Are you a magnet for strange people?
By Amy
@artemis432 (7474)
Abernathy, Texas
August 22, 2007 8:20pm CST
Not good strange - and there is a good strange - but creepazoids? Refugees from the planet Tactless? Maybe their space ship dropped them off for a pee and a snack and took off without them.
I have to admit that I've found the secret conversation starter that induces total strangers to spill their life's story at bus stops.
"Hi." You're welcome to steal this, try it out. It works great and I actually like hearing about people's lives.
The only problem, sometimes as the deluge is pouring out, you realize instead of yet another person to file away for future writing fodder, you've been lucky enough to snag a creep. They stand too close, always want to hold your hand. Since I don't have a license for a creepazoid ray gun, I have to use polite firmness.
Doesn't always work, but I can't be civilized and at the same time use the "Feel free to continue leaning close and hitting on me, I don't mind -- as long as you don't mind the imprint of my hand on your caved in skull. " This may set me back a few millenia on the evolutionary ladder.
One guy in Alaska kept insisting that my sci-fi book was a romance - because of course that's all girls read. He wanted to know what the guy was like -was that what I like? And details on intimate things. He said women read romance because they didn't have it life - he would provide it for me. It was valentines day so of course he worked that in.
Have you had these situations? How did you handle it?
3 people like this
7 responses
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
23 Aug 07
There was a guy in my homeroom that I think would qualify...and mind you I still remember this incident 12 years later. First off he had a habit of wearing sweatpants and cowboy boots together....along with a raincoat on some days.
The part of his "quirkiness" that involved me was when he presented me with a story he'd written. Now, I had never even spoken to him before this and his story certainly didn't make me want to talk to him. In it I was his princess that had been kidnapped and hidden in a tower. He was the brave knight who battled the evil forces to rescue me...he went into great detail and the whole story was four handwritten notebook pages long(front and back).
I can't say I "handled" it, I just avoided him even more...not that that was too hard to begin with, his other habit was to be too scared to ask for a lav. pass when he needed to go.
2 people like this
@theprogamer (10532)
• United States
23 Aug 07
Wow, thanks for sharing Foxy. I don't know how I woulda dealt with someone like that, almost sounds like an odd mix of Dallas, Misery and frankenstein of fairy tales. Weird, and weirder.
One thing the story did make me remember was that some of these people might have emotional problems, social problems. Others try this stuff in an attempt to make themselves "unique" albeit with odd, sometimes negative results.
2 people like this
@theprogamer (10532)
• United States
23 Aug 07
I sounds more like you don't have a strange people problem, you have an idiot problem Arti. That being said, yea I do run into people like you describe on occasion, the ones that are either blabbermouths, stereotype enforcers, or people who look/act like they were once in bedlam.
Sometimes I just ignore them. A few do this for attention and if you don't give them the satisfaction it robs them. Others need a better strategy. I'm also not above screwing with the minds of morons or crazies. Nothing cruel or sick, but I've sent stereotype morons, stereotypes and a couple of crazies packing. Just a quip or two here, or a minor mind play there is all. Heck, if they didn't want it maybe they should have messed with me.
As for you Arti, don't let them sweat you. You'll definitely encounter more morons like you described. Keep a firm standing, be confident in yourself and assert your defense if needed. Have a good night!
1 person likes this
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
23 Aug 07
Have I mentioned I love your responses, whether you agree or not? Very true its an idiot problem! You're right many do it for attention. I've tried delving into my book, doesn't work so well. I like the idea of screwing with their heads. I wouldn't mind doing that with those who sell religion door to door either. Mind play is good, and since I'm the cute, sweet, silly girl, they don't expect it and don't realize it. I try to do this mostly with people who think they're playing with my mind though!
Thank you for your warriour words at the end.
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
23 Aug 07
I meant whether you agree with my stance or not. Not whether you agree with the fact that I like your responses. Why are you only a five?
