Comments on: How to Handle Sexual Harassment When Traveling Abroad

on 11/22/2005 If you're walking alone, especially in the evening and are afraid because a man/men are walking towards you or behind you, think "Don't mess with me" (or something more obscene) over and over again. It will give you some strong energy. If you want to try something even better, actually SAY it to yourself. Basically, the man/men will most likely walk by you while you mutter to yourself and he'll be scared that you'll do something to him because you will seem insane. My good friend shared this with me years ago and I have used it many times. Once I was pretty scared and actually muttered the words and the guy who was walking straight towards me looked a bit creeped out, and then looked away and walked away.

If you're abroad, then try a different phrase (whatever works for you in the foreign language). Make sure it's translated properly.

Another one is to imagine that the guy is one inch tall. Look at his feet when he's walking and imagine he's tiny or look at his head and see it's the size of a battery. This one really works for getting your strength up.