the reason a woman I knew carried a brick in her handbag

is just a hello. If a persons age and looks matter, you may be guilty of pre-judging other humans.

Can be down right creepy and scary. Your name is interesting, "safe in Ohio". Not everyone feels safe where they live. She lives in New York City. Not all hello's there are friendly ones. Some are even an invitation for trouble.

On the other hand, most are. My problem with the clip is that only those from young and attractive males are to be trusted and welcomed. I say hello to everyone, young, old, whatever. I see some young females take offense to my hellos and others don't, even though my hellos are just that and never a hello-o-o.

My being safe in Ohio ls a long story, but it has to do with an ex-wife that is a cop.

I have found that people are the safest on the street when they show confidence and courage and don't appear to be afraid of anyone. Those that look away can be showing fear and to a predator that means victim. Hold your head high, look people in the eye and hello back, no need to smile, just be polite. About half of the creeps and rapist in the world are young and attractive.

The old and creepy comment came only after the a second piece of harassment was itemised - "aren't you going to say hello to me?"

being complimented by young and attractive males. They were on their way some where, and THIS IS NYC.. and she ignored the hello's because she never felt obligated to return someones hello, because yes, its a scary place to live in these days. Maybe out in the rural areas people are more friendly but in major cities, this is never a wise idea. I live in San Francisco. No one says hello, unless they are trying to drag you into their shop to sell you something. I avoid that confrontation. Its better to not invite confrontation than to open yourself up to it.

I have found that people are the safest on the street when they show confidence and courage and don't appear to be afraid of anyone.

Please learn to listen ...

I listen well.

But, hey, if you feel happy about older, unkempt men making passes at you then I'll not stop them.

is that making a pass at you?

I've had older unkept men make passes at me, no problem and I'm a straight male. It is not the "hello" that should matter, only what is said after that. Many rapist and violent men are young and handsome and don't have crumbs in the corners of their mouths.

about 8 years back when I was 54 I had to read a utility meter of a much older (80+) woman who smiled and said hello, and yes it was a pass - as was proved when she groped me as I bent over to do my job.

Bad choice of parallel ...

I still love the odd looking folks I have made friends with that have improved my life experience.

is delivered with tone and body language that clearly indicates the deliverer intends their "approach" to convey a sexualized interpretation of you, which is why many of us -- of any sexual orientation, both women and men -- do not respond to such offensive "hellos."

I'm pretty confident you know the difference between a friendly hello and the "hello-o-o-o" described by the woman in this video. Furthermore, I think the majority of women don't "respond well" to the sexist and misogynistic "hello-o-o-o-o" and other catcalls to which we're subjected on a daily basis.

(We also don't appreciate having our concerns minimized, belittled or dismissed...)

I'm not surprised. The trolls who monitor this place would not at all agree with her.

I'm tired of people who excuse this as just being nice. No, we all know the difference between a nice hello and a command hello, thank you.

we women do not know who really is a "nice guy" and who is a killer or a stalker or a rapist.

That and no one has to answer back. They're free to do that.