Your life and safety are no joke, so it’s always best to err on the side of caution. One study shows that nearly two-thirds of women have experienced street harassment. So, first impressions are certainly important when it comes to staying vigilant. Nobody’s denying that. However, they’re not always accurate. In some cases, you can wildly misinterpret a stranger’s character and intent just because they happen to be in your vicinity.
To that end, some of the men on the internet took to r/AskReddit and spilled the beans about the biggest misunderstandings they’ve been in, where someone wrongly labeled them as creeps. Scroll down to read all about their awkward and embarrassing stories.

#21

I took my younger brother to a trampoline park (I’m in my 20s and he’s 8). He accidentally jumped near one of the younger kids and they started crying. This kids mother was nowhere near him and I went over to ask if he needed any help, if he was ok and where his parents / guardian was. He was very distraught and didn’t answer but when his mom finally did show up, she gave me this look that just screamed “get away from my child” and snapped at me saying “I can handle it.” Mind you she didn’t show up for at least a minute while this kid was screaming and I was trying to find who this kids guardian was.
I totally understand stranger danger as a young child and being careful, and I know parents can be protective of their children. However, I was leaning down next to him with my younger brother with me making sure he was ok. If I was a woman, this probably would have gone differently. It is what it is I guess.
I totally understand stranger danger as a young child and being careful, and I know parents can be protective of their children. However, I was leaning down next to him with my younger brother with me making sure he was ok. If I was a woman, this probably would have gone differently. It is what it is I guess.
49points
#22

When I was around 23-24 I used to play/teach kids how to play basketball at a local park. Kids middle school aged. Some boys (as a joke) started saying I was a p*do.
I stopped playing with those kids shortly after. I honestly have avoided playing basketball near kids at a park ever since.
My wife thinks I’m being ridiculous because it’s been around 8yrs since then, but I’m honestly still scared. I avoid kids all together other than my nephews these days.
I stopped playing with those kids shortly after. I honestly have avoided playing basketball near kids at a park ever since.
My wife thinks I’m being ridiculous because it’s been around 8yrs since then, but I’m honestly still scared. I avoid kids all together other than my nephews these days.
44points
#23

When I was in high school at a fair I had a middle school girl "hit" on me and ask me out, my simple response was "you're too young to date and I'm too old for you." An older lady at the fair tapped me on the shoulder to tell me I'm a creep for talking to a young girl.
43points
#24

I got called out as a creep because I walked with my dog near a kindergarten, I was just out walking with the dog and the kids ran to the gate (they couldn't get out to me and the dog) and wanted to pet my dog through the fence, my dog loves kids so I let them, after a few minutes one of the teachers or what they are called came and told the kids to get away and told me that it was inappropriate and creepish behavior.
Since then I never go near kids or kindergartens.
Since then I never go near kids or kindergartens.
42points
#25

I worked in fighter jets. A girl came out to talk to the pilot during an engine running refuel and she had no business being near it, didn’t know the safety zones. She walked up and looked directly into the running engine. I know there isn’t enough pull to suck her up at idle but it can suck the pens out of her arm pen holder for sure so I ran up, grabbed her by the jacket on her shoulders and threw her behind me, she absolutely flew and fell on her face.
I saved her from wrecking a multimillion dollar engine at best, her life at worst. All because she was flirting with the f*****g pilot. How do I know? I had a 3 sided comm cord and heard the whole f*****g thing. She called me a creep for it and tried to get me in trouble.
I saved her from wrecking a multimillion dollar engine at best, her life at worst. All because she was flirting with the f*****g pilot. How do I know? I had a 3 sided comm cord and heard the whole f*****g thing. She called me a creep for it and tried to get me in trouble.
39points
#26

I was about 15 at a house party I once helped an extremely drunk girl same age as me get picked up safely by her parents, only people thought I was trying to sleep with her and get her to come home with me, so they wouldn't let us leave the house together.
I had to ring her dad to come into the house to get her and I helped them out to the car.
Her friends where more concerned that they thought I was trying to sleep with her than the actual wellbeing of their friend. They where useless.
Anyway, even though the girl in question told everyone to stop and couldn't stick up for me anymore than she did, I was known as a creep for years.
It Destroyed my self confidence at the time and I didn't go out again in that manner until I was almost 20.
I had to ring her dad to come into the house to get her and I helped them out to the car.
Her friends where more concerned that they thought I was trying to sleep with her than the actual wellbeing of their friend. They where useless.
Anyway, even though the girl in question told everyone to stop and couldn't stick up for me anymore than she did, I was known as a creep for years.
It Destroyed my self confidence at the time and I didn't go out again in that manner until I was almost 20.
39points
#27

I worked in a childcare. That was enough for some people.
I told people I was an education major.
Having a beard and wearing. Glasses.
I told people I was an education major.
Having a beard and wearing. Glasses.
39points
#28

I got banned from a fashion sub for saying someone's thigh-highs were excellent (they had a blood splotch pattern that genuinely looked sick). I asked why and the mod said, "you know why, creep" and then blocked me from contacting the mods.
People are real quick to be a******s. But also, they didn't know me at all and their bad take isn't a reflection of me in any way. Nor is it a reflection on the serious and overwhelming problems women have with creeps.
People are real quick to be a******s. But also, they didn't know me at all and their bad take isn't a reflection of me in any way. Nor is it a reflection on the serious and overwhelming problems women have with creeps.
37points
#29

I once helped a girl take off her wetsuit when I was 15. She asked since she wasnt able to fix it herself and she was freezing.
Next thing I know, around 15 girls from around 14 years old are calling me creep. I was stuck with them for a whole week being the only guy in that group, so yeah, that was a great experience at sailing camp. Did a great job to my self-esteem for the next 6 years. They treated me like c**p for the whole week while I did nothing wrong.
Next thing I know, around 15 girls from around 14 years old are calling me creep. I was stuck with them for a whole week being the only guy in that group, so yeah, that was a great experience at sailing camp. Did a great job to my self-esteem for the next 6 years. They treated me like c**p for the whole week while I did nothing wrong.
35points
#30

So I used to have this canvas in the back seat of my car that was designed so my dog could ride with me and not slip down on the floor and it would also wrangle her hair and help keep it from going everywhere.
I went on a date with a girl that I’d already met and when she saw the canvas in the back of my car she refused to get in because she thought I was trying to m*rder her and use that to wrap up her body.
I just said “Okay, sorry for making you feel that way, I assure you I wasn’t ever going to try and m*rder you.” and then I never pursued her romantically again.
I went on a date with a girl that I’d already met and when she saw the canvas in the back of my car she refused to get in because she thought I was trying to m*rder her and use that to wrap up her body.
I just said “Okay, sorry for making you feel that way, I assure you I wasn’t ever going to try and m*rder you.” and then I never pursued her romantically again.
32points


