noodle

You know, I have a similar problem, but I think it's because I tend to make eye contact long enough to make sure that the shady ones know I could pick them out of a line up and I keep the strongest legal pepper spray available on my keychain. It's next to my USB drive, so when appropriate, I pull out my keyring, remove the USB drive and lay it all down where they can see it. With a big effin' grin on my face and then I go back to what I was doing. The harmless ones will usually chit chat a bit and leave. The ones that were more inappropriate have all left immediately. Therefore, they knew that what they were doing was making me uncomfortable.

I actually had a guy in a bar once tell me all about his last spearfishing expedition and in the process stab me with his index finger above my heart. It took a bartender stepping in immediately to stop that confrontation because he almost got bitch-slapped.

For those who do not respond to polite rebuffs, then I do feel it's okay to say something or get a little more defensive.

However, I always thank people for opening doors, saying hello, etc.... I also like the way it unnerves grumpy people when you smile and tell them to have a great day.

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