MEXICO CITY - Groping and verbal harassment is an exasperating reality for women using public transportation in this sprawling capital, where 22 million passengers cram onto subways and buses each day. Some men treat women so badly that the subway system has long had ladies-only cars during rush hour, with police segregating the sexes on the platforms.

But that hasn't helped women forced to rely on packed buses, by far the city's most-used form of public transportation — until this week.

Acting on complaints from women's groups, the city rolled out "ladies only" buses, complete with pink signs in the windshields to wave off the men.

As word spreads about the buses, the women seem delighted, while some men forced to wait a few minutes longer have shown their anger. Still others have stumbled on board despite the signs, much to their embarrassment.

Mexico City rolls out women-only buses

I am pretty sure that sexual harassment in public places must also be a problem in Turkey...

Well Ive never been 'touched' or anything, but I'll never get used to the looks, the whispers. Ive even been asked what I charge!! Well some things can never be bought with money (for all the rest, mastercard )

Unfortunatley, I was a victim of groping on a bus here. The guy stood behind me very close and well say no more.... you can guess the rest. It was horrid and in no way was I too blame - I know that. It also happened to another friend of mine here who was physically touched up in front of her children. Disgusting.

The problem I have is this, I am against physical violence and I know that if I call out on the bus "Defol Git - beni dokunma" the man may possibly get beaten up by other guys on the bus. I wouldn't wish to encourage violence against anyone, at the same time I do not wish to be violated - what does one do ??? It is horrible and difficult.

I think it happens fairly often here.

I go to Mexico a few times a year and I have to say...the men there are very very aggressive. I don't really know what it is like to live there, but if it is anything like the tourist shops, these poor ladies must have a really hard time. I don't have any trouble if I am with my husband, but when I have gone out on my own a few times, it was markedly more difficult. I have been stared at in Turkey, but I don't remember ever being touched. One of the worst experiences I ever had was in Paris. A man actually followed me into the public restroom (Ladies Room)! I was terrified. I thankfully had a small can of hairspray in my purse and came out of the stall screaming like a maniac and sprayed the hairspray in his face. (I just hope he wasn't innocently waiting to use the bathroom!! hehehehe)

Yes, you are absolutely right, it happens everywhere to tourists...but to have it happen regularly in a place where you live....that's a bit much.

Yes, it definitely happens everywhere. I lived in Central America Guatemala and El Salvador for a year, and funnily enough I never experienced anything bad ! But I have in Turkey and in the UK. But it does happen everywhere to so many women. Sigh !!!!

Such a shame

I have travelled pretty extensively worldwide (to both resorts and cities) and I have to say that absolutely NOTHING compares to the feeling I had when I walked out of the airport at Bodrum in Turkey. Despite all the stereotypical teasing from friends before I went "ouh they will like you in Turkey because you are blonde" blah blah, I was pretty shocked at the behaviour of the men - which ranged from bare-faced staring, to calling out, to actual harassment - especially as I was walking with my boyfriend at the time. Stepping outside of that airport, felt something like walking onto a stage or cattle market, where the "audience" were gathered to check out the new "meat". It was even worse in the town centres and market places.

I agree that French are a bit persistent, but they never behave this way, or would make such comments if you were clearly with another man.

I have been to places where I felt uneasy, or even sometimes scared (remote places in China, Colombia and Kenya spring to mind), but never have I felt so blatently... "demeaned" is the word, as I did in that resort in Turkey

I have since learned to not be polite, smile, or be nice in anyway in such a place!!!!

I must have lead a very sheltered life or I am no ones type

This reminds me of something that happened about a year ago in the airport in Antalya.

My flight was at about 4 or 5 in the morning but I had to wait there since late afternoon so I spent about 12 hours there. At some point I went to sleep on one of the benches there and this security guy came to wake me up. I thought I wasn't allowed to sleep there or something, I mean he was in uniform and demands some kind of respect. But actually he just wanted to talk to me and asked if I wanted to come to his home to sleep, then he would bring me back to the airport in the morning. When I declined and said I am married it only encouraged the bastard to try to get my phone number and give me his.
My turkish was limited and it was really hard to get rid of him and I ended up hiding from the creep until I could check in. Even though it was a public place I felt like he was trying to rape me right then and there. I never really had the same look on security guys after that time. it was very uncomfortable. :-S

Wasnt there any sort of place you could report this? They are there to make you feel safe and anlasilan did exactly the opposite!!

That must have been a horrible experience!!

Just a couple of hours prior to this happening I had said goodbye to my husband for 8 months, he was going to Tunceli at that time and I was emotionally drained. I didn't know what to do and just thought of getting home as quickly as possible. Otherwise I would definitely have done something about it. Looking back in the mirror I wish that I had.

I have no idea what it looks like in Mexico, but in Turkey men find it obvious that they should approach a woman in the street and invite her for tea/coffee hoping for more. None of my Turkish girlfriends ever told me of similar adventures so I assume such 'hospitality' is aimed mainly at tourists. Especially when they are blonde. I remember a guy who stuck to me in Ankara as I was heading to my hotel. That guy was pitifully short (I'm quite tall) and wouldn't leave me even after I told him a made-up story of my dear husband waiting for me in the hotel with our 3 kids! Also, on several other occasions men would come up to me in the street but they were quite easy to get rid of. If they were too pushy I'd simply shout at them. I suppose they have a problem with aggressive women

Oh, once a guy took my friend and me for prostitutes. If only you could see how he was running away after a few curses I shouted at him in my broken Turkish and crude Polish accent.

Then, again, there are jerks all around the world. Be it Poland, Turkey or China, there'll always be a guy thinking you live merely to sleep with him...

Perhaps it's a matter of social acceptance. Those usually older guys were most probably raised in a way that they think women, especially foreigners, like that kind of aggressive sexual appeal.Is it revolting? Sure, but apparently they think otherwise.

All the stories remind me of walking around Istanbul everyday. Men have attempted to touch me, ask me how much...blah blah blah...I am not blond!

I know for a fact that they wouldn't try this type of stuff with a Turkish woman.

I am a lover of peace but if a man touches me in Turkey... he gets me to move a bit closer and standing nose to nose to them...looking right in their eye...i tell them in my calmest you wanna piece of me buddy voice and the sweetest smile i can muster up.."Go ahead try that again sweetie!"

For some reason none of them do!

Not recommended for the faint of heart or short women either. It's lovely to see the look of shock and fear in their eyes when i let them know that i am NOT their 'victim' today!!!!!

Some of my male friends say i could get into big trouble that way. But i haven't to date. Like i said not recommended for the faint!

Hey I'm nee and I'm mexican that's why I was surprised when I read this I just wanted to say that at least in the city I live I have never ever been harassed and noone ever disrepect me I live a normal life and never have I met any agressive man, ofcourse as in anywhere there is agressive people as in every country anyway if anyone feel curious about Mexico you can ask me

I have been throughout Mexico at least 8 times now and what I have found is the men are a little more forward. However, I didn't feel harrassed or threatened what so ever. In fact, they seemed more personable than most American men..hahaha

On the otherhand..I do have a friend here in the states that complains all the time that in her neighborhood, alot of Mexicans live and they are always staring at her and yelling things out their windows. It makes her feel very uncomfortable...Maybe they think their still in Mexico..



While were talking about Mexican men, I do have a comment/question. There is a perception about Mexican men at least were I live. The perception is they treat their wifes and girlfriends with little respect. I wonder where this perception stems from. Any insight?

Alameda, you seem to have all the answers, can you please explain to me why is 95% of the world totally fucked up?