Schrödinger’s Rapist: or a guy’s guide to approaching strange women without being maced

This article was brought to my attention by my friend Anita. I personally love that it doesn't throw out the idea of approaching women in public as wrong and to be avoided, but instead explains how to do it in a respectful way that takes the woman's personal space and limitations into account. Guys, it really is all about finding that balance between having yourself heard while still respecting the woman's right to be left alone should she make that clear. Afterall, no woman is going to respond positively to you if she's creeped out or has been made to feel uncomfortable by you. A really fascinating read!

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Gentlemen. Thank you for reading.

Let me start out by assuring you that I understand you are a good sort of person. You are kind to children and animals. You respect the elderly. You donate to charity. You tell jokes without laughing at your own punchlines. You respect women. You like women. In fact, you would really like to have a mutually respectful and loving sexual relationship with a woman. Unfortunately, you don’t yet know that woman—she isn’t working with you, nor have you been introduced through mutual friends or drawn to the same activities. So you must look further afield to encounter her.

So far, so good. Miss LonelyHearts, your humble instructor, approves. Human connection, love, romance: there is nothing wrong with these yearnings.

Now, you want to become acquainted with a woman you see in public. The first thing you need to understand is that women are dealing with a set of challenges and concerns that are strange to you, a man. (read more)