In the concluding part of our series on women living on their own in the city, MiD DAY looks at how nightspots treat an unaccompanied woman
The waiters were very helpful in getting me seated and taking my order. There were two more women but they were with their friends. Other than occasional glances from the males present, I did not face any other problem.
A group of guys and girls came in later, and sat on the table on my right. I heard them telling one of their friends, who didn't have a female companion, to give me company, as I was alone.
Verdict: Safe
Place: Pub Apache, FC Road
Time: 10.30 pm
I walked in when it was almost closing time and took the stairs to the upper section. The waiters at first didn't want me to occupy the table I had chosen. But after I insisted, they agreed. They took my order for a cocktail and snacks.
I lit a cigarette. The waiters kept staring at me as I enjoyed my drink. They may have been wondering how a girl could be at a pub alone at that hour.
I got occasional curious glances from the guys at the table behind me. One of them even guided the waiter to me when I tried calling him to place another order.
The head waiter indicated at 11 pm that it was time to close. I finished and came down and met a foreigner, Bia from Germany. She said she did not find the city unsafe, and was unaware of crimes in the city. But she said that as some of her friends found the city unsafe, she always moved around with people she knew.
Verdict: Safe enough
Place: Comesum, Pune Railway Station
Time: 2.30 am
As I placed my order, I could almost hear the man at the counter and the waiters wondering how come I was alone at that place. I received occasional glances from the men around me. I noticed three men sitting on a bench outside the restaurant, leching over me. Later I even heard their loud voices indicating they were quite high. But as I walked out, they were gone and I heaved a sigh of relief.u00a0
Verdict: Not safe unaccompanied
