Thursday, April 23, 2009

Ikky and Creepy

I was in Putney tonight where I am resident compere at a great show called Duke's Headliners and (you guessed it) the Duke's Head pub.

Had a rather horrific experience on the way there though. Stopped in a newsagents to buy a can of drink and I was just at the counter paying (so i.e. using both hands to sort through my bag for the right change) when a guy came in, walked up right behind me and, with his arms out to either side of me, started vigorously thrusting his groin into my bum. Essentially he was miming anally raping me and sorry if that sounds shocking but that is what he was doing. Of course we were both fully dressed but he did make repeated physical contact.

I spun round and demanded to know what the fuck he thought he was doing (I was thinking their must be some explanation cos surely no-one would actually do that in a well-lit shop with witnesses there). He said he was "waving to his friend" and indicated the man behind the counter. I told him that was not the way that you wave to a friend. And he said "calm down love, I work round here".

Then he picked up whatever it was he had come in for, paid for it (the newsagent served him quite normally despite the fact that I was cowering by the door shocked and frightened). Then after he had left I paid for my stuff and he said "Sorry about that. He's a bit funny. We've tried to bar him but it doesn't work".

I did try to take a picture of the asshole but unfortunately my phone memory is full and I didn't have time to sort it out before he left. In retrospect I wish I'd just punched him. I suppose I could have called the police but I know from experience they'd most likely have told me I'd misunderstood and then refused to write it down as a crime and then I probably would have punched someone.

Despite that bad start to the night we had a great show. Although to be honest that's mostly testament to my ability to put things to one side and do a good show. Now I am home and despite proper comfort food dinner (deep cheese pizza and garlic bread) I still feel pretty grossed out and dirty. I think I'll put my jeans in the wash and take a shower.

9 comments:

warriorgrrl said...

That's really horrible, I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I've had various non-requested touchings / grabbings from male strangers over my years in London and each time I'm in shock that it has actually happened and angry that no-one around me even started to step in and do something about it.

Just on Sunday afternoon a drunk guy on the tube lunged at me seemingly to pretend to grab my handbag as a big joke for him and his friends. I was listening to my iPod and studiously not making eye contact with him or his buddies so it was a real shock when his leering face suddenly appeared 5cm from mine. It was all over in a flash, I told him to fuck off (probably louder than I usually would because I was listening to music!) and he jumped off the train. I turned around to gauge the reaction from others in the carriage and it was almost as if I was invisible. It's been that way every time :(

Sorry if this comment is even more depressing than what happened to you today. Well done on putting it aside and getting on with your show, well done for questioning the guy about his actions and well done for blogging about it. We have to do what we can!

CathElliott said...

Fcuking bastard.

Hope you're ok Kate. (((hug)))

Kate Rowlands said...

Next time (hopefully there won't be): elbow to the groin. "Yes, officer, I was waving to my friend and that accounts for the sharp backward thrust of my arm making contact with the thing the man thinks with."

butterflywings said...

Jeez. What an arsehole. Sorry to hear you had to go through that.

warriorgrrl - the winter before last, some guy grabbed my scarf at a bus stop. I thought he was about to attack me, or snatch my bag at best, but he started laughing.
I let him know that isn't funny - in no uncertain terms.

And I know what you mean about being invisible, maybe it's a London thing.

butterflywings said...

Ps. YEAH comfort food!

Hope you feel better - and kudos, there's no way I could get on with things as if nothing happened after that.

Anonymous said...

"Sorry, we tried to do something but it didn't work so you just have to live with it?!! That's crap!

Jeremy Jacobs said...

You on Twitter Cruella?

Cruella said...

Yes I am Cruella1. I have the twitter box on my blog (on the right) so you can just click there...

Cruella said...

Oh yes and also "we tried to bar him but it didn't work". Then just don't serve the guy and if he comes back call the police. Don't just serve him...