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I'll be 43 soon and yes, I almost gave in to my conditioning and asked myself- what did I do wrong? Did I lead him on? But not any more.
This wasn’t the first time something like this has happened, and I have a feeling that this won’t be the last either!
So on May 12th, I ran into this man. I was waiting for something and it was raining. He seemed decent and we got talking. About work.
I realised that his company could actually do some work for my NGO and we exchanged numbers. After that we talked about general stuff on WhatsApp sometimes, and he connected me to some others for the work I had in mind.
Next I know, he wants to hang out.
I make it amply clear that I’m not interested. He tells me how his marriage is in a sorry state, and I tell him how that is a red flag for me (more about that later, perhaps).
Anyway, so he sends me a message one day with “dear” and I tell him right away not to use that word as it creeps me out. It happens again.
Then one day he sends me a message saying how his wife is harassing him and stuff. Sounded very low. I sent him a text to just check in him- no conversation about the spouse etc. Just a basic courtesy text which I’d do for anyone.
Then one day he texts again. I didn’t respond all day because the day before that he kept texting me about how romantic the weather was etc., and I was too preoccupied to tell him off.
So then he calls. And I tell him I’ve been busy and am tired, so will talk later.
He starts off with sending me hugs and kisses to make me feel better, over the call.
I was just getting out of work with my son, who’s home for the summer vacation. I didn’t want it to ruin my time with my son.
So, the next day morning, the first thing I did was write a message to him. I told him exactly how horrible his disregard for consent was. How he thought it was okay to use double innuendos and suggestive talk, and offer hugs and kisses, after me having told him in as many words that I’m NOT interested in ANYTHING.
And I ended the acquaintance right away.
He sent me some more annoying stuff – like a typical butt hurt man justifying his lack of respect for boundaries and consent, and had the audacity to tell me how he’d love to spend time with me and even invited me to his place! (Not the first time, though, and even after telling him I won’t).
I blocked him.
Why do people think it’s okay to behave like this even after the other person has spelt out the boundaries at the very beginning?
I’ll be 43 soon and yes, I almost gave in to my conditioning and asked myself- what did I do wrong? Did I lead him on?
But not any more. I know better than that BS now. I DID NOT ask for it. Even if I assume I may have given him some hint that I might be interested in something, it doesn’t mean I’d be interested in anything and everything. Also, consent once given, can be revoked.
Image source: a still from the film Hichki
Antara is the co founder and Chief Operations Director at Redili- a training and employment project for autistic adults and young adults. She is an Applied Behavior Analysis professional, a retired Indian Air Force Officer read more...
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Neena was the sole caregiver of Amma and though one would think that Amma was dependent on her, Neena felt otherwise.
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Neena grew up in a home where both her parents worked together in tandem to keep the house up and running. She had a blissful childhood in her modest two-room house. The house was small but every nook and cranny gave her memories of a lifetime. Neena’s young heart imagined that her life would follow the same cheerful course. But how wrong she was!
When she was sixteen, the catastrophic clutches of destiny snatched away her parents. They passed away in a road accident and Neena was devastated. Relatives thronged her now gloomy house and soon it was decided that she should be married off.
Menopause is a reality in women's lives, so Indian workplaces need to gear up and address women's menopausal needs.
Picture this: A seasoned executive at the peak of her career suddenly grapples with hot flashes and sleep disturbances during important meetings. She also battles mood swings and cognitive changes, affecting her productivity and confidence. Eventually, she resigns from her job.
Fiction? Not really. The scenario above is a reality many women face as they navigate menopause while meeting their work responsibilities.
Menopause is the time when a woman stops menstruating. This natural condition marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. The transition brings unique physical, emotional, and psychological changes for women.
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