I'm going to a social thing tonight - getting home

[Barcelina]

I feel very relaxed about it but IME others have strong views about how a woman should get home, so interested to see what others would do.

It's only about 1.5 miles from home along busy roads. My preference would be to walk and have a couple of drinks. It will be daylight on the way there, but dark on the way back.

I know that if I walk, others (men) will offer a lift. These are people I know a bit but am not close to. I'm more comfortable walking alone than in a car alone with a man I don't know well. They will feel strongly that I shouldn't walk alone.

So I accept the lift, argue my point and insist on walking...or take my car?

I would just say that I prefer to walk and want to get my steps in and that you will let your friends know when you get home safe!

I also get carsick so would use that as an excuse.

Just do what you want to. You don't have to justify it. Say thanks but I really like walking

Yes, but it's never that easy. You have to deal with all the people who would "never forgive themselves if anything happened to you".

I'd either walk it or depending on mood/weather get an uber.

Tell them you are being picked up from a friend's house who lives round the corner if you don't want to say "no, bugger off and mind your own business"

I wouldn’t walk home alone in the dark, unless it was around the corner. Or unless I was walking with a friend.
On occasions where I’d be walking alone, I drive myself there and back and have an alcohol free night.

Assuming the busy roads have pavements, I'd have no issue with any of your plans. If I wanted a drink I would walk home but personally it wouldn't bother me getting a lift if someone was leaving at the same time as me. I wouldn't expect anyone to leave when I did specifically to take me home though.

When you say busy roads do you mean A-roads out of town or do you mean streets with lighting and shops etc?
I would definitely walk home in the city/town and just say firmly that I want to.
Not sure I’d walk along a bust A-road in the dark though even if it has a pavement. I’d get a taxi/uber if I wanted to drink.

Then keep saying it. "No. Thank you. I prefer to walk."

I would do whatever kept me the safest so I would take my car and not drink or, second, be glad of a lift if it was offered.

I would walk. In fact when I used to socialise I would happily walk the two miles home after a night out.

They can't force you to get into the car! You can just gently insist that you prefer to walk - the idea of saying you're getting your steps in is a good one!

What time are you walking back? And will you have been drinking? That would sway my view

It sounds like this question has arisen because you want to have a drink and therefore can't drive?

I would forego the drink rather than put myself in either of these situations.

Somewhere between 10 and 11pm. I'll have had a drink or two, too much to drive, but certainly not enough to be incapable on a school night!

Stand your ground. I'd happily walk that distance home along busy streets as long as it wasn't a dodgy area. These men don't get to decide what is or isn't safe for you!

I’d walk.

I can completely see why colleagues would be concerned or want to help you get home.
I would just insist, and perhaps say you do that walk all the time, and will be glad of fresh air

Walk if it’s nice and you feel like it, but 1.5 miles in a car with a male acquaintance doesn’t sound that dangerous either really. Must be about a five minute
drive.

Their feelings are their feelings. You can’t be responsible for their free-floating guilt. Just say you’re happy walking. I walk home alone from the city centre at all hours of the night. I accept the small risk.

Can't you get a taxi?

Walking is safer than being in the car though, and it's better for your health.

Why, when she’s happy to walk? A taxi for a 1.5 mile journey feels a bit insane.

Smile and shrug and say ‘OK’ then continue with your chosen plan.

You are an adult who is entitled to make decisions for yourself.

They are adults who are responsible for their own feelings.

No need to argue or convince anyone of anything.

And if they keep going say "seriously are you trying to kidnap me or something... ha ha"