Man Bumping: This is what happened since I stopped avoiding men on the street

I live in a very busy area in Hamburg. Especially in the evenings during rush hour, either when I'm coming home from work or going to the gym, I'm forced to navigate through and around small groups of people. This is particularly annoying when I'm in a hurry: one morning I overlooked a man with a briefcase and touched his shoulder a little.

After the near collision (it was a close call, but I still got a dirty look), I noticed that I often have to avoid men in particular, while they stay on their way. If I don't swerve, they run into me. The unintentional test has shown it once again. What could be the reason for this?

Once again, the patriarchy is to blame

In fact, my chance observation has long been known in social science. Studies from the 1990s, for example by Ursula Nissen ( "Childhood, Gender and Space" ) and Robert Gifford , have shown that boys act much more physically in public spaces than girls. Men take up more space - literally - from childhood and are used to being let. Thanks to the patriarchal structures of our society.

It's almost impossible to be angry with men, with the emphasis on almost. All their lives they have been encouraged to think that it is their right to be in a place. That they have priority to be there. Men spread their legs on subways and trains, they shout across cafes and laugh loudly in bars. Men rarely give in. Quite unlike women: we are not brought up to take up space. On the contrary: women are supposed to be compliant and well-behaved, to avoid getting in anyone's way, to do their jobs diligently, but not to demand too much. That's how we were socialized. It's deeply rooted in us.

Man Bumping: How to draw attention to yourself from now on

I'm fed up with avoiding men. But I also don't want to constantly have elbows or briefcases rammed into my side or being hit by Rimowa suitcases. So I'm starting an experiment on myself: From now on, I'm not going to avoid the "stronger sex" anymore, instead I'm going to make eye contact and, if necessary, walk more slowly to signal: "Hey, I'm walking here too and I'm not going to change my course for you."

My experiment is also known online as man bumping. This is apt because occasional collisions with male passers-by are unavoidable. They really aren't prepared for a woman not to make way for them. Surprisingly, not as many men run into me as I initially thought. Most of them are confused that I'm stepping in their way or not moving out of the way as they are used to. I remain friendly but firm. I switch off my first instinct to step aside. Sometimes I smile and get surprised looks.

Since I started "man bumping," I've not only reached my goal faster, but it also honestly feels good to put a few men in their place. For me, running straight is a form of microfeminism that I integrate into my everyday life when I feel like it. Because, to be honest, sometimes I just don't have the energy for any kind of confrontation.

Brigitte

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