street harassment - walking home

I was grateful to come across this article (and short film) on street harassment while perusing Clutch earlier today.  Grateful because I'm afraid it's one of those topics I have grown somewhat numb around.  Street harassment, especially in the summer, is such a given (especially here in NYC), I barely notice the way I brace myself everyday for it before going outside alone anymore. 

Thinking about street harassment, and what it means sends a chill down my spine.  It isn't about beauty or attraction, as it so often is innocently worded by the harasser to begin with.  It's about power, about control, even if only for a moment.  If you've ever walked past one of these advances without giving it any energy and found yourself walking away from a slew of insults (let's say, "Bitch!" for example, or "Oh you think you all that?!"), or quasi guilt trips ("You can't speak?!"), you know what I'm talking about.  Control, if only for a moment.

I usually just walk past.  It's the most honest, sane (and safe) thing to do in most cases.  Engaging seems like it would be akin to arguing with a drunk.  I walk past, while reminding myself of some simple facts about the moment:  This will be over in a matter of seconds.  This man is at a standstill on this sidewalk, talking sh#t, and I am going somewhere.  Long neck, chin level with the ground, half a smile on my face, I walk past.
What do you do?  Do you ever feel the need to talk back?  Have you ever just snapped?

Check out film maker Nuala Cabral's short film on the subject, Walking Home.