I was at a department store yesterday en femme looking at purses and behind me and I hear: "<mumble> <mumble> baby..." and then in my peripheral vision I see Creepy Guy walk past. I didn't really catch what he said, but the intent was clear.
OK, what an ***hole.... but he keeps moving to the edge of the purse department. Only then, a minute later he circles back and walks up next to me. "This is nice," he says, gesturing toward a purse. "Yes, it is," says in my best I'm-not-really-interested-in-talking-to-you tones. Family shopping nearby looks up. Creepy Guy walks off. But a minute or two later he comes up again behind me and mumbles something that I assume he thinks is going to make me hot and wet. This time I just ignore him.
I go look at a display in the aisle just outside the purse section and I find something that I like. Creepy Guy walks up and mumbles something again. "Go away," I tell him bluntly. "Are you a man?" he demands. "More than you'll ever be," I think, but I figure now is not the time for a snappy comeback. Instead I give him my best I'm-gonna-****-you-up stare and say: "Go. Away. Now." Creepy Guy finally gets the message and scurries off before I tell him that I'm sure his friends would be amused if he got his *** kicked by a guy in dress.
Fortunately, the check-out counter was 10 feet away, so if things had really escalated I could've yelled for store security. As it was, I just went over there bought the purse (in part figuring Creepy Guy wasn't about to confront me while I was in line) and did make sure on the way out to check that he wasn't waiting for me.
All-in-all, definitely an eye-opening experience. I was about the same size as Creepy Guy if it ended up getting physical, but I can only imagine what it's like if you know the guy harassing you is bigger and stronger.