Safety for Canadian Women in UK?

[pkennedy1990]

I'm not sure whether the UK is supposed to be as dangerous as sub-Saharan Africa for single Canadian women or not! The Advice for Women Travellers site says to dress conservatively whenever in doubt, but I'm finding that that STILL makes all these European men all over me, just because I'm female and First Nations. I mean, maybe they've never seen a Micmac before, or they expect a "not American" to be dressed like a slut or something, or the fact that we're outside at ALL makes us "available" but for some reason London feels like 42nd Street New York (or Hollywood and Vine, for those West Coasters) in the States! I know I'm not the only Canadian woman who travels alone, and who's experiencing unwanted sexual attention wherever I go in these so-called "civilised" countries, but I'm getting sick and tired of this everywhere I go! I came here to teach Math and Science, not to have to beat sleazy men off me with a hockey stick just from walking down the street, sometimes in broad daylight! I'm so fed up I'm thinking that going back to the Land of No Jobs (Nova Scotia) would be an improvement! The fact that there are supposedly more teaching jobs here than in all of Canada doesn't make it worth getting treated like a walking rape magnet, like everywhere else outside Canada that I've been.

[Michelle]

OK, can't say I have experienced that feeling at all!
I don't live in London but I sure didn't feel it when I lived in Glasgow. Sorry to hear you are having a negative time of it.

[Brenda]

Can't say anyone has made me feel like a "rape magnet"....
Eejit, yes; rape magnet - never!

[pleehk97]

Wow, can't say I've felt as strongly as you had when I was living there. But this is Europe and men express their interested (nice or not) more overtly then what we're probably used to in Canada. However believe me, it's improved a lot when I first went years ago. I think that men will definitely give a girl attention if they can see that it can affect you. The way you walk, carry yourself can totally make a difference. Keep your head high and let them know that you know they're there (ie. don't stare but glimpse like you see them) and walk like you know exactly where you're going. Confidence can totally make a difference. Hang in there, they're not all that bad.

[al_ldn]

all the europeans want is a ticket out of their crappy country. it doesnt matter if you are m/f. its the passport

[Michelle]

[quote="al_ldn"]all the europeans want is a ticket out of their crappy country. it doesnt matter if you are m/f. its the passport[/quote]

What does that mean?

[CanuckAbroad]

al_ldn,

That's pretty ignorant.

[Elleh]

You can wear whatever you want in the UK, it's basically just the same as Canada. That seems a go-figure, but whatever. In major cities, you can wear almost anything except your birthday suit in public.

And al_ldn, you are an idiot. It's culture, and most of the western countries are third wave. Get your facts straight.