>As a man I'd be wary about talking to female strangers I do have to remind myself that the world is much differently experienced by women. Like the author of

>As a man I'd be wary about talking to female strangers I do have to remind myself that the world is much differently experienced by women. Like the author of the article, I'm the father of a toddler and we've spent an immense amount of time over the past year walking (or triking or wagoning) around the neighborhood. I've certainly spent more time talking to my neighbors over the past year than over the previous 8 or so years that I've lived in the same house. One neighbor that has become a friend (or at least a friendly acquaintance) is a young woman who is often outside with her 2 dogs. On walks, she always seems excited to see us, stops what she's doing to come talk to us, etc. On a couple of occasions, I've seen her walking alone while I've been driving in the neighborhood and I've waved from the car. She doesn't wave back, or even make eye contact, and continues to walk with a very "don't bother me" posture. I don't think she knows what car I drive, and she probably doesn't recognize me in the car. She also probably doesn't want to appear interested by making eye contact or looking at the car too much. She's probably had enough negative experiences with men on the street that she's making her best effort to avoid hostile/unwanted contact. It's a sad reality, but I get it.