Pascale Buckingham
Dear Reader, today I want to talk to you about being nosy.
I don’t know about you, but I remember my parents giving me the advice often not to be nosy. Which I admit was a well-intentioned lesson in respecting others’ privacy. But guess what? Today (and yes, my parents would approve), I am asking you to embrace your nosiness for a critical reason: your safety.
Curiosity mostly has a negative sidenote due to all accessible information and misinformation; we’re flipping the script. We’re encouraging you to be nosy in the best and most positive way, to pay attention, and to stay aware—because being nosy can be a powerful tool in enhancing your personal safety.
Consider this scenario: you’ve just finished a walk or jog in the park, a place where vulnerability can be heightened. Be nosy when you head to the restroom after your exercise. Take a moment to glance around and be aware if someone is watching you enter. Once inside, be nosy and check the stalls—are they empty? Is no one hiding? This simple act of nosiness can ensure your safety and prevent potential risks. And let me tell you, I do it every time and every time, I feel a little bit silly and a little bit scared, but I do it because the alternative could be much worse.
Or now, picture walking through a dimly lit parking garage. Again! Be nosy! Do not be nosy
about what is going on with your telephone, but rather be nosy about what is happening around
you; take note of the people around you, check your surroundings, and trust your instincts.
Nosiness in this context is about being proactive and aware, not paranoid.
Shopping at the mall? Embrace your nosiness. Notice if someone seems to be consistently
close by, potentially following you. This isn’t about jumping to conclusions but being nosy
enough to recognize patterns and assess your surroundings. Your awareness can be your
greatest asset in navigating public spaces safely.
I am for sure not advocating for paranoia. Instead, I am urging you to be nosy enough to know
what’s happening around you. Don’t let your positivity and love for life get overshadowed by fear of having to look over your shoulder. It’s about being present and attuned to your environment. In our ReadyHer seminars, we teach women to trust their instincts and cultivate a healthy level of nosiness—a skill that can make a significant difference in personal safety.
So, the next time you find yourself hesitating to be nosy, remember that it’s not about satisfying
curiosity; it’s about empowering yourself. Whether you’re in a restroom, a parking garage, or a
shopping center, your nosiness can be a superpower. Embrace it, use it, and let it contribute to
your safety. After all, being nosy might just be the key to staying one step ahead.
Pascale Buckingham
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