When a guy grabbed my behind while I was inserting a train ticket into the machine station in Milano one night after the 2017 New Year’s Eve, I screamed like one does when watching horror films. It was a weekday and there weren’t many people in the station. I was wearing shorts underneath a mini skirt but I felt his fingers reach all the way to the front. He sprinted through the thin crowd, probably afraid to be lynched.
If I were in the mood, I would’ve ran after him and asked him some questions. If he ran fast, maybe I’d run faster and get a notebook and pen while running and interview him while taking down notes for a story.
Seven questions:
- Do you often do that?
- Why?
- Who else do you touch?
- Is it difficult to get laid in Milan?
- Do you know that you can touch a woman’s body if you earn her respect and deserve her approval?
- Don’t you know that there are better ways of approaching women for romance, but not all women are interested in romance or unchecked libidinal urges?
- Have you no respect for women?
It should not even be argued that it’s the miniskirt that caused the incident or that a woman should cover herself if she doesn’t want sexual attention. Nigerian feminist Chimamanda Adichie correctly said that dressing is a matter of taste, not morality. A woman’s body belongs to her, and she decides how to use it.
Out of the kindness of my heart, if I see that guy, maybe I’d offer him pizza. And slam it on his face. But that would be a waste of good food.
