So, there was the Saturday Market happening yesterday early in the morning, in the small town that I live in. I was having Chai and a delicious pretzel with a friend. Then, there was a Dutch guy who was maybe in his mid 40s - we had met elsewhere before, but never talked until he came to our table. We chatted for a bit, but then I needed to join a work Zoom call, so I politely asked if it was ok for me to join the call whilst still having our tea as we had originally planned. They said it was okay.
I took my computer out of my bag and put my earphones in one ear. That Dutch guy started telling me that he used to have that kind of computer before - Apple Macbook - but he lost it in Morocco, and I was like, "Oh how come, you lost it?" Then, he literally stood up and grabbed my computer, I was like WTH! I asked, "What are you doing?!" and grabbed my computer back. He grabbed it again and said, "I wanted to show you something" and tried to open it and type in Safari, even though I was already in a Zoom call.
I was like, “Stop touching my stuff and leave me alone.” He responded: "What's the big deal?" so, I said, "I would never grab your phone,” (which was laying out on the table), “or a jacket without asking your permission…and why are you touching my stuff without my consent?” So, he freaking responded to me like this: "Why are you crying out like this, it's not a big deal," I was like, "That's too much - let's drop this.” He said, "Yes, let's drop this, including our potential friendship," so, I was like, "Very happy to!" Then he left, mumbling things like,“What's wrong with you?” and blahhh!
Once he left, I talked to my friend who was sitting at the corner of the table. WTF just happened. I asked him if that happened to me because I am a young person and/or because I am a woman, or because I am Asian? He said it's not about any of that - it’s just about him. Yes! That's true; it was his problem only, it had nothing to do with me being young, or a woman with a vagina, or being Asian. That was just his bad behavior and not understanding boundaries or respect for other human beings, or personal space. He was just generally a stupid-crazy-creepy person. With all his stupidness, he impacted other people.
Now that I wrote down my angry reflections about this experience, to talk about it out loud, I can help to create a better and fairer world, regardless of race, gender, or religion. As long as we accept toxic and inappropriate behaviors and attitudes in our society, we will continue to suffer negative consequences. We are responsible for creating a better place for all of us.