Freedom of speech and expression comes under basic human rights. It allows us to speak freely, voice our opinions on any matter and interact with anyone we want. However, with that great power, there must also come great responsibility.
Given how a conversation is a two-way road, we must learn to respect everyone’s boundaries and detect the signs that our presence is unwanted. Because if we don’t do so, we end up violating somebody else’s freedom to not express.
Such a situation arose in a flight when a man sparked a conversation with a woman and kept pestering her till she became uncomfortable. And things could’ve gotten worse if it wasn’t journalist Joanna Chiu and the other women in the aeroplane.
A man appearing in his late thirties was obviously delighted to be seated next to a teenager separated from the rest of her family. He started off by asking about her career plans and laughed when she said she wanted to be CEO and kept giving her ridiculous advice.
— Joanna Chiu 趙淇欣 (@joannachiu) March 25, 2019
It did, and as soon as he asked for a “dirty” photo while leaning close to her I turned around and rage-whispered exactly what I thought of that and he didn’t say anything back and went off to use the washroom.
— Joanna Chiu 趙淇欣 (@joannachiu) March 25, 2019
They checked other witness accounts and the head of the flight service (a woman) asked the man to move. He resisted then started swearing at me and asked to talk to the boss and the head flight attendant said “I’m the boss, this is really serious and we could land the plane.”
— Joanna Chiu 趙淇欣 (@joannachiu) March 25, 2019
But none of the male passengers seemed to show they noticed what was going on. Maybe fellow women are more likely to pick up on warning signs early on in the conversation because we used to be teenage girls too?
— Joanna Chiu 趙淇欣 (@joannachiu) March 25, 2019
Joanna Chiu shared her personal experience and requested everyone (especially men) to be aware of what’s happening around them.
The second time I traveled alone an older man struck up a convo while we waited for boarding and he asked about many details of my travels then kissed me without my consent. I was too shocked to say anything.
— Joanna Chiu 趙淇欣 (@joannachiu) March 25, 2019
It’s so disturbing there are predatory people out there who act like they have no idea what they’re doing is wrong. It’s unclear if the man is going to be monitored by flight crew the next time he flies.
— Joanna Chiu 趙淇欣 (@joannachiu) March 25, 2019
Later on, Joanna received a letter of gratitude from the flight crew for stepping in at the right moment.
I don’t want to say name of airline because journalists have to be careful not to make endorsements but just want to say that this Canadian airline crew handled the situation so well. Workplaces, schools, sports teams etc. can take note. They even gave me and other woman a card. pic.twitter.com/6irPimuRZb
— Joanna Chiu 趙淇欣 (@joannachiu) March 25, 2019
I’m sure the young woman he targeted will be CEO someday or some other position of influence. She was in the middle of studying when he started harassing her. It’s sad these experiences are extremely common. Recommend @JessicaValenti’s memoir for insights: https://t.co/572fVfvNvd
— Joanna Chiu 趙淇欣 (@joannachiu) March 25, 2019
Netizens lauded Joanna for her actions and requested bystanders to emulate the attitude she has towards predatory men.
Excellent thread about dealing with creepers on public transportation, in this case, flights. Please share. https://t.co/C0eqX1es6s
— Lily Burana 🗽 (@lilyburana) March 25, 2019
Twice in my life I have fallen asleep on a flight and awakened with the man in the seat next to me touching my body. Once I was on a 100% full red eye beside two drunk bros who got so loudly sexist and gross that the flight attendant apologized and offered me her jump seat. https://t.co/TmjJ4yjO8h
— Delilah S. Dawson (@DelilahSDawson) March 25, 2019
This is a good thread. I've had similar experiences, which are especially uncomfortable when you're in the window seat and dude hitting on you is between you and the aisle. https://t.co/xWYywlGcEq
— Laura Payton (@laura_payton) March 25, 2019
This sort of thing happens all the time to teenage girls. Rock on to both the women here for intervening, and to the airline for getting the job done and keeping the teenager safe. Also: GRRRR. https://t.co/0AzGwCM38M
— Maria DahvanaHeadley (@MARIADAHVANA) March 25, 2019
Sexual harassment on public transportation is crazy common (especially of minors). Good thread with links at the end about how to intervene. GENTLEMEN- please pay attention too! https://t.co/kisWMsk72F
— angela sebastiana 🦉 (@angsebastiana) March 25, 2019
Brava Joanna Chiu. A girl or woman trapped on a plane with a creepy man seated next to her is a nightmare. Thank God, there was a Joanna close. Decent men should've interceded, as well. This thread is powerful on circumventing trauma for someone else https://t.co/zDWb7TEaQq
— Robin Egg Blue (@robinstillrocks) March 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/Highwireart/status/1110211237789364224
Good on you and other women for intervening. https://t.co/tPb49AsyD3
— The Literary Shed (@TheLiteraryShed) March 25, 2019
This whole thread. More socially responsible people like this please. https://t.co/tFsRPKbyYJ
— Snapples (@silversnapples) March 25, 2019
It’s important to understand that our social environment doesn’t become unsafe due to some unseen dark force. We make it that way either by actively harming it or by choosing to look away. So, if you don’t want your children to grow up in a world where people can invade each other’s privacy and harass them for no good reason, then start acting like Joanna.