Vacation Hassle

I am from Oakland, CA and the transgressions I encounter here could take me days to write down, but the most disgusting and humilating one I can remember happened in Hawaii a few years ago. I was on a women's surf retreat in Oahu. The only real vacation I have ever had. One morning we were surfing at this spot where you can paddle into and rest in a cove. I was just sitting there on my board, in my rash guard, which is a long sleeve top and some modest bikini bottoms. Resting and taking in the beach, I looked at the shore and saw this man standing in the bushes. He was wearing the Parks/Beaches employee uniform. I was curious and annoyed because he was just standing there blatantly staring. But as I stared back I saw some movement of his hand and arm. That's when I realized he was masturbating. I was mortified to say the least! I just sat there paralyzed. I thought if I just stared him down he would become embarrassed and stop, but of course he didn't. Finally I was so freaked I just laid back down (something I did not want to do at all since I knew he would be looking at my ass) and paddled out to the waves. I turned around once to see if he was gone but he had just finished his session and waved to me as he walked away, as if thanking me!!!! Repulsive!!! Shame on that fucker, double shame for being an employee of the beach and a dirty asshole. That experience ruined the trip for me.

Submitted by Jenny in Oakland, CA

creep at 24th and Bartlett

I walk to BART every morning and have to pass the corner of 24th Street and Bartlett. There's a middle-aged man who stands there, at the liquor store on the corner. He started out simply by saying "good morning," to which, of course, I initially replied "good morning," but it quickly escalated to a mumbled "tu eres muy bonita" and whatever else I couldn't make out. In and of itself the statement didn't feel like harassment except for his using the "tu familiar" form--he couldn't possibly have known that I understand Spanish (when I stopped responding to him altogether he said something about being sorry he didn't speak English) but that made me know that he was being inappropriate and overly friendly. Day in day out of this EVERY DAY and soon enough I came to dread passing this corner. I'm a 41-year old woman and am furious that this man has made me feel so uncomfortable walking in my own neighborhood. I saw him coming up the BART stairs early one morning--does he really take the train from somewhere else to come stand in my neighborhood and harass women? I don't have a camera phone, but if I'm ever carrying a camera when I'm on the street I'm taking his picture and sending it in. Thanks for starting Holla Back-SF!!

Submitted by Carla in San Francisco