to ask advice on street harassment

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I just want to be able to walk through Manchester City centre in broad daylight without being harangued. Like everyone else I have to run the gauntlet between the religious proselytizers and the charity fundraisers. This time I was verbally harassed in sexist language by a Big Issue vendor for not buying from this man. This is street harassment. What can I do about it? I just want to mind my own business without feeling like a walking target. I know everyone says, 'Just say no thank you and they'll leave you alone.' Unfortunately that hasn't been my experience.

If you truly feel harassed, report them to their company/charity. If actually threatened or abused, speak to the police.

It's a flaming scandal this stuff still goes on. My sister is regularly approached by an aggressive beggar who appears to target only women. Whilst she tells him to leave her alone firmly, she is concerned he might be intimidating to others.

Thanks for your comments. I submitted a complaint to the Big Issue. I don't know if it will do any good.

I have stopped going into our city centre because of this sort of stuff.

I have to go in to pick up dd glasses, this afternoon and am dreading running the gauntlet. Pisses me off.

And they wonder why high street shops are in decline and everyone orders online . . .

Probably not the best solution but I find pair of headphones helps drown out the botherers, the over head type that are fashionable now.
Evemnif they do speak stillnyou can legitimately ignore the scum sucking annoying pissants people trying to sell crap.

Thank for that, Seeyounearertime. At least that's doable.

Years ago the Big Issue were pretty hot on not allowing their sellers to harass people. They may still be.

I was walking through town with my brother. Anybody who approached him, he looked them in the eye, gave them a huge smile and shook his head very slowly and deliberately. Not a word said. They all left him alone. It was bloody amazing.

So i tried it. It works.

I complained to the Big Issue last year about one of their sellers harassing people. They said they'd had a word with him and that they take behaviour seriously. He was better for a bit a least.

Re the chuggers, complain to the charity concerned. They will contact the company doing the chugging for them, chugger then can not work for several days - no salary. They will learn pretty quick what is unreasonable behaviour. Obviously only do if they are really persistant, if they take no for an answer fine.

Second that suggestion of headphones. Highly effective, as is pretending to take a phonecall. But certainly would report someone like the Big Issue guy to the magazine.

Actually me and my other half encountered a Big Issue seller today who was possibly the most polite Street seller of all-time!!! Good to know not all of them are harassment merchants!!!

Thank you so much for your feedback, everyone.

Cloppy, that's an amazing trick of your brother's! Unfortunately in Manchester city centre there are SO many BI vendors, chuggers, religious fanatics, etc. that I would spend every second shaking my head and smiling like a lunatic. It might give me whiplash.

But I am definitely going to try the headphones trick.

Bony, I'm glad to hear Big Issue took your complaint seriously. DarthVader, excellent that some vendors are indeed polite and respectful.