It's no secret catcalling exists and it's a serious problem, more so in some geographic locations than others.
But a series of videos recorded by Whitney Mauldin, @sadgirlyhouroffical on TikTok, demonstrated just how persistent some perpetrators can be.
In the initial video, viewers simply saw Mauldin working her second shift job at a gas station in North Carolina, arguing with a male customer, and telling him to leave the premises.
The moment escalated with shouting, expletives and name-calling, and verbal threats.
You can watch the video here:
The video piqued the interest of TikTok, leaving them to wonder if there was more to the story and why the moment became so heated.
Mauldin explained in a second video that the man had entered the gas station after staring at her young coworker "who wasn't old enough to drink" for "at least 5 minutes."
Upon entering the store, the male customer approached Mauldin's young coworker and said:
"You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
The coworker attempted to be polite and brush it off, but the man persisted and asked her for her name, her age, and eventually, if she was single.
Mauldin attempted to step in by stating they were dating, but the man insinuated they were in an open relationship by asking if she would "share."
The man then turned his attention fully back to the coworker, moved closer to her, and made a sexually explicit remark, which led Mauldin to kick him out of the store.
He attempted to threaten her at first, which led to the argument in the first video and his eventual exit from the gas station.
You can watch the full video here:
TikTok was grateful for Mauldin stepping in and assisting her coworker.
@sadgirlyhouroffical/TikTok
@sadgirlyhouroffical/TikTok
@sadgirlyhouroffical/TikTok
@sadgirlyhouroffical/TikTok
@sadgirlyhouroffical/TikTok
@sadgirlyhouroffical/TikTok
@sadgirlyhouroffical/TikTok
@sadgirlyhouroffical/TikTok
@sadgirlyhouroffical/TikTok
@sadgirlyhouroffical/TikTok
After receiving some inquiries about what happened after the man left the store, and why Mauldin didn't call the police, she shared a third video.
You can watch the video here:
Mauldin explained in previous incidents, the police appeared annoyed and as if their time was being wasted by providing employees at the gas station safety assistance, so she was not confident they would have helped in the situation.
She explained she felt so unsafe after the incident, and other similar incidents, she wanted to transfer to another store to be in a safer location and to work the first shift instead of the second.
Mauldin was relieved by the difference the change in locations made:
"I transferred, and I love my store, and I love my customers."
"I get jacka**es in here sometimes, but that's way easier to handle, and the occasional f*cking 'Karens.'"
"The police officers here are so f*cking nice and sweet. I told them everything that's been going on [at the other location], and I feel so f*cking safe."
Other than wishing some of her new coworkers would consistently appear for their work shifts, she never wanted to transfer back to the other store.
@jessicachastain/Instagram
