During my annual check up with my ophthamologist a short conversation on travel ensued. I mentioned, in some context, that I often travel alone. His immediate thought was how difficult that must be. Then went on to describe an incident, his sole experience traveling alone, where a man kept trying to pick him up and would barely take no for an answer. Thus he assumed that a woman alone would be constantly bombarded with male attention. I almost didn’t wish to disappoint him with the truth. (I also suspect that there are a few men and women who might accept such attention gladly.)

Perhaps a great deal has to do with one’s attitude, but I have rarely if ever been in an uncomfortable situation because of a man’s advances. Even while I was sharing the close quarters of an overnight train, I felt the rapport was quickly established as friendly, but nothing more. My challenges were limited to the day-to-day affairs. Where was I going? How would I get there? Where would I be staying? etc.

We all have our travel tales and he clearly had his but it did not resemble mine or others I know.