I really don't have a problem talking with men who I don't know, when I'm in the bakery or the supermarket or outdoor concert. I do have to be more concerned about my surroundings when I'm out alone, walking somewhere. I'm small, not strong and I have no weapons.
Every woman should carry pepper spray.
"What is pepper spray? What does it do?
A 1-second blast of pepper spray will render an individual incapacitated for 15 minutes to over an hour. Pepper spray is an inflammatory agent it will IMMEDIATELY: induce coughing, choking, nausea, it will dilates the capillaries of the eyes causing temporary blindness, the mucous membranes will swell to the point of cutting off all but life support breathing, causes intense burning and an assailant to be temporarily incapacitated."
-pepperspraystore.com