It was years ago, I had just left a dance club. I saw a woman passed out on the floor, helpless and vulnerable. Immediately, my protective instincts kicked in. I decided to stand watch and wait for her to wake up so I could get her a cab or something. My gut told me not to leave her alone.
As I stood close by, I noticed a group of men watching her and talking among themselves. They started walking toward her, attempting to hail a cab, and I overheard one say, “let’s get her in a cab.”
That set me on edge. I felt in my pocket and moved closer toward her. I was unarmed since clubs often have security checks, and I was outnumbered and outsized, but I wasn’t about to stand by. When the group noticed me, they asked, “Is she with you?” Keeping my composure, I said, “Attempt to go through with your plan and you’ll find out.” The man seemed surprised. I moved closer to the woman and kept a close eye on the group. After a moment, they looked at each other and walked away. One of them made a remark as they went. I shook my head and watched until they moved around the corner, where they lingered for a while before eventually disappearing. I noticed a police officer nearby, but since no crime had been committed, I simply stayed put and waited for the woman to wake up.
This wasn’t the first time I’ve been in a situation like this. At a Yelp event once, a man tried to grab a woman I was with, and I stepped in and pushed him back. I pulled her away with the help of others and got her some water. She turned on me afterward, insisting she didn’t need anyone looking out for her. I got her into a cab and moved on.
It’s worth noting that men end up in vulnerable situations too. I once had to help a friend who was choking on his vomit. He was a large guy and nearly unconscious. I turned him on his side so he could breathe and eventually got him home. When we arrived, his grandparents were frantic. “Pero que es esto, que le has hecho a mi nieto?” I laid him on the bed and quietly let myself out.
But back to Susie.
Eventually, some other women showed up, clearly having had a few drinks themselves, and one of them called out, “Oh my God, there’s Susie!” They saw me standing there and asked if everything was okay. I asked which one of them was sober. One woman raised her hand and said she was the designated driver. I told her: when your friend wakes up, please let her know that a stranger stood watch over her for about an hour and that some men with questionable intentions had been turned away. I suggested they be more mindful about leaving someone in her condition alone, as it’s genuinely dangerous. One woman responded with a flippant comment that I didn’t appreciate. I told them there were enough of them present now to look after her, and since I was starting to feel the effects of the night myself, I took my leave.
As I walked away, I noticed Susie beginning to wake up. She caught a glimpse of me through the haze, confused and unaware of everything that had taken place. I shook my head and kept walking.
I’ve wondered since what became of her. I hope she found her footing and that she’s never again been in a situation where someone wasn’t around to step in. It’s genuinely concerning when someone becomes that vulnerable in a public setting.
As for those who seek to take advantage of others in moments like that, I believe there should be meaningful consequences to discourage such behavior. Protecting people from being harmed is something I take seriously, and I think most decent people would agree that repeat offenses of that nature should not go unaddressed.
Just a life long New Yorker sharing the journey through my lens.
You so much of this in the UK they call themselves “ladettes” *sigh*
Binge drinking is such an issue!! I am too much of a control freak to get in that state anyway lol
I hear that. I mean, I’ve gotten drunk, it happens. But you should know your limits, and if you are that vulnerable, you should never be alone.
that is hectic! I used to have my mum always telling me to be super careful and look out for my other girl friends whenever we went out clubbing.