case, it does happen. This is why women tend to avoid smiling at people they don’t know and may, at times, appear too severe. For all the men out there, remember that we do this for our safety and not because we are upset at you.

Getting too drunk

If you get too drunk, you never know who may be watching. If you are enjoying a drink, make sure you’re surrounded by people you trust and try not to wind up on your own. It’s always wise to prioritize your safety and well-being by keeping an eye on your alcohol intake and ensuring you have a reliable support system around you in social settings.

Leave drinks unattended

In this day and age, this is a huge no-no. If you leave your drink unattended, then it could potentially get spiked. According to a study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, a large portion of sexual assault cases involve spiked drinks. Therefore, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and never leave your drink unattended to mitigate the risk of such incidents.

Wear clothing that may be ‘too revealing’

Far too often, the woman is blamed for wearing something ‘too revealing’ if they fall victim to sexual harassment. Why not punish the perpetrator, as opposed to the woman? Certainly, victim-blaming is a harmful and pervasive issue that perpetuates a culture of sexual harassment and assault. Blaming the victim, particularly women, for their clothing choices or behavior shifts the focus away from the perpetrator’s actions and places undue responsibility and shame on the victim.

Take a trip by ourselves

There are plenty of solo female travelers. However, many women would rather not risk it and wait until someone is free to go with them. While solo female travelers are increasingly common, it’s understandable that some women prefer the added security of having a companion. Safety concerns, cultural differences, and language barriers can all be daunting when navigating new destinations alone.

Wear high heels

Indeed, the choice of footwear can play a significant role in personal safety. High heels, while fashionable, can hinder mobility and make it more challenging to escape from potential threats. This is why many women opt for flats or more practical shoes when navigating unfamiliar or potentially risky environments. Prioritizing comfort and practicality over style can provide a greater sense of security, allowing individuals to move more freely and react swiftly if needed.

Engage in small talk with a stranger

Similar to eye contact and smiling, if you engage in small talk with a stranger, however harmless, there’s always the risk of them thinking that you want more. Obviously, this is a sweeping statement, and not every stranger is out to harm us. Yet, depending on the area you are in right now, the person you are talking to, and a list of many other factors, your kindness may at times be misinterpreted.

Invite a plumber or cable guy in when we’re home alone

Inviting someone into your home, even if they are only there to fix a pipe, can be a scary prospect for some women. This is why it’s essential for individuals to prioritize their safety by taking precautions such as ensuring the presence of a trusted friend or family member during home visits or arranging for services during hours when others are present. Additionally, verifying the credentials and identity of service providers can help alleviate some of the anxieties associated with letting unfamiliar individuals into one’s personal space.

Hitchhiking

While some women have successfully managed to hitchhike on their own throughout the world, many of us avoid this cheap way of transportation for fear of harassment. Sometimes, even apps designed to help people meet and share a car drive to cut emissions may be dangerous for women, as controls are often lacking. This is why many women travelers rely on buses and trains and avoid hitchingking when possible.

Blind Dates

Blind dates can also pose a danger for women. If one of our best friends knows the person in question, we tend to feel safe, but the situation is different when we see strangers met on dating apps. In these cases, we often prefer to choose certain low-risk sites where plenty of people are present. We also tend to share our location with a friend and update her throughout our date to communicate whether we feel safe.

Using Isolated ATM

When using an ATM at night or in an isolated area, women tend to be afraid of being attacked by someone eager to steal the money they just withdrew. While this may happen to both sexes, women have a disadvantage when it comes to physical strength, making it extremely hard for them to fight back. This is why they prefer to use ATMs during the day or in busy areas.

Giving Personal Information

Sometimes, something so ordinary as giving personal information to someone may be dangerous when you are a woman. When traveling, for instance, plenty of people may ask you, ‘Where are you staying?’ While this may be a genuine way to advise you on what to do in your area, women tend to avoid answering the question for fear that their interlocutor may have bad intentions.