There is this line in the Bitch's post: "But most "advice" to women focuses on avoiding *situations*, rather than trusting yourself and avoiding *people* who make you feel uneasy. I think that's exactly backwards."

I completely agree with this. I have walked alone at night, often, and felt perfectly safe because I was alone or the people around were people I could deal with. I have also completely avoided certain streets in broad daylight because the people there made me feel uncomfortable.

So far I've been fortunate in that I've never been stalked. I was harassed a lot in school, and I got very good at feeling it coming and getting away. I try very hard not to react to people based solely on how they look (ie by race or piercings or tatoos or ratty clothes), but when I'm alone I do pay attention to people and the 'vibe' they give off, and get the hell out of Dodge as quickly as possible if they make me uncomfortable. Even if they are in a business suit.