Advice for a female college student walking in Phila. (Philadelphia: school, live in)

[eileenclaire]

Our daughter just started college on Broad Street at the PA Academy of Fine Arts. She is taking the Patco in (we live in New Jersey). She is not used to walking in a big city alone. She told us today that a man, 6 feet tall, shirtless, confronted her and harassed her. This was right near the college. A woman walking near by began talking to her and walking with her to help her out.


We want to advise her how best to handle any possible unwanted encounters with strangers who approach her.

What would you advise her if she were your daughter? She is 18 and inexperienced in a big city environment.

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

[rowhomecity]

Philadelphia is a no nonsense city.

If you are being harassed. Tell them to f** off.

Literally give them the finger and tell them to get the hell away. It is Broad St. you are fine.

Girls get in fights over bangs in this city. We are savage.

[Angus215]

Center city is about as safe as a city can be. Sure, there are weirdos, but they are generally harmless if you ignore them. If it were my daughter, I'd tell her to be aware of her surroundings, use common sense (ie. don't walk down a dark alley alone at night), walk with a friend when possible at night, ignore weirdos and carry pepper spray or one of those really loud alarm devices.

[thedirtypirate]

Originally Posted by rowhomecity

Philadelphia is a no nonsense city.

If you are being harassed. Tell them to f** off.

Literally give them the finger and tell them to get the hell away. It is Broad St. you are fine.

Girls get in fights over bangs in this city. We are savage.

That is not good advice. Do not engage random shirtless people, none the less antagonize them further..

PAFA is in a bit of a deadzone because of the very large convention center across the street. Traffic is crazy because of 676. Not the easiest spot to get to. Sounds like a bad experience though, and not reflective of something that would happen everyday. I assume she walked down Broad st. today, she should try walking down 15th to the back of pafa. It's more pedestrian friendly. General rule if you see someone ahead you don't want to come near and you really can't ignore them, then cross the street and if you can't do that than turn around if it is that big of a deal.

[DonaldJTrump]

Stay in groups when traveling. Keep your head on a swivel. Wear sneakers so you can run. Avoid the "youths". Don't be looking at your cell when walking out in public

[1ondoner]

I might add don't wear earphones or walk while listening to music. Always be aware of your surroundings and those around you. And don't get into an altercation unless to physically defend yourself from imminent harm. Walk away from crazies and don't be shy to call 911.

Originally Posted by DonaldJTrump

Stay in groups when traveling. Keep your head on a swivel. Wear sneakers so you can run. Avoid the "youths". Don't be looking at your cell when walking out in public

[southbound_295]

I'm female & spent 4 years at Philadelphia College of Art at the Haviland Bldg, at Broad & Pine. I took PATCO, when it was new.

We were told to always be aware of our surroundings. If walking by buildings with windows, watch out of the corner of the eye for the reflection in the window. That way you see what or who is behind you. Never engage with weirdos. Just keep moving.

If riding PATCO late at night, sit in the middle of the seat. You don't want or need to share the seat, late at night.

Art students frequently work late in the studios. One night a drunk sat next to me. He started getting handsy. I brushed his hand away twice. The 3rd time, I brushed the hand away, stood up, & at the top of my lungs cussed him out & told him to go to another seat. When he didn't move, I told him to keep his hands to himself & get out of my seat. He moved. After that, if l was on the train late, I planted myself in the middle of the seat. Never had another problem.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by rowhomecity

Philadelphia is a no nonsense city.

If you are being harassed. Tell them to f** off.

Literally give them the finger and tell them to get the hell away. It is Broad St. you are fine.

Girls get in fights over bangs in this city. We are savage.

That's not helpful. Never engage on the street. Just keep moving. The only time that I ever engaged with anyone it was a drunk that sat next to me, on PATCO, & got handsy. I was penned in.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by eileenclaire

Our daughter just started college on Broad Street at the PA Academy of Fine Arts. She is taking the Patco in (we live in New Jersey). She is not used to walking in a big city alone. She told us today that a man, 6 feet tall, shirtless, confronted her and harassed her. This was right near the college. A woman walking near by began talking to her and walking with her to help her out.


We want to advise her how best to handle any possible unwanted encounters with strangers who approach her.

What would you advise her if she were your daughter? She is 18 and inexperienced in a big city environment.

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

Unfortunately some of those folks hang out near the 7eleven on the corner of Broad and Race which is steps away from the PAFA. I go to cafe Tableau, in the Hamilton Bldg, a lot so I know what she saw.

Maybe because I'm a diehard city person, although I grew up in Philly 'burbs, I'm used to seeing people like that.

The best thing I can say is for her to just walk past whomever it is, try not listen or react to what they might say and do not respond although that could be hard. Keep moving and stay focused on whatever she needs to. It's a skill that one develops wrt being street smart.

The PAFA is such a great institution! Congrats that she is going to such a fabulous school! Hopefully she will make some friends soon which may help with her discomfort. Most students going there have seen this stuff or experienced it. She could ask them how they have handled it.

[eileenclaire]

Thank you all so much for your advice. It has been very helpful.