I've been thinking about this topic for a while, after I saw a post where somebody mentioned this article and said that it was a turn-off if a woman viewed every guy as a potential rapist. I'm not saying that he's wrong; if it's a turn-off to him, then it's a turn-off. But it got me thinking about how women react to men who approach them. I have a ton of thoughts about the topic, and I'd love to read anyone else's, too.
In the literal, dictionary definition sense, every man IS a potential rapist. And yet there are lots of guys who (I'm convinced, anyway) would rather shoot themselves than do such a thing. But when you first meet someone, there's really no way to instantly know what's in their hearts.
I've seen a lot of girls go on and on about how DARE a man approach them!!!!!!! until the guy feels like dirt. Now, I don't believe that it's a crime to have suspicions or doubts about someone's trustworthiness. But I think there's a point where telling them your doubts becomes wrong and hurtful. If a complete stranger approaches a girl and says "Hi", there's a huge middle ground between "Eew! Get away from me! You're a potential rapist!!!!!" and "I really like the way you said the word 'hi'. I'm sure you would never hurt a fly. Could you give me a ride home?"
So overall, are ladies' reactions to strange men approaching them harsher than they need to be? Or do girls try too hard to be nice?
Should a lady continue a conversation just to be polite, if she feels uncomfortable? What if she just wants to be left alone?
Or should guys be more understanding overall when we're trying to be kind as well as safe... and back off a little?
P.S. I'm not suggesting that men are the only humans capable of being potentially dangerous. But I'm focusing on the topic of the article and post which prompted this thread.
In the literal, dictionary definition sense, every man IS a potential rapist. And yet there are lots of guys who (I'm convinced, anyway) would rather shoot themselves than do such a thing. But when you first meet someone, there's really no way to instantly know what's in their hearts.
I've seen a lot of girls go on and on about how DARE a man approach them!!!!!!! until the guy feels like dirt. Now, I don't believe that it's a crime to have suspicions or doubts about someone's trustworthiness. But I think there's a point where telling them your doubts becomes wrong and hurtful. If a complete stranger approaches a girl and says "Hi", there's a huge middle ground between "Eew! Get away from me! You're a potential rapist!!!!!" and "I really like the way you said the word 'hi'. I'm sure you would never hurt a fly. Could you give me a ride home?"
So overall, are ladies' reactions to strange men approaching them harsher than they need to be? Or do girls try too hard to be nice?
Should a lady continue a conversation just to be polite, if she feels uncomfortable? What if she just wants to be left alone?
Or should guys be more understanding overall when we're trying to be kind as well as safe... and back off a little?
P.S. I'm not suggesting that men are the only humans capable of being potentially dangerous. But I'm focusing on the topic of the article and post which prompted this thread.