“She Was Clearly Panicking”: 59 Stupid Reasons These Men Were Labeled As Creeps
by Jonas Grinevičius, Gabija Saveiskyte · Bored PandaADVERTISEMENT
Your life and safety are no joke, so it’s always best to err on the side of caution. One study shows that nearly two-thirds of women have experienced street harassment. So, first impressions are certainly important when it comes to staying vigilant. Nobody’s denying that. However, they’re not always accurate. In some cases, you can wildly misinterpret a stranger’s character and intent just because they happen to be in your vicinity.
To that end, some of the men on the internet took to r/AskReddit and spilled the beans about the biggest misunderstandings they’ve been in, where someone wrongly labeled them as creeps. Scroll down to read all about their awkward and embarrassing stories.
This post may include affiliate links.
Modal close
You May Also Like:
ADVERTISEMENT
One survey from 2014, commissioned by Stop Street Harassment, found that 65% of women reported having been harassed in public. Some of the most common forms of harassment included leering, honking, whistling, sexist comments, vulgar gestures, explicit comments, and kissing noises. Many women also reported being followed, having their paths blocked, being grabbed, and even being assaulted.
ADVERTISEMENT
Meanwhile, 25% of male respondents reported that they had been street harassed. The most common form of harassment they experienced was homophobic or transphobic slurs.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Darrigo and Diaz personal injury law firm suggests that if you suspect that someone may be following you while you’re driving in the city, try making four right turns. If the car you were suspicious of is still behind you, it’s almost guaranteed that it’s following you.
Meanwhile, if you’re on the interstate, try exiting it and getting back on. It’s very suspicious if the person in the car behind you does the same. Alternatively, try slowing down for a few minutes to check if the other driver mimics you. If they don’t pass you, it’s a red flag.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
The best way to react if you’re being followed while driving is to remain as calm and cool as possible. Your goal is to remain in control and safe. You should not indicate to your stalker that you know that they’re following you. Nor should you drive home: you don’t want to lead them to where you live. Instead, drive in a different direction. Preferably, somewhere well-lit and crowded.
Meanwhile, if you feel that you are in danger, call the police or head to the nearest station. Call the authorities anyway, even if you’re not 100% sure if the threat is real. It’s always better to be safe. The police will instruct you on what to do next.
ADVERTISEMENT
Have you ever been followed, dear Pandas? On the flip side, has anyone felt threatened by you or called you a creep due to a misunderstanding? How did you react in those situations?
ADVERTISEMENT
What advice would you give anyone who’s feeling unsafe while in public? Share your experiences and advice in the comments section at the bottom of this post.
Standing quietly behind someone in a grocery store, reading a book on my phone and listening to music in my earbuds. She eventually taps my arm and tells that "you're not fooling anybody so stop staring at her!" Apparently asking why would I be staring at her was the wrong thing to ask and she went off on one, fortunately the cashier and the two older ladies stepped up for me. Shout out for the one saying " no he's got a point why would any one waste a second glance on you, your so bland your just background like furniture in a chip shop" which I don't truly get but sent her nuclear before a manager asked her to leave.
Lostboxoangst
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
I worked in a childcare. That was enough for some people.
I told people I was an education major.
Having a beard and wearing. Glasses.
mrsnowplow
In a many roommates situation
My bedroom was just off the kitchen, and my computer desk was directly across from my door (Facing away.)
I'm sitting there one day with my door open, hear a noise, and when I turn around one of my roommate's friends is there in a bikini (We had a hot tub)
We make eye contact and I return to what I'm doing. No words, no lingering glances, no staring. A simple look of "Oh there's a person." without even any acknowledgment apart from seeing each other.
I find out later, that girl told all my roommates I made her uncomfortable enough to never come back by looking at her.
Now I've had people say some MEAN s**t about me, but I've genuinely never been more insulted in my life.
GrizzlamicBearrorism
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
When I was around 23-24 I used to play/teach kids how to play basketball at a local park. Kids middle school aged. Some boys (as a joke) started saying I was a p*do.
I stopped playing with those kids shortly after. I honestly have avoided playing basketball near kids at a park ever since.
My wife thinks I’m being ridiculous because it’s been around 8yrs since then, but I’m honestly still scared. I avoid kids all together other than my nephews these days.
BBQpirate
ADVERTISEMENT
I said hi! To random stranger.
No_Value_6632
Because i was too quiet.
