This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.

The original was posted on /r/twoxchromosomes by /u/TheOldPetrillo on 2023-10-03 17:05:29.

Among the stories about encounters going wrong, I’d like to share a chance meeting yesterday, that might either restore some faith in men, or serve as proof that ‘not being a creep’ is a bar very possible to meet.

In my city, a multi-day townwide festival is going on, as it does every year. Lots and lots of alcohol, enormous crowds and basically every inhabitant, along with people from the surrounding area, is involved in the festivities. I went alone.

After walking around a bit, going on a few rides, listening to a few bands, saying hi to a few familiar faces, and looking at many pretty lights, I decided it was time to go home. Recklessly, I took a shortcut through an alley, telling myself I did so all the time (yes! during the day!) and it would be fine.

Cue a drunk gentleman calling me over and after the usual ‘how are you’, he asked if I was alone. Stupidly, I told him this was indeed the case. He then invited me to go with him (‘us’ he said, but I saw nobody that looked like he was with them, so I don’t know). Tensing up, I thanked him for the offer, but insisted I was fine and wanted to enjoy the party by myself.

You know what he said?

He said: O well. Have a nice night!

I didn’t have to repeat myself, no touching (other than my arm, briefly, to catch my attention), no anger.

The bar is in the gutter, to make this worth mentioning, but I figured sharing an example of how this kind of thing is supposed to go, wouldn’t hurt anyone.