People are cheering this woman who stopped a man harassing a teen girl on a flight and it’s a lesson for us all
It’s an unfortunate fact of life that most women who have travelled alone, especially on a plane, have been subject to the unwanted attentions of a fellow traveller – men, obviously – every now and again.
It was a situation that was highlighted once again when writer Joanna Chiu shared what happened to the teenage girl sat behind her on a recent flight. Her description of the incident went viral – and had people cheering with what happened next.
Thread about airplane creeps: I’m on a plane from a late-evening stopover from and was very tired and had a row to myself to sleep but couldn’t avoid noticing what was going on in the row behind me.
— Joanna Chiu (@joannachiu) March 25, 2019
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
She was friendly and he seemed to take that as a welcome cue to get very familiar and started teasing her and kept saying that he wanted to take her out to eat, which she was ignoring. At this point I had to stay awake in case anything went further than that.
— 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
Another woman seated behind him was listening and monitoring too and while the man was gone she let the teen know that she had the right to change seats and that she was just behind her if she needed any help. I went to get a flight attendant and informed her of what was going on
— 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
He moved. The attendants checked in with the young woman and wrote up a report. They handled the situation well as far as I could tell, and it’s good to know other adult women passengers on the plane were paying attention and taking action while trying not to embarrass the teen.
— 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
The first time I traveled without my parents the man next to me spoke with me most of the flight, which made me feel adult and important, and he said things like I must be flirting because I was touching the zipper on my jacket. To his credit he stopped and later looked ashamed.
— Joanna Chiu 趙淇欣 (@joannachiu) March 25, 2019
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
All adults need to be on guard and know there are things we can do to intervene even when a crime hadn’t technically been committed yet. Men need to figure out how to “spot creeps” in their vicinity as well and men can help too to prevent harassment or assault.
— 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
Just walked off the plane and security was ready to pull him aside to talk to him and he looked like he was sweating bullets.
— Joanna Chiu 趙淇欣 (@joannachiu) March 25, 2019
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
Oh, and I also caught his name and the company he works for. I’ll be sending a private note to them.
— 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
And here’s what happened later.
Wow this took off overnight. Can we share some resources on how to intervene safely in public spaces?
— Joanna Chiu 趙淇欣 (@joannachiu) March 25, 2019
Bystander intervention training: https://t.co/88TnNtnFhD
— Joanna Chiu 趙淇欣 (@joannachiu) March 25, 2019
Hundreds of men have also shared the Twitter thread and many said that they weren’t aware that airplane harassment was so common, and they promised to be vigilant, too. The comments were really interesting because people were very honest about how in some cases, they feel unsure.
— Joanna Chiu 趙淇欣 (@joannachiu) March 25, 2019
And here are a few of the responses it generated, including many people with similar stories to tell.
similar sitch in bookstore cafe recently. young woman at next table did not speak much english being hit on relentlessly by older guy, she's trying so hard to be polite. i finally leaned over and stared and said loudly SHE'S NOT INTERESTED. held his gaze until he walked away.1/2
— MarjorieIngall (@MarjorieIngall) March 25, 2019
she said "in my country we have to be polite to older people. i did not know what to do." it was SO CLEAR that she was uncomfortable and stuck, and that he was creeping. we were SURROUNDED by tables of dudes; none were gonna intervene.
— MarjorieIngall (@MarjorieIngall) March 25, 2019
and thank god, women have done the same for MY teenage daughter. guy on subway platform late at night harassing her, two older women stood w/her & sat next to her on train and just GLARED at him & talked loudly to her. stayed till she left train & he stayed on. SISTERS.
— MarjorieIngall (@MarjorieIngall) March 25, 2019
This made me tear up after an overwhelming day! Thank you!
— Joanna Chiu 趙淇欣 (@joannachiu) March 26, 2019
This thread. Pay attention. https://t.co/DulIDkL0Fh
— Celeste Ng (@pronounced_ing) March 25, 2019
All parents send you an enormous thank you. I have been in that teenager’s position more than once. On one occasion a young man on a train stepped in to help me. I’ve also stepped in as an older woman to help young girls. Thank goodness you were there for this girl.
— Denise Louis 📻 (@birdyluisa) 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 Dahvana Headley (@MARIADAHVANA) March 25, 2019
My parent self thanks you but so does the teenager I used to be. I would have been trapped by politeness and a desire not to seem unsophisticated.
— Sandy Irvin (@becauseisaidso) March 25, 2019
Read this. I truly don’t think men realize that when you’re a teenaged girl shit like this is common. As an adult I feel like I have to keep a weather eye out for young women. https://t.co/FKSGp5phpq
— Christine Nangle (@nanglish) March 25, 2019