We all have admirers, but every now and then, there are creepy guys who just won't leave you alone. If this is the case, then it's ideal to have them out of your life right away. Sometimes it is unavoidable to attract unwelcome attention and it can be tricky if you don't handle it immediately. So if you have a stalker hounding you after that one night at the bar or if you've been receiving undesired approaches, take action using these tips.
Be frank
Don't be afraid to tell it to his face. It's the immediate way to letting him know that you are not interested and just want to be left alone. Doing this also prevents him from getting mixed messages so he doesn't end up thinking you're leading him on.
Don't be rude. Don't be sheepish either. Be firm, but respectful so that you do not humiliate him in public during an encounter. This helps to reduce the chance of a creepy guy exacting vengeance for that one time you completely blew him off at the bar.
If he starts becoming more intensely creepy, you can be free to let everyone know what is going on. In special cases like this where you are being harassed in a crowded public place, such as on a train, you can take effective action through public shaming. This is advisable only if he has gone from moderate to full on abusive harasser.
Just leave
If you've been approached by a creepy guy, politely excuse yourself and leave. It's ideal to have friends with you so he doesn't have a chance to follow you. In case you don't have friends around, stay in plain view of the public instead of heading out alone.
You can also feign a call and pretend that you're off to meet with a friend. Call a cab if you want to leave immediately. There are apps that allow you to book a cab right on your phone, so you don't have to step out of a noisy bar and risk being approached while alone.
Don't keep it to yourself
It's not a good idea to keep it a secret when a guy continues to follow you after you have clearly told him to leave you alone. Friends, family, and workmates can give you advice on the best course of action and make sure that you aren't left alone. This reduces the chance of the creepy guy approaching you out of the blue. When your creeper is someone at work, speak with your superior or the human resources department so they can help you deal with the problem.
Never respond
If he continues to message you, don't ever reply as he can take this as a positive response to his advances (even after you have told him to leave you alone). Responses in any form will empower a creepy guy, and will give him the satisfaction of getting your attention even if it's the negative sort. Just ignore him; his interest will pass after a while.
Call the police
If a creepy guy still continues to hound you despite your continued rejection, speak with the police. They will advise you on ways to keep safe in your specific situation. Avoid walking alone at night and always update your family and friends of your location. If you live alone, you may want to have a friend stay over until the situation abates.
So if you're ever caught in a situation where you receive unwanted attention, try these tips to keep yourself safe. Keep these in mind whenever you go out and you're sure to have more time to enjoy meeting tons of decent, respectable men out there. There's plenty out there!
Do you have other ideas on how to keep creepy guys away? Feel free to share them in the comments below, we'd love to hear from you.