Jk_Mangels
When I was in high school at a fair I had a middle school girl "hit" on me and ask me out, my simple response was "you're too young to date and I'm too old for you." An older lady at the fair tapped me on the shoulder to tell me I'm a creep for talking to a young girl.
behannrp
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Hanging out with my best friend (a girl) a lot. Ended up at a party with her and another girl was saying to another person there how creepy I am for “following my friend around all the time.” I was just kind of like “the f**k?” in my head and was gonna let it go, but my friend also heard this and called her out was like “He isn’t? He’s my best friend and we hang out a lot” or something along those lines. I didn’t really care but it was nice that she backed me up. Oddly enough, months later I ended up very close with the girl who called me creepy and we’re good friends now lol.
I_Like_That_Panda
I had a new coworker start the other day, when she clocked in, i was busy, and every time i thought "i should go introduce myself" she was busy with orientation stuff.
finally after an hour or so of her being there, i finally introduced myself.
the girl training her was like "wow, an hour into her shift?"
not necessarily labeled a creep, but i felt the judgement in her words, like i was trying to act all cool and nonchalant by waiting an hour or something.
like no dude i just didn't get the chance because it's Friday and it's busy here, f**k off Rhonda.
Amazing_Oven1992
ADVERTISEMENT
Not “creep” exactly, but I got called a p*dophile for approaching a lady who was trying to change her baby’s nappy/diaper in the closed seating area of the cafe that I worked in during COVID. Literally just walked over there to tell her she couldn’t do it. (By the way, in the mall I worked in there are baby changing toilets 2 minutes from the cafe) and she proceeded to call me a p*dophile and say I should be more considerate because her baby is autistic….
kilbano
I mentioned to a lady that I used to stop and sit for a bit by this one park when I would go for walks. There were some slides and swings on the other side of the park, so she decided I was a creepy pedo. I had already said that I went for walks late, like 11 pm or even later.
So because I sometimes sat on a bench 200 feet from a swing, hours after anyone had finished using it, and outside the fence and facing away from it anyhow, she said she would call the cops on me if she ever saw me do that. Okey dokey then.
Divayth--Fyr
ADVERTISEMENT
I've worked sales jobs the past 15+ years. I have a pretty good memory and sometimes remember "small/insignificant" things about people or parts of conversations we've had. I've many times been looked at like a weirdo/creep for remembering intricate details about something they forgot or didn't realize the told me ect..
anon
I worked in fighter jets. A girl came out to talk to the pilot during an engine running refuel and she had no business being near it, didn’t know the safety zones. She walked up and looked directly into the running engine. I know there isn’t enough pull to suck her up at idle but it can suck the pens out of her arm pen holder for sure so I ran up, grabbed her by the jacket on her shoulders and threw her behind me, she absolutely flew and fell on her face.
I saved her from wrecking a multimillion dollar engine at best, her life at worst. All because she was flirting with the f*****g pilot. How do I know? I had a 3 sided comm cord and heard the whole f*****g thing. She called me a creep for it and tried to get me in trouble.
Legeto
ADVERTISEMENT
This one’s a bit different but a girl I was seeing admitted to having a a really big daddy kink and she wanted to explore it, but I’m talking like full blown incest. I found it a little weird but I didn’t want to embarrass her especially after she worked up the courage to share it. We talked about and she explained what turned her in about it and we agreed to do a little role play. The day came and we did our thing, and despite being a little weirded out about it I tried my best to get into it because I wanted her to enjoy it. Basically I was trying to be as supportive as I could and leaned into the scenario which she seemed to *really* enjoy at the time.
A few days later she started being really short with me and kept making up excuses to not hang out. Eventually when I asked her what was going on she said I was a little *too* into the fantasy and it creeped her out/made her wary. 💀.
NK1337
ADVERTISEMENT
Was waiting OUTSIDE of locker rooms after a play bc my friend needed my help and one of the theater kids accused me of being a creep and looking into the locker rooms even tho I was turned away from both doors and clearly holding my friend’s s**t for her.
Separate_Ad5592
ADVERTISEMENT
Just talking to a girl to get to know her as a friend and she told everyone I was stalking her and harassing her💀.
ypperlig__
I’m an average 30ish yo male. I’m pretty clean cut and most would consider me conventionally attractive. Well, I used to park in a nice neighborhood on the outskirts of downtown Seattle, then take the bus in to town 2 miles away. I got back to my car one day and my battery was dead. I had jumper cables and my hood up ready to go, and I approached this lady who I’ve seen many times around her house in the morning over the 4+ years I’ve parked there, and asked her very nicely if she could help my jump my car. She said “I don’t have jumper cables” and I said “oh, no problem, I have some.” Then she said “well, I uh, I can’t, I just can’t.” And I said “well it would be really easy, your car is already facing mine and you can just pull up and-“ and then she blurted out “I JUST CANT YOU CREEP, STOP BOTHERING ME OR I’LL CALL THE COPS.” So I was like “woah, okay, no problem, not necessary at all.” So I just called an Uber and came back with my wife later that night to jump the car. It honestly felt really weird and dirty to be called that when I genuinely had good intentions and thought she may be neighborly.
