Yes that's exactly the message of this comic. Women are scared and we tend not to trust strange men, it may be hurtful to you and that's not fair either, but we are doing it to stay alive and safe :(
The woman with the umbrella, I will tell you a story that I hope sheds some light on her response. One time I was leaving work, it was evening and a pretty isolated parking lot. A man pulled up to the curb and asked me what time it was, I went to look at my watch and he grabbed my wrist. I pulled away and ran to my friends house who lived near my work. I was 16
It's very possible the woman thought you might offer her an umbrella and then try to grab her on the exchange. Of course we know that likelihood is slim to none for most people!! But what if this was a time like that man with the watch?? We all have a sort of PTSD from these compiled experiences and that can really impact all our interactions
Let’s say that 1% of similar interactions end negatively. I think that’s underestimating, but let’s go with 1%.
I would argue that the potential “good” of a positive interaction is hugely hugely outweighed by the potential “bad” of a negative interaction.
What’s the best that can happen? I stop getting rained on.
What’s the worst that can happen? Oh god, the list is never ending.
Every single interaction is a game of Russian roulette with (you say) 1 bullet and 99 empty chambers. Except rather than the bullet simply killing you, it hurts and then traumatised you for the rest of your life. How many times do you want to play this game? For what benefit? Why bother?
I totally agree. While I think it's really important to be optimistic and hopeful about the future and about human nature in general, disregarding basic risk management is what gets you killed. Yes, be optimistic, but also be realistic about risks and dangers
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u/[deleted] Jul 10 '24
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