I remember an incident that took place on a summer day a few years ago. It took place in front of my house, my previous address on LeBreton Street South. I was getting into my Dodge Caravan when a young woman accosted me, asking if I could give her a ride to Gladstone Avenue. I was startled, this struck me as an odd request, given that Gladstone Avenue was not that far away and I am not used to young women asking me for a ride. Against my better judgement, I agreed to give her the ride and as soon as she climbed into the passenger seat beside me, she turned toward me asking "can I interest you in something?" Turns out she was a street walker soliciting me. I looked her in the eye and said calmly, "no thank-you." I gave her the ride to Gladstone Avenue, fearing if I ordered her out of my van she might accuse me of assault. All the while I hoped no one I knew would see my dropping a strange young woman off on Gladstone Avenue.
On another occasion, some years earlier, when I lived on Bay Street, I was leaving a corner grocery store on Bay and Gladstone with a bottle of Dr. Pepper. Outside on the sidewalk stood a transvestite who called after me "nice ass." I turned, smiled and pointed to the bottle of Dr. Pepper, saying "yes, but unfortunately, this is my only vice," before continuing on my way home.
Then, late one night on another occasion as I was walking home to my house on Bay Street, a man driving a compact car drove up alongside me and asked "are you looking for something?" I retorted sternly "I beg your pardon," and he said "never mind" and drove off.
The moral of this post is when you are out in public you will come across people who make indecent proposals. If you are sure of yourself, either ignore them or just say "no thank-you" and get on with your day.
On another occasion, some years earlier, when I lived on Bay Street, I was leaving a corner grocery store on Bay and Gladstone with a bottle of Dr. Pepper. Outside on the sidewalk stood a transvestite who called after me "nice ass." I turned, smiled and pointed to the bottle of Dr. Pepper, saying "yes, but unfortunately, this is my only vice," before continuing on my way home.
Then, late one night on another occasion as I was walking home to my house on Bay Street, a man driving a compact car drove up alongside me and asked "are you looking for something?" I retorted sternly "I beg your pardon," and he said "never mind" and drove off.
The moral of this post is when you are out in public you will come across people who make indecent proposals. If you are sure of yourself, either ignore them or just say "no thank-you" and get on with your day.
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