>...I don't feel paranoid or untrusting. I only feel
that way after reading some article about how
to avoid rape. Those articles always say
things like "Whatever you do, don't smile at a
man, no matter how nice he looks! act
unfriendly to everyone! they're all potential
rapists!"
>

I would hate to have to get used to living that
way. I can see myself quickly becoming
nervous and depressed if I saw every man as
a potential rapist.

Right now I live in a very small city that is much
bigger (and scarier, sometimes) than where I
grew up. I don't live in the nicest
neighborhood, either. I make an effort, though,
to walk confidently down my street and greet
EVERYONE I pass in a polite, civil manner
(nod, or a short "good
morning/afternoon/evening", sometimes a
smile). My theory is it's
harder to mug/rape someone who's treated
you like a decent human being. I'll tell you, I
always get a good response, too. Often
people are startled, but they get over it
immediately, remember themselves, and nod
back in a relaxed fashion. And some people
are so happy just to be recognized as fellow
people-- their eyes light up... They're lonely
too.

I tell you, I see them in the country, in the town
I live in now, but I see it EVERYWHERE in the
city, and there it's not so easy to make a
connection, even one so small.

Regards,
Dagmar