FunctionBuilt
ADVERTISEMENT
My wife and I are the primary care for her sister since their parents are not very good at parenting. We are mid twenties and her sister is middle grades. The looks I get whenever I take her anywhere is astonishing. Never had anyone openly try and intervine yet.
Winter_37
I deal with back pain and was stretching on a fairly empty train platform (bending downward, bringing my fingertips to my toes). My back was really tight this day, and I got a really deep, satisfying stretch. As I’m slowly raising up out of the stretch, I must have been making an odd face because a woman 30 feet away shot me a disgusted look and mouthed “gross” to herself.
thegraw
Because I was trying to be a hospitable host. My brother has some people over, 3 women from work.
Would you like some more wine?
Did you eat enough?
Let me take that plate for you.
One of them thought I was a little too "eager" to have company over and that I'd drugged the wine. So she would dump it when I wasn't around.
Couple of things
1. That's just a waste of good wine
2. Damned if I do, damned if I don't. I'd be a creep either way because if I backed off I'd be seen as the creep in the corner not saying anything
3. And lastly, oh honey.... If I was going to d**g anyone here, trust me, it wouldn't be you. Get over yourself. You're the fugliest one here by a mile.
Oh, and another commentor jogged my memory of this gem. My boss at my last job banned smoking on the property, so I'd go to the gas station next door to smoke. The gas station attendant *called the f*****g police* and told them I was looking at little girls. There's not a playground nearby. There's not a day care in sight. The nearest school is at least 5 miles away. But sure. I was looking at little girls. The cops knew it was a b******t call, but that had to show up at my job and ask anyway.
ryguy28896
ADVERTISEMENT
Im 40. Was leaning on a tree at a park and was kind of zoned out while listening to my Sec+ study group. A couple of, I assume 20 yr olds, walked by and then glanced back at me. One of em turned around and started walking towards me. Thats when I noticed her. She finally just comes out with "At least you arent trying to take a picture, pervert." I firee back with "F**k off, child. Im listening to a podcast. "F**k you, creep." Then she stormed off.
So that was...odd.
Sharpshooter188
My ex was a teacher. One day she called me asking if I could bring balloons and a cake to her on my lunch break as it was another teacher’s birthday and I worked fairly close. She told me to just meet her at the back gate. Standing on the street with balloons and a cake outside of the back entrance of an elementary school got me some odd glares from the passers-by.
PermaBanTogether
ADVERTISEMENT
Apparently army crawling while in fourth grade. Someone accused me of looking up their skirt when I was like 15 feet away from them. Then all the girls had a meeting and I was labeled a creep. Thankfully summer break happened, but that girl still hated me for middle school and highschool.
anon
I was sitting in a chair in my friend's living room minding my own business and contributing the the conversation when I had something to add. The conversation was basically small talk. Apparently that made a girl in the room think I was "creepy.".
Billy_of_the_hills
She hit on me and I told her I had a girlfriend.
She was pretty drunk, to be fair.
seanmorris
I am a manager, I had my team lead say it was creepy that I went to apologize to one of our female employees because they only speak Spanish and mine is very limited and while we were talking she asked about my family and I said Hermosa instead of Hermana and I was worried she would think i was creeping on her.
anon
ADVERTISEMENT
My social anxiety was pinging at a baseball game, while being introduced as a new friend to the group. I didn't talk much and was hyper-vigilant. After the game, the one guy i knew said the group thought i was creepy and sad. He stood up for me (he said). I'm still cool with him a decade later, but his friends were whack.
deadfingerhooker
There was a girl at a party when I was in highschool who had s**t herself, she was crying, didn’t know what to do, everyone was laughing. I was raised by mostly women as my dad worked a lot as well as having a younger sister. I explained this to the girl and that even though I was buzzing, I would help her clean up and not do anything to her in a sexual connotation, my mother was a nurse for 35 years, etc. I helped her clean up, yes I saw everything, but I had 0 sexual intentions. She continued to thank me for being respectful and helpful, yet everyone else at that party insisted I did it to take advantage of her. This was 10 years ago when I was 17, as I said I was buzzing but still completely aware of my decisions, but because I was/am fat and not attractive, everyone thought I was trying to take advantage.
Dragonborn83196
ADVERTISEMENT
A coworker labeled me a creep because I said I liked women who are shorter and younger than me. She said it's probably because I want a naive, weak woman who's easy to control.
WilhelmIGV