Look up the word 'femicide'. Women are murdered simply because they are women. Unfortunately the men who hate women this much don't wear labels, so it's impossible to tell who's who.

This is why so many women are fearful. The threat is always there and this car situation sounds creepy. It reminded me of Ted Bundy.

Men need to be mindful of this context and they need to prove that they're genuine. This is not the fault of the genuine man. Genuine men are paying the price for the minority of haters that are out there.

LoL... I think the men that "are afraid of approaching women" as a result of the "me too" movement, probably are the ones that should be afraid! Seriously, it's not that hard to be respectful and attentive to the person you are with. Maybe they need to go read some articles on the internet if they really are clueless... hint, I don't mean the articles that have titles like "How to make any woman sleep with you"... ha ha ha.

The #MeToo movement just shows how MANY women deal with aggressive sexual approaches daily. It doesn't in anyway make men who DON'T do it a target of having to be afraid of women.

This "I don't know how to approach women now" sounds like, "geez if I can't tell her to suck my dick, how am I gonna let her know I liker her".

I feel both sexes and all orientations should get comfortable with just being open about expressing interest and not heaping it on men to be intiators. Some men who have said that to me, I have said, "approach a woman like you would any male". If you think you want to be friends with a guy, do you walk up and pet his dick, or ask him to look at yours? Or, is it ok to grab and kiss a guy you want to be friends with and just met, or follow him in your car, or walk to close to him in a grocery. NO? Good, you know the rules, don't do it to women either.

There is absolutely a fear of men in a lot of women. I think this is a new thing, but some women seem to think the only men who aren't serial rapists are murderers. I don't see this as only a problem with males. This fear is almost completely irrational but instead of being a mental illness it is supported by society. An entire gender is being judged by some of our worst examples.
The point is a cat lady who can barely leave the house isn't due to men and girls who freak out by approach or even persistence are responsible for their feelings not some guy hitting her up.

There is absolutely a fear of men in a lot of women. I think this is a new thing, but some women seem to think the only men who aren't serial rapists are murderers. I don't see this as only a problem with males. This fear is almost completely irrational but instead of being a mental illness it is supported by society. An entire gender is being judged by some of our worst examples.
The point is a cat lady who can barely leave the house isn't due to men and girls who freak out by approach or even persistence are responsible for their feelings not some guy hitting her up.

Yes we are. its a roll of the dice

Not sure if I ever truly 'flirt' . Express interest but not flirt? Otherwise I try to always listen for the word 'no' . Sometimes it's body language which can be more difficult. If I'm not sure I ask. I also need to see where I am at. Sometimes it's better to not even try. Kind where I am at right now.

I tend to try and be cautious because I'm a pretty big guy and I always get told that I look mean. I don't want to scare women, especially when it's just me and the woman in a certain area with nobody else around. I've felt this way before Weinstein and Cosby though lol

This theme of conversation reminds me of an experience I had with my brother. We were walking down the street late at night and we were gaining on a woman on the same side walk. As we approached her, I veered off the sidewalk and crossed to the other side of the street, and we passed her. After a while, my brother asked me why I had crossed the street. I said that we had been gaining on that woman and I didn’t want to scare her.
He said that was what he thought. Then I asked him if he would have crossed the street. He answered that if he had been alone he would have crossed the street a bit earlier than when we did. We both had the same thought - him a little earlier.

I think the moral of this story is that it’s everyone’s job not to scare the shit out of other people. I, even as a female, was aware that our greater speed and greater numbers could be interpreted as threatening, and so I crossed the street. Males often act as if they are the only ones doing this because like my brother, you “cross the street” earlier than I “crossed the street.” This makes sense as men are on average more threatening than women, so yes, you might give bigger berth than I do.

I personally think that everyone has the right to ask someone else out (once - if they say no, you need to respect boundaries) provided there is no potential conflict of interest.
That being said, if we are going to be promoting a gender role on whose responsibility it is to ask someone out, I try to promote women doing the asking out. Men always have to navigate the inherent physical size difference (which isn’t going away) and other patriarchy power dynamics (which aren’t going away fast enough) to get in the good graces of women (basing off heterosexual relationships in the advice obviously). It is much better to have women ask men out as a societal norm in my opinion. For women I tell them it works in your favor. The chances of you picking out an asshole out of group of men is much less than an asshole picking you out and targeting you.

