Sorry everyone is going through dealing with idiots.
Perhaps it's expectation management to a certain extent as well.
I used to feel isolated and like I was the only one receiving comments or odd behaviour (am I doing something to attract it? Is it me?).
I do think they're out there and everyone goes through them. Look up things like "holla back". Or the bullying reports coming out from ALL mainstream employers now.
There's a reason WFH is so popular and people are voting with their feet (weirdly, a lot of super posh people take their degrees with the Open university so they avoid FTF!).
As a matter of principle I'm confident doing things solo and being single suits me.
However, I acknowledge this does definitely come with a lot of vulnerability to aggressive and weird behaviour.
(And not having a partner means if I have a weird incident I can't go and tell them about it, so I then tend to get anxious and worry too much about it!)
My strategy at this life stage is to minimise going out (or do things which are tried and tested and which I feel are safe spaces).
I'm focussing on longer term goals and everything else is peripheral. Not a total hermit but taking social stuff very lightly.
I'm probably going to be able to WFH forever now (fingers crossed) but if I have to go into another physical workspace I'll aim to completely grey-rock my appearance and personality and not share any personal info.
Its been a bit lonely but MUCH better for my peace of mind
I'd also say there is a higher probability the more you're "out-out" as well.
After lockdown I got quite enthusiastic about "let's go and meet new people and dates".
Maybe it's an age/introvert thing but I found so many micro-aggressions, odd behaviour...I think as a lot more normal people are WFH and staying in now.
So the proportion of odd aggressive people on the street is higher.
And obviously they'll target solo women on whatever they can
Appearance is a cheap shot we all have to endure. Or I've noticed some weird men can deliberately "invade my space". Or deliberately giving awful customer service or something like that as a dick move.
It's all random aggression - appearance is totally irrelevant.
I also agree with the pp comments about confidence and jealousy.
I don't SEE myself as a high achiever (I'm single and not a brain surgeon on six figures) and have low self-esteem in many ways.
However, for some spiteful people just seeing a midrange woman being content and getting on with life is like a "red rag to a bull".
Especially if they're dealing with difficult partners or home lives. They're not happy in themselves so need to go dominate someone else to release the tension.
OP sounds mainstream, thoughtful, works, runs a few times a week, time to socialise, no drama person. She hasn't settled for a crap relationship just because she's single.
She's clearly not an aggressive type "fighting small battles" which in a long term is better for her wellbeing.
Even if she doesn't THINK she's confident, her life choices belie that.
For someone who is dealing with a lot of conflict, her life is probably pretty envy-inducing. So they need to knock her down.
I've definitely had those vile "unsolicited chats and advice" from controlling people who can't stand the fact someone is self-contained and content in themselves so feel the need to dominate.
I must say I've never mastered the snappy comeback, but I just avoid them like the plague then!