Disappointed with myself still thinking I need to be polite Went to the Goodwill outlet with my...

Yeah don’t be so polite when it comes to strangers asking personal questions. He might have been looking at your daughter thinking if there were no men around to protect her to snatch her. These people will strike up conversations with women or teens who are strangers to see if they have a good target for that. It’s a sick world we are living in.

val70 · 51-55

Yes, you're right. Personally, I don't dare to complain at times and I'm lesbian. If one looks at it with Darwinian eyes I'd say that every opportunity is grained in us not to complain but to accept. I'm more than sure that your daughter will be alright like you are now. But yes, some of us do have to experience some things to be much more aware of evil. Plenty of much more polite and dangerous weirdoes out there, I'm afraid

revenant · F

You were caught off guard and you probably did not want to make a scene either.

I have been in situations like that ,behaved like you did and hated me after but then you know how quickly things can turn right ?

Some people will very quickly turn around and make you the problem implying they were only helping, you are paranoid and so on.

MrEagle · 41-45, M

That’s certainly a scary situation. It’s unfortunate that it happened, and maybe you missed the opportunity in the moment to set that example for your daughter. But I’d say you could use that still as a learning point especially since it’s an example of what could happen.
But being polite is never an issue. It’s the a-holes and pervs that do stuff like this that are the issue. Sorry you and your daughter had to go through that.

Freeranger · M

I think it's fine to be polite with any [i]initial[/i] contact. What's important is the ability to read people. I carry concealed.....having been shot in a robbery attempt eons ago, it was a wake up. At the least, be polite, but be aware is all. I would encourage you to carry repellent with a strong spray stream.
I could go on with the other bits about situational awareness for women, but it would defeat your post I think.

SomeMichGuy · M

Don't best yourself up for starting with a taking care of the "sojourner in your midst"/being caring of your "neighbor".

Start by being open.

But *do* be willing to say sthg like:

"You know, I was trying to give you the benefit of the doubt. But now I see you are simply a creep. You need to back off and leave me/us alone, or we'll get others involved, including law enforcement, if necessary. It's your move; what's it goimg to be?"

Nelisme · 22-25, F

You’re a nice person. The old man was undoubtedly lonely and looking for someone to share some time with. Sure, it might have been bed time, but you don’t know that. Don’t angry with yourself cause you weren’t mean. Give him the benefit of the doubt and move on. No harm done.

ElRengo · 70-79, M

"I missed a good chance for my 13 year old daughter to see a valuable lesson on how to protect her personal safety. It would have stayed with her and helped her in the future"

IMO this!

TexChik · F

You did nothing wrong . He was a predator and stalking you in the store. Standing your ground and confronting a stalker is never wrong .

ShiftingGears · 46-50, M

sciguy18 · M

Nothing wrong with being polite. Once you realize there is creepy behavior involved though...

SW-User

That guy sounded like a creep.