A couple of days ago, I was at the Rocky Boot Outlet in Nelsonville. I was trying on some cowgirl boots and overhearing an unpleasant conversation between what appeared to be a husband and wife. The wife was also trying on cowgirl boots. We smiled at each other and politely moved out of the way of each other's reach. I complimented the boots she was trying on as her husband looked pissy about having to wait for her. He kept saying things like, "I don't mind paying $200 for a good pair of boots if you're actually going to wear them, but not for something that's just going to sit in the box," and "if you want them I'll buy them, because I am for damned sure not going to listen to you b--ch the whole way home about how I should have bought them." I grew increasingly tense sharing space with him as his comments got more and more aggressive. I think she saw me looking shocked and tense, because she started to seem embarrassed toward me. She kept acting very calm and pleasing toward him though. Eventually she said she didn't want them, and he said quite loudly, "That's an hour of my life I'll never get back, B---h!" I looked her square in the eyes with a look of shock and compassion for her. She looked very embarrassed and hurried away. I know a knowing glance is still considered bystander intervention, but I wish I could have done more. I hope she got the message that I had her back, and I hope she is able get away from him one day.
Happened on January 11, 2015
Incident reported by target
Bystander Action? Yes
Harassment Types: Sexual