Suspicious in the city

Agonising over what to wear and not in a cutesy way, looking over your shoulder every so often, avoiding roving eyes and roaming hands 8212; I don8217;t deny that the whole fight or flight syndrome gives you a perpetual adrenaline rush, but it sure leaves you drained at the end of the day.

What is it about cities that calls out to people? Moths to a flame8230; Regardless of the low-life scum lurking around the corner, just out to get you 8212; and they do get you, even if it8217;s once in five years, they get to you. And play on your mind.

Forget the erratic electric or water supply, the fleecing by the auto-driver, overlook the killer buses8230; can you remain oblivious to the presence of the petty criminal? For how long?

It was a ridiculous, semi-serious incident that did it for me. I mean, car pulls up, yanks my bag off my arm and zips off. Could8217;ve been worse, in fact, would8217;ve been worse if I had chased them down. Of all the stupid, impulsive decisions, me running after the car ranks up there in the hall of fame. What was I expecting, an apology and my things back? More like an introduction to the seedier side of life, courtesy your friendly neighbourhood red light area.

I refuse to believe, however, that I should live in a place where I regret walking down the road walking is good for your health, hello! around dusk. Which obliging superhero type is around these days, though, to listen to my notions of fair play and justice?

I think it goes with the territory 8212; that extra X chromosome ensures that the bearer has to put up with a million things, like lack of safety and the 8216;8216;she was asking for it8217;8217; syndrome, to name a few. So much for equality. So much for enjoying a day off and feeling safe. So much for urban existence.