How do you protect yourself?

[Queen K]

Okay, we've seen our society devolve into a crisis today with both men and women having their careers in tatters, their names smeared and their aspirations destroyed.

Sexual allegations are hitting the news everywhere and from every angle. From both sides. We have #metoo and #mentoo

So in today's heightened climate of sensitivity and destruction, how do you protect yourselves? Are you more aware? Do you find yourself not being alone with the opposite sex quite so much?

I had an eye exam yesterday.
The part where touching the back of my head and adjusting my eyes to the lens is out in the complete open.
The man conducting the exam asked if can adjust my head to the specifications of the lens before he did so.
The next part of the exam is in a room with a door but it has a huge glass window and was never closed.
I never noticed these details before but I did this time and all if it makes complete sense.
For the protection of everybody.

[kgcayenne]

"Do you mind if I record this conversation; I want to make sure I've not missed anything."

[TreeGuy]

Mrs. Tree and I have always had an agreement that neither of us will spend time alone with a member of the opposite sex. When we have told other couples about this and some have rolled their eyes at us. People think nothing will ever happen. We see time and time again that it only takes one slip, one bad decision and your life is ruined.

There are professional situations where we may not be able to avoid this situation, in that case be very guarded.

[kgcayenne]

That makes total sense. I won't even have the opposite sex on my FB friends list unless they are a relative; there's no reason for it.

[Queen K]

I have lots of people on my facebook, both from all walks of life, met and unmet. Men, married and unmarried. I've never had an issue with anyone. But I get what you are saying Kccayenne, if I ever have to follow suit, I will.

ETA: I'm not presently adding new friends on my list. I just turned down someone else's boyfriend.

[vegas1500]

That makes total sense. I won't even have the opposite sex on my FB friends list unless they are a relative; there's no reason for it.

Seems a little over the top....you have no opposite sex good friends?

[seewood]

Don't pick up hitch hikers.
Don't be a land lord.
Very careful hiring opposite sex. never alone with them.

I understand an unsubstantiated claim regarding harassment or sexual abuse, the accuser is supposedly the one punished but by then your name has been dragged through the mud...

can't wait to retire...

[JLives]

That makes total sense. I won't even have the opposite sex on my FB friends list unless they are a relative; there's no reason for it.

That would never work for me. I have lots of male friends, always have. We go for dinner and drinks together and it's never been an issue.

[kgcayenne]

That makes total sense. I won't even have the opposite sex on my FB friends list unless they are a relative; there's no reason for it.

Seems a little over the top....you have no opposite sex good friends?

Edited to remove the other information that was really not necessary...

My actual response: Geeeeezzzzz... it's just Facebook

[Silverstarqueen]

I don't restrict people on my FB page based on gendre, it's more how long have I known them, communicated with them, even if I have not met them. Probably more females and than males just because of the type of interests I have. There are some pretty sketchy females out there too, so I don't see the caution applying just to one gendre or the other. It's sort of the same situation in personal meet ups, there's male and female but it generally has to be someone I know thru some one else or some activity, not just random strangers. I guess that could be a lot trickier if you were new to a town, because pretty much everyone you meet is going to be a stranger.

[GordonH]

Thing is about online social media sites, if you never have an actual face to face. Then all you can go on is what the person posts, that impo is not really getting to know someone.

[alanjh595]

I have closed my account and will never return to FB. THAT is how I protect myself.

[Silverstarqueen]

Thing is about online social media sites, if you never have an actual face to face. Then all you can go on is what the person posts, that impo is not really getting to know someone.

You don't really know anyone until you are married to them (even that might be debatable). So there has to be some measure of in-between there, to get to know them. I think everyone I have as a friend on FB I have known thru someone else, or have shared ideas, experiences for years. You don't know most of the people you meet face to face, day to day, that well.

[Queen K]

I actually meant in real live situations, work and recreation, not to focus on social media so much.

[Triple 6]

I actually meant in real live situations, work and recreation, not to focus on social media so much.

The OP has asked that we keep it to live situations. Let's do that!