Apologies, I am much less angry as I write this since I've had a big hug from my husband and spoken to my adorable in-laws who were concerned that the wildfires in Northern California might be threatening my parents.
Dare I say this...riding my scooter isn't as fun anymore. Not because I am sick of doing my helmet hair in the dirty side view mirror in the parking garage every morning before work. Not because even on a scoot, 90 degree heat is freaking stifling. And not because with my swimmer's neck putting a helmet on really, really hurts.
No. I am having less fun because there are so many stupid perverts it is ridiculous. I am NO Kim Kardashian and, in my opinion, do not display some sex on wheels image as I ride my scoot (in my lady bug helmet for crying out loud). But I do, as it is summer time, wear a skirt on my scoot. It is always long enough so that when I put my foot down you cannot see anything. I always tuck it so it will not fly up as I ride. I've done my duty to remain "modest". But if I had a dollar for every gross male who makes an obvious attempt to see if they can "see" anything I wouldn't need a scoot. I'd have a chauffeur.
Here are three incidents that have happened since last Wednesday:
1. I am on my way to a meeting at school and stopped at a light. The rear window of the fancy SUV in front of me (and one lane to the right) roles down. I expect to see a kid or dog peek out. No. I see an older gentleman, in a tie, turn all the way around from the driver seat, remove his sun glasses, look me up and down (and at my crotch) then shake his head. In disgust? In disappointment? Who knows, but I was hoping with all my might he was headed toward the U where I could ask him what the hell he was looking at.
2. I am at a stoplight (just now on my way home from work) and the cross foot traffic is heavy. A man on his bike, stops. Right in front of me and tries to see if he can see up my skirt (which is definitely long enough to conceal everything). When I finally see what he is doing he speeds off on his bike. I was so dumbfounded I didn't even think of anything to say to his back as he rides off.
3. I was riding home from Steph's house last week at about 9 PM. I am at a stop light, in a dress, next to a beat up Oldsmobile bumping rap music with four white men in their twenties totally rocking out. They were singing along to some pop-y song and changed the lyrics to yell at me, "I'd tap that moped ass!" Yuck. The light turns green and I head toward my street where I take a left. At seeing this, the car then turns right, flips a u-turn and is attempting to come after me! Thank goodness they have cross traffic and no light because I drive down my quiet street at 50 miles an hour, make it to my driveway, pull the gate closed and hide, still in my helmet, behind my scoot as they roll by like they're gonna shoot me up.
You know, dudes look hot on bikes too. You could be into the hipster on the scoot, the thug on the Ducati, or the badass on the Harley. They look sexy. I have perhaps never seen a girl cat call a guy on his motor bike of choice. I have never seen a grown woman pull up next to a grown man on a bike, roll down their window and blatantly look them up and down. Why do so many men think this is OK?
Sure, I could wear only pants on my scoot. But it shouldn't be up to me to keep nasty men in check.
GRRRRR.
"Why do so many men think this is OK?"
ReplyDeleteI'll take a stab at this.
We (Men. Well, some of us. Most of us?) think this fascination you're getting, or any other sort of fascination and resultant display of sexually tainted interest in women. Women that somehow stick out visually in public, is a good thing for them.
Yes, I know it sounds nuts, but you're from a different planet.
If we thought it was hot to see you on a walk of shame some morning, puking in some planter,
you still must be thrilled if we think that's hot.
And to be fair, some girls do appreciate any sign of interest that somehow supports their sexuality. On that, and how it then recoils on you, blame them not us.
We probably think this is OK, because we think ANY expression of lusty interest in a female must "obviously" be flattering and positive reflection on their sexuality, or "Hotness" quotent, and that you will in term derive some satisfaction from that.
This, even if that is derived not from your curves, but the risk appeal of your look, personae, and pluck for having the nads to ride two wheels, and do so with such brazen panash.
Even if a scooter.
I mean, come on, most men know well that most women wouldn't and don't have the guts to ride anything two wheeled with a motor, much less do so with a style quotient in mind. THAT right there pegs you in a different female group, right off.
Tag yourself "Plucky" or "Spirited" in our eyes, right there and then, and for better or worse we see that as sexy.
It's an old paradigm. Rouge cowboy struts into the saloon, dance hall girl, hot and dressed provocatively stands at the bar, foot on the rail, skirt hiked up on her knee. Cowboy figures she must be a bit "randy" from her look, and typically will make some sort of rude move at her. She slaps him, kicks his ass back, or to the ground all to let him know that while she may be different from nice girls, she's still a lady to be treated right.
Still and all, in that paradigm we men have been taught over and over, we're still OK to give her "that look."
This all happened tho because she wasn't the church type. He gave a wonton look at her bare leg because she was obviously that sorta girl. The sorta girl looking for a look.
So, whether it seems right or not, riding the red scooter puts you on a different plane. And to many a man it looks as tho you want a look, or don't mind a look, or should obviously expect a look. Just like the paradigm story, it's not going to be a look of respect.
In many men's eyes, you are that girl looking for a look. I mean crap, you ride what some still see as some sorta motorcycle, and a red one at that, right? Cha! Obviously looking for a look. This is a no brainer -
a. She want's a look
b. Hell, she rides a red motorcycle (we'll consider it that because it works for us).
c. Must be the randy sort since she rides.
d. She's game for a little sexual look.
e. We figure it's ok to look up your skirt.
f. You flip us off. Just like the saloon girl.
Moral of the story; you should be in church with the polite girls, not riding around town flashing the boys on your ride.
Go trade in for the pink scooter, and dress much more Annie Hall or Joey Deschanel, with a straw hat (with a flower in the band) on top of your helmet when you go out.
That was Perling, btw.
ReplyDeletePerling, my scoot is a lovely pearl white. My helmet is red.
ReplyDeleteAnd, you are hilarious.