It’s official. We live in a primitive state of nature, a lawless country where every man is against every man.
So I was innocently making my way to a meeting this morning when two guys on a roughed-up motorbike appeared to be having a joy ride between jam-packed cars, cramming their way through tiny spaces and driving with excessive force while inducing sudden skids in a clear attempt to attract everyone’s attention. They literally behaved like two domineering hyenas that have come to disturb the peace and create chaos.
Before I knew it, the two animals decided to tail me and occasionally show up at my window flashing their crooked teeth in what seemed like the most pathetic attempt to pick me up. So naturally I was keen on not making any sort of eye contact with them and did my best to get as far away as possible from them. Ironically, this seemed to only encourage them further. Before I knew it traffic came to a screeching halt and I felt a loud thud on the side of my car. It turns out my sudden brake had caused them to ram their bike into back right side of my vehicle.
I turned around to comprehend the situation but the thug was yelling profanities at me and punching my car with his hand. At first I thought perhaps he wanted to tell me something or needed help but I looked into his eyes and realized that he was in a state of rage demanding I stop my car and get down. “I’ll teach you a lesson you bitch” he kept saying. So I stepped on it though there was nowhere to really go. They started following me for a good 3 minutes while I fumbled with my phone to call for help. Everyone around me just sat back and watched it all go down in the comfort of their cars. No one lifted a finger.
The funny part is one swerve from my car would have probably incapacitated the guys but my good judgment told me to just drive as far away as possible. They followed me some more until traffic finally cleared and I made a run for it.
Following the dramatic series of violent incidents and bloody crimes carried out over the past couple of days in Lebanon, everyone seems hypertensive to their surroundings including myself. I’m usually confrontational in such situations but an alarm kept going off in my head, what if they had a gun?
Some of you may tell me that I should have reported them to the police or at least noted their plate numbers. Maybe I should have but I did neither. I was in full-survival mode, I couldn’t even dial a number on my phone. To be honest, I freaked out. And to be even more honest, I’ve simply lost trust in the system. I think it may be time for a move. Air miles anyone?
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Oh my God, 7amdellah 3assalemeh!
I can’t believe the ass holes in these country!! And I totally understand what you mean, in such situations, the most reasonable actions usually come to mind when you are safe and can thing straight. Anyone who would tell you “you should have” is just being smart… and useless. And you were right not to confront them. Violent people in such situations will hurt you because if you can hardly contain yourself, imagine what they would do. And yes, people may be armed these days, unfortunately this is the sad reality we now live in. I do hope these ass holes run into an even more jerk of a policeman and they get what they deserve. 7amdellah 3assalemeh once again!
Ivy,
You should share this on http://qawemeharassment.com/
It is a Lebanese site to report incidents of harassment inspired by “hollaback!”
stay safe Ivy.
Two words:
Pepper Spray
Thank God you’re fine!
Hamdellah 3al salemeh
I’m glad you came out alright. It’s upsetting. Take care and enjoy the weekend 🙂
You did the right thing.
I assume a lot of their reaction was embarrassment at sliding into the back of a car whilst showing off in front of a crowd, damaged machismo and all that, but you can never be sure. No point in sticking around to find out.
If the situation got worse than just shouting I’d like to think that the drivers around you would have come to your aid…
The important thing is that you’re mostly ok!
If i were you, I have a car they have bikes. RUN THEM OVER!!! So that other thugs can learn what will happen to them if they act likewise. Hyenas need lions to put them down……
You’re more than welcome to Dubai but how will this Lebanese keep enjoying your Beirut-streets stories?
Hmmm, a scary experience, but let me give you some tips. You cannot run over them (as Ali Hamdar suggest) because you would be the guilty party. However; take pictures of the guys with your cell phone and let them see you are taking pictures. Take pictures of their license plates. If he bumps into you from the back, and you feel like he is going to harrass you, back up OVER THE BIKE, he sure as hell is not going to follow you anymore. Call the police, and let them now you are calling the police. Park next to a nearby dikkaneh where you see some men (in their forties would be your best bet) and let them now these 2 men are harrassing you. You’d be amazed what they’ll do to protect you. Good luck next time. 🙂
And just to make you feel better; you live in Beirut, not Stockton, California (http://sietske-in-beiroet.blogspot.com/2012/05/not-stockton-california.html)
Thanks so much to all of you for stopping by and showing your support. As you know; women all over the country are constantly subjected to this sort of harassment on a daily basis, with no real law enforcement or accountability. I’m just lucky enough to have a platform to voice out such incidents and will be more than happy to post about any other ones that anyone would like to send my way.
Have a great Monday!
I’ve had very similar incidents during my visits to Beirut. It got really bad once that I stopped to complain to a police officer who was parked on the road. He started questioning me in a very strange way and asked me if I was married!? I don’t know what that had to do with anything at all My relatives and friends told me that I should have reported him but the problem was that the reason I spoke to him in the first place was because someone else was bothering me. I live in Paris and although you can get bothered on the street by such guys you will always feel safe knowing that the government will protect you.
Abou’l Abed says …
If you behave like prey … you will be preyed on.
If you want to be noticed … you will be noticed.
In order not to be preyed on while you want to be noticed … do not leave the house without a predator on your arm.