We live in an age of professed equality , at least as a goal , & yet women still are under the impression that they are to be approached , & never the other way around . This is not the mentality of a mind that seeks to be equal , & yet , conflicting values persist . I'm at a loss for words , like that Jerry Sinefeld joke , where men are beeping their horns at strange women , that they would like to converse with , but are out of ideas , thus , they beep the horn , as if to ask , "Now what ?" "I'm out of ideas".
I don't beep my horn at strange women , but I have to admit , for the majority of my life , until about 20 years ago , I was out of ideas . As women age , they play fewer games , & are more assertive as to what they want in a partner , at least for the most part . . . They can maintain what they are shown & taught , to remain what they are shown & taught , as feminine , or they can be equal , & make the first move , at least from time to time .
But to answer your question , the new trend has encouraged them to do what they know , is , equal . It's that simple , & for guys like me , it's actually refreshing , to see the majority having to practice what they've been preaching since the 60's. Making the first move , should not be felt as uneffeminate . If it does , then you are dealing with the bonds of a gender roll that dates back to at least the 50's , if not beyond . SAD

Lmao that is so weird, i don't think its that bad tbh, especially if you do it in a place where people usually go to try and find a date

The argument is not all women are like this. But that is akin to saying " here put your hand into this basket full of snakes, and don't worry only one of them is venomous." Feminism and or metoo movements will remove the problem or interactions between the sexes, partly as result of feminism, the birthrate in the west is at a rate that will see it disappear of the face of the planet. And what will be left may not have quite the sympathetic view that is currently enjoyed by females in our culture. be careful what you wish for. Does anyone find it an oxymoron, that in a time when are under a constant barrage about female rights and freedoms the top selling book amongst women in the past 50 years is "Fifty Shades of Grey"

This post has two distinctly different components. The second part deals with men and women who know each other or at least are aware of each other's identity. I cannot add anything to what has already been said.

As for the first part, you are very fortunate. I do not know how to put this any other way, but abduction from a parking lot is an all too common modus operandi for violent sexual predators. While attending college a classmate was abducted from a mall parking lot and murdered. Ted Bundy, one of the most infamous serial killers in recent history was a handsome, articulate, prelaw student. His M O. was putting a fake cast on one of his arms, asking a woman for assistance, and then abducting her in his vehicle. He did this numerous times in busy parking lots before he was apprehended. Always lock your car, always check the back seat, and always look around before you get in. It is better to be safe.

Isn't there just being yourself and body language?

Simple fix: be the person you would want your child/sibling/parent to date. Problem solved.

It's not hard.

I sure do.

YES, THEY ARE AFRAID....Now, while some men are out there to harm you many more are not.

Women need to understand the difference between harassment and a compliment. In Latin America, for instance, to say to a lady "GOOD BYE, PRETTY..." is not perceived as harassment but as a compliment.

All my life, if I see a woman who I would like to meet, I will approach her, apologize for my forwardness, and ask if I could make her acquaintance. I have never had any bad reactions in doing that and have met many women. Nothing ventured, nothing gained,

Some men overcompensate, for sure, but perhaps now may be the time for women to take the lead in the 'game' of relationships between the sexes? Must it always be that men are the pursuer, as if women were a trophy? Why can't we view predatory men as the insecure beasts that they are, while lauding aggressive behavior by women? I'm more than ready for the lionesses to do the hunting. And what straight male wouldn't appreciate the Mae West approach? "Is that a pistol in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?" or "I'll try anything once, twice if I like it, three times to make sure."

I think #metoo is a crusade against men more than it is A platform for equality. A lot of those people were just asked out or complimented. I think speaking up is a great thing. I just don't feel safe approaching women anymore. I got pepper sprayed once for telling a woman that I liked her dress. I had to wait there, eyes burning until the cops came. They let her go even though I wanted to press assault charges. I never touched her, and all I said was "I like your dress, the color looks nice on you." That's what metoo and neofeminism has done to some people.

I had a woman on a dating site that I messaged and introduced myself and asked about flea markets in her town. She answered with just no so I asked about antique shops in the area. Got the answer back that if I didn't quit harassing her she'd report me.

I do have insecurities partially because of the laws and being accused of something.

Yes. It now seems best to have your attorney present before any romance commences

Wow. If ever I get back in the game I'm going to try that approach, "Stay calm. I mean you no harm."

Men need to understand that keeping your hands to yourself and your junk in your pants is the best way to make a good impression.