I'm going out on a limb and saying you're not a woman. There's no place on earth I could say I'd never feel unsafe walking alone at night. Although I'm less nervous in my own neighborhood in Los Angeles, just because it's familiar.

I did delve into your history to check before I spoke. I now know a lot more about Myanmar, (which was fascinating and took me so far back into your posts as to get creepy, my apologies ) and the NFL, and btw you're doing great at adding content to Lemmy, but the only posts about women's issues were the Toronto Tempo and one about abortion pill access that's consistent with your sound views on the present shithole US administration, and you didn't add any personal comments to.

[–] RandAlThor@lemmy.ca 2 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

That's kinda creepy. I don't have to go out on a limb to say you've never been to Canada while I've been to the biggest cities in the US. I live in Toronto. While I am a man I know a lot of women in my life who walk at night DOWNTOWN. And nobody would tell them they are insane to do that. It's not an issue here. It behooves me that you all assume the world is like the US. It isn't. Yes there are bad places to not walk at night - certain ghettos for instance, or a certain small city in the prairies with a reputation. The large ones - Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal in most parts are safe for both genders. Come and visit us sometime. Summer is better.

[–] Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago) (1 children)

I have been to Canada twice, Quebec and Toronto, and I wouldn't walk alone at night in either.

Edit: I guess I would if I absolutely HAD to, but I'd be uncomfortable as fuck about it. And I wonder if your female friends are as casual about it as you believe.

[–] RandAlThor@lemmy.ca 0 points 3 hours ago* (last edited 3 hours ago) (1 children)

That is a pity that your own bias and fears kept you indoors when nightlife in Quebec and Toronto are some of its best in the summer months. The street festivals? Such a shame you missed out on them because of your unfounded fears and holed up in your hotel. The streets would be teeming with people. The atmosphere electric. People walk around carefree and safe. It is a blessing to live like this.

Your fears are based on your own fears from your own country, not based on reality of our cities. Compare the crime rates there to here. Random muggings nor rapes just do not happen here. When they do, it's lead news here. The guns and the crimes of that US - we don't want to join the US. Not a chance. The life and realities are starkly different despite a common language and common colonial ancestry.

Economist has a safe cities index. Toronto ranks 2nd in the world as of the latest rankings. https://impact.economist.com/projects/safe-cities/ When it comes to violent crimes, Toronto's is almost half that of LA. https://www.thebesttoronto.com/which-is-best-toronto-or-la/

[–] Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 hours ago* (last edited 2 hours ago)

I know LA is worse, but I do feel safer in my neighborhood simply because it's familiar, so I'd spot trouble, and an escape route, more easily.

In your familiar territory, you feel that assaults on women "just do not happen here" because you haven't seen them personally.

Men don't even realize how much personal safety they take for granted simply because they aren't targets.

Even in a relatively safe city, it only takes one femicide if that woman is you.

And if a woman did go around with the attitude you're espousing and got raped or killed, a disgusting number of people would think, "she should have been more careful, she was asking for trouble."

I'm sure you're not that kind of guy. You seem like a good person. But your experience is not the same as any woman.

Even in Toronto.