stay away, sometimes.

deep voice: hey, how are you? you're beautiful. (or whatever random shit they say that could make you look at them and/or answer) 

being polite, i usually smile and say thank you briefly and move on. mind you, they are just passerby whom you only had a sideway glance at. getting a smile or a nod, they would proceed to walking beside you and continue talking. it is not a big deal speaking to strangers, but in these cases i should have just minded my own business and do my best to ignore. i remember family member telling me to not look at men on the streets whenever I'm walking alone. it wasn't long before i truly understood why. harassment is a big issue, especially in metropolitans where there are too many lonely people, despite the number per capita. i was shocked at how bluntly men just express their interest in hooking up just for the sake of having any companion at all at any time of day!  

it wasn't disrespect at all, even the ignorance that i give to people talking to me sometimes - it is necessary to ignore. ignorance gives you the opportunity to be left alone safely. that same ignorance can save you time to lose the person who has not so pretty intentions on you. and yes, i had to be dumb before i took the advice to heed.