Oh New York City…I really have a love and hate relationship with you. One minute I can’t think of any other place I’d rather be and other times I can’t wait to escape. As I am sure I’ve mentioned before, I’m from Michigan. A place where you kindly say ‘hello’ to people that you pass on the sidewalk. But in NYC, you better be careful to who you speak to on the street. It may invite some unwanted attention.

Last week I was walking home from the grocery store and this man said ‘hello’. So, with my Midwestern values instilled, I said ‘hello’ back. Well apparently pleasantries weren’t enough. He proceeded to tell me his name was ‘Abdul’ and he wanted to be my friend. ‘Here we go,’ I thought to myself. I politely told him I wasn’t interested. But dude was persistent. He wouldn’t take ‘no’ for answer. In my many attempts to get away from him, I walked into the corner store. But guess who followed me in? He did. I quickly got what I wanted, paid for it and walked out. He was next in line, so I figured I would use that time to make a quick getaway. Do you know this dude put down his stuff and followed me out of the store yelling at me. He was talking about how he just wanted to take care of me. I pulled up the hood on my coat and quickly walked away. Crisis adverted.

The other day, I was walking home from the grocery store and this middle-age man was sitting on a bench in front of a bakery. He looked harmless. He nodded and said ‘hello’. So like the Michigander I am, I said ‘hello’ back. And then he proceeds to ask me if he could eat my ——— !!! I’m sure you can fill in the rest.

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Wearing: Asos Dress | JustFab Shoes

So my hate relationship with NYC is the times that I encounter the street harassment from men. Growing up in the Motor City, you are always in cars and not walking the sidewalks in close proximity to crazy folks like you are in New York City. I could have been having a great day those days, but my only memory is from the harassment I encountered.

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Although I love living in New York City, there are some things I will never get used to. Like the rats, mounds of garbage and bodegas (corner stores) with cats roaming the floors. I just can’t. Gross!

Have you ever encountered unwanted advances? If so, how did you handle it?

Photography by KD. Dees.