It is perfectly OK not to socially interact with a stranger who is approaching you

[Candy]

Absolutely right, I was being flippant - as in all harassment situations (well-intended or not) starving out the oxygen of reaction seems to be the best way forward - however counter-intuitive it seems for us as human beings and particularly women, raised to be ‘polite’ and responsive.

Oh yes! Absolutely! I am enjoying in my later( ish) life learning that I don't have to be this for myself or my dog. It's a steep learning curve though, and one that I feel I'm embracing far more fully now that I'm on my own. Still pondering the reasons behind this, never felt I needed Trevor to speak up for me, but... Well, I'm pondering, as I said.