@theprogamer (10532)
• United States
23 Aug 07
Thanks for the support. I know I'll not agree 100% with anyone, I just want to post my opinion or take on the subject. And its great you know I'm doing it not out of malice, but I really want to share my experiences, opinions so people can learn and have a reference.
As for my rating, I'm betting I've got someone tailing my posts and they don't agree with me period. Its either that or someone just plain doesn't like how useful I am.
For your third comment you are welcome, and always welcome to the words of encouragement. I always want to try and encourage people asking for help or asking for opinions. I've really gotten in the habit of doing this because some of my posts can get very cynical. I might post the macabre but I always want the best for people Arti.
1 person likes this
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
23 Aug 07
Yes, I am a magnet for the strange, but I do not mind it. I am strange myself. I love science fiction, I love comic books/graphic novels, and I am a total geek. I cannot stand normal people, deep down, I have to be with people who are as strange as me. Now, if you are talking about guys that are hitting on you, I politely say that I cannot be with them because they are not my type. My type are bright and intelligent men.
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
24 Aug 07
As I said - I don't mind strange and most guys who hit on you can take a hint - I'm talking about creeps - as I relay in my discussion - the ones you know from talking to them that something is seriously wrong - and like I said I like wierd so I don't mean that. The ones who give you a bad vibe. My type are bright intelligent men who in general - are strange!
1 person likes this
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
24 Aug 07
Oh yeah, the men who are obsessive. I cannot stand those types of guys. They do freak me out. I have had a few of those.
@theprogamer (10532)
• United States
24 Aug 07
Sad part is, you describing yourself and the people you hang out with, I don't find either strange at all (perhaps I don't get it
1 person likes this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
23 Aug 07
Sweety.. can we talk? I sing in a rock band, I have platinum bleach blonde hair, I have DD boobs covered in tattoos, we play in bars and I'm surrounded by drunks every weekend... I attract creeps like rednecks to a family feud. Oh, I could tell you some stories.
How do I handle it? hmmm.. tact, grace, logic, a hefty right cross.. when that fails I sic my hubby on them. LOL!
@jungle_girl (138)
• Philippines
23 Aug 07
Yes, I am a magnet for both good and bad strange people. I don't know why.
I handle them either by one of two methods. Either I just ignore them and they lose interest in me, or I act as strange as them and indulge them so much, they look normal and I look strange. hehehee
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
23 Aug 07
Snort.
(I stole it, just like the tangent crown and benefits on a few discussions)
I love absolutely everything about this discussion!
Oh the hilarity! =D
Yes, yes I am one of the magnetic creatures to these unusual beings.
I'm also one to the good strange, of which I am pleased...
This kind... not so much pleased... more... uncomfortable?
I too enjoy hearing peoples' stories, I love a good discussion, however:
When I'm working (at the Tattoo Studio during the holidays), I approach a generally 'normal' looking customer, and apparently, to this dormant freak, the words
"Hi, do you need a hand at all?"
really mean "Hello friend, please be quirky and twitchy and touch me too much whilst blubbering nonsensical muck at me for half an hour".
It's amazing how many people come in to preach to me about how tattoos & piercings are disgusting and they would never get one - they're the kind that grab your arm firmly and don't listen to reason or polite requests that they leave your place of business.
Trying to wrack my brains for the best of stories has left me blank, but I can assure you that when I remember, or if mum relays one to me this afternoon, I'll be sure to post it to you somewhere irrelevant =D
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
23 Aug 07
Please do pass the stories on...I totally giggled at this. Snorted too - snort is written when something is over the top ridiculous or hilarious.
@AmbiePam (120637)
• United States
24 Aug 07
You are too funny. Yes, I do believe I attract people like that. Recently I mentioned in one of my discussions that I was in the doctor's waitng room, and a guy waiting along with me and 2 other people came over and asked me if I could stand up so he could see if I had a big booty. I swear no one else I know has these experiences. I think I'm a magnet. I just attract the opposite of what I want to.
