Is This a Daily Problem Most Women Encounter in Great Falls?

Let's start this off by stating the obvious: none of us are perfect. There's no instruction manual on life that we're given to help us navigate the world as we experience it.

That said, there's no excuse for feeling entitled to someone else's attention, personal space, or time. Recently, a Great Falls woman voiced frustrations that are seemingly shared by women not just across the state of Montana, but the country.

Great Falls Woman Shares Experience That's TOO Common... and NOT Okay

As I was scrolling through Facebook, the algorithm "recommended" I watch a video from a young woman named Jeanna here in Great Falls who I didn't follow. But as I started listening to her story, I heard a message that I feel would benefit all of us.

In this video, Jeanna shares a personal experience that many women might find all too familiar:

So, I used to work for a transportation company, and I would go to this passenger's house and I would pick up this guy's son. And every time I would go up to pick up his son, he would come out and look at me and he made me feel super duper uncomfortable.

Fast-forward to now, Jeanna shared she started running into this person while doing deliveries for DoorDash and Spark.

...Sometimes I would see him at McDonald's and he would always make a point to contact me. I would not even acknowledge him, I would put my eyes down at my phone, I did my best to ignore him and he would still make a point to make contact with me and I'm like you'd think that'd be enough, but it wasn't.

In a recent visit to McDonald's, Jeanna says she ran into this person again.

This last time, I was at McDonald's and he came up to me and he knows that I no longer work for the transit and he asked me where I worked and I said I don't want to tell you where I work. And then, about 30 seconds later, he just walks up to me and he goes, 'Well, whenever I see you, I'm going to come and say hello.' I just didn't say anything. So, he leaves, I'm still waiting for my food for DoorDash and I turn to the lady next to me and said, 'He makes me feel super uncomfortable' and she agreed.

Unfortunately for Jeanna, this isn't the last she sees of the man. But don't worry, there's a positive lesson at the end of it all.

Jeanna Gets a New Job... And He Follows Her There

At this point in the video, Jeanna shares that she's now working at a bakery downtown when she sees the man enter the place of her new job.

So, I am working at a bakery downtown and I see him come in. And I'm in the sandwich bar, I'm making sandwiches, my coworker helps him, my head is down, and I am making these sandwiches. He's about to walk out the door and he leans over the counter, and he makes contact with me, and he goes, 'I will be back for my hot cross buns', and he walks out of the store.

Absolutely disgusting. What gives anyone the right to talk like that to anyone? Can any of my fellow dads relate? How would you feel if someone talked to your daughter that way after she made it clear she was uncomfortable with this person?

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The only silver-lining here is Jeanna shares in the video and with us that she doesn't believe the man is dangerous... just a creep.

I told my coworkers this guy, on several occasions, has made me super uncomfortable. I even told my boss hey this guy makes me feel super uncomfortable. Like, I don't believe this guy is dangerous or anything but this guy has a wife and he's married.

Now, Jeanna is left asking the question so many women in this situation are commonly left asking: "How do you make this guy stop talking to you?"

Jeanna's Message on Behalf of Great Falls Women: "Awareness Matters."

Now, once I saw this video I reached out to Jeanna to ask her if I could share her story. When she agreed, I asked her if she would be willing to share what other similar situations women could be experiencing and she happily obliged.

It's my hope that sharing her message and story will resonate with at least one person who might reconsider how they approach someone they're interested in - male or female.

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"I worked drive-thru for 10 years, and when you’re outgoing, smiling, and kind, some people take that as an invitation to cross personal boundaries," Jeanna shared with me, "What feels like basic customer service to me can feel like personal interest to them."

Unfortunately, Jeanna says her kindness can be misinterpreted at the workplace which can create for an unavoidable awkward situation.

"I had a recurring interaction with a man while doing transport work who made me uncomfortable - staring, making comments, trying to get me to engage," Jeanna shared, "I stayed neutral, avoided eye contact, and did my job quickly and safely."

"When he later approached me in a public place and kept pushing conversation—even after I said I didn’t want to talk or share personal information- it became clear how important it is to set firm boundaries."

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And no matter who you are, you can't take that personal.

"Most women are not trying to be rude - we’re trying to feel safe," Jeanna says.

"Also, awareness matters. If you see a woman clearly uncomfortable in a situation, stepping in or even just staying nearby can make a difference."

So, guys/girls - pay attention to the signs. If someone is avoiding eye contact, doesn't respond, etc.... just leave them alone, take a hint. I know for a fact we're all better than this and we all know this, but these things still happen and it's important we acknowledge them so we can be better going forward.

We also want to set a good example for our youth in public, right?

If you have any similar experiences or want to share a solution, you can send that HERE an remain anonymous if you'd like. You can check out Jeanna's complete video below.