Recognize creeps and catcalling, shut it down, and ask for help fast in Spain.
Short answerIn Spain, say Déjame en paz. — Leave me alone.
Creeps & catcalling — what it sounds like & how to shut it down (Spain)
Q ¡Guapa! ¿Adónde vas tan sola? Anda, dame una sonrisa. — Hey gorgeous! Where you off to all alone? Come on, give us a smile.
A Déjame en paz. — Leave me alone.
A No me interesa. Para ya. — Not interested. Stop it.
A Que me dejes, pesado. — Just leave me alone, creep.
They'll say Uy, qué borde. — Ooh, charming.
In Spain these street comments are called 'piropos' — you owe zero reply. Keep walking and step into the nearest shop or bar. Emergencies: 112. Spain's free gender-violence helpline is 016 — it never shows up on your phone bill.
Q Qué buena estás, morena. Venga, tómate algo conmigo, no seas así. — Damn, you're hot. Come on, have a drink with me, don't be like that. (he starts following you)
A ¡Que no! Déjame. — No! Leave me.
A Vete a la mierda. — Piss off. (aggressive)
A ¡Que te den, gilipollas! ¡Pírate! — Screw you, asshole! Get lost! (very aggressive — Spain)
They'll say Encima con humos. — Stuck-up, too.
If he won't back off or starts following, get loud to pull attention and move toward people or staff. In many Spanish clubs and festivals you can 'preguntar por Ángela' at the bar — a discreet code that tells staff you need help.
Q No me toques. — Don't touch me.
Say it loud and clear. Louder still: '¡Que no me toques!'
Q ¡Quítame las manos de encima! — Get your hands off me!
'Quitar las manos de encima' is the natural Spain phrasing for someone grabbing you.
Q ¡Suéltame! — Let go of me!
For when someone is holding your arm or wrist.
Q Para. Esto no me gusta. No sigas, por favor. — Stop. I don't like this. Don't keep going, please.
A clear, firm 'no' — no need to be polite about it if you don't feel safe.
Q Solo quiero hablar contigo. — I only want to talk to you.women
A Pues yo no. Déjame. — Well, I don't. Leave me alone.
They'll say Qué borde. — Charming.
Q Estoy con mi novio. — I'm here with my boyfriend.women
A Ya, claro. — Sure you are.
It shouldn't work better than no. It often does. Use whatever ends it fastest.
Getting away & telling someone (Spain)
Q ¿Me acompañas hasta el taxi, por favor? No me siento segura. — Can you walk me to the taxi, please? I don't feel safe.
They'll say Claro, te acompaño. No te preocupes. — Of course, I'll walk with you. Don't worry.
Ask staff, a couple, or a group of women — not a lone stranger. 'Acompañar' = to go with / walk with someone.
Q ¿Puedes acompañarme a casa? Ese tío me está siguiendo. — Can you walk me home? That guy is following me.
They'll say Vale, vamos. ¿Quieres que llame a alguien? — Okay, let's go. Want me to call someone?
'Tío' = guy (Spain). If you're being followed, head somewhere busy and with staff rather than home directly.
Q Perdona, creo que me han echado algo en la copa. ¿Me ayudas? — Excuse me, I think someone spiked my drink. Can you help me?
They'll say Vale, siéntate aquí. Llamo a seguridad y a un médico. — Okay, sit here. I'll call security and a doctor.
Tell the bar staff, not just your friends. Spiking is 'sumisión química' in Spain; needle-spiking ('pinchazo') has also been reported. Keep the drink as evidence and get to 112 / a medic.
Q ¿Puedes llamar a la policía, por favor? — Can you call the police, please?
They'll say Ahora mismo llamo al 112. — I'll call 112 right now.
112 reaches police, ambulance and fire, free from any phone.
Q Ese hombre de ahí nos está acosando. — That man over there is harassing us.
They'll say Venid conmigo, os llevo con seguridad. — Come with me, I'll take you to security.
'Acosar' = to harass. Say it to staff or security ('los de seguridad').
Q Perdona, ese tío de ahí me está agobiando y me incomoda. — Excuse me, that guy over there is crowding me and making me uncomfortable.
They'll say Quédate aquí, yo me encargo. — Stay here, I'll handle it.
'Agobiar' = to crowd/overwhelm; 'incomodar' = to make uncomfortable. Natural, non-dramatic way to flag a creep to staff.
Q ¿Te puedes quedar conmigo? — Can you stay with me?women
A No me muevo de aquí. — I'm not moving from here.
Q Te escribo cuando llegue a casa. — I'll text you when I get home.women