A weird thing happened the other day..? Thoughts?
By ilyzium
@ilyzium (1197)
Canada
September 9, 2009 1:22pm CST
I just want to mention something that I find rather odd that happened the other day. Maybe I'm overreacting maybe not? Just wanted to get some feedback on this. OK, well I was hiking/power walking in my neighborhood park, which is a huge monster sized park with an extensive forested area. People frequently say hi as they pass you, so I'll say it back. There was one man that said hi to me several times throughout the hour so I didn't think anything of it. After awhile I ran into him again as I was hiking up the hilly part. He stopped me to compliment me on my looks, introduced himself, and asked for my name, shook my hand holding longer than necessary, next the strange man actually kissed it a few times and didn't want to let go. I was kind of looking at him like...OK? Next he asks me if I want to go walking with him and is pointing towards this secluded area in the park that's completely forested and quite dark. It looks black from a distance, that's how dark it is. I said no thanks I'm married (which I am) I have to go. He then replied how about just a quick walk which I replied again, I'm married. Next he asks me out for coffee, and I said I'm late to go somewhere and have to go. I took off pretty quickly to my car and noticed that he was still watching me from a distance. I just found that encounter somehow unsettling. Would you say this man was harmless or not? A couple of people said I should have maybe reported him to the police, because women have been molested in that park before. Also he was old enough to be my father! Yuck! :(
1 person likes this
4 responses
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
9 Sep 09
Yes, I find that to be really strange. Was he close enough to get the license plate numbers from your car? I would have reported him to the police. I would have gotten in my car and called immediately with a description of the guy. Just never know but this could have been the old guy who was molesting women in the park. Don't want to scare you. Can't be too safe.
@ilyzium (1197)
• Canada
9 Sep 09
Carolbee hello,
I just got off the phone from the police and had everything documented which is good. Yes I should have done that then, but only had an uneasy feeling afterwards when I was thinking about it. No, fortunately he was far away from my car, not even near the parking lot. This is a HUGE park btw and mostly forested, tall grasses, tall trees, and we were on this hill part away from people. I can understand if a guy is trying to "pick up" a female in the usual way, but this does not feel usual. The old codger was old enough to be my father, creepy. I suppose being that I'm a very tall female and fairly strong, I usually assume that I can take care of myself and can overtake most men. He was also shorter than me and an average build, but then again men tend to be naturally stronger anyway. He could have been someone that was molesting women in my park, because that has happened there and I think once even a murder too. Thank you for your feedback!
@macdingolinger (10385)
• United States
9 Sep 09
I might have reported him. I would never use the term "harmless" for someone who first doesn't back off at you saying you are married and secondly keeps coming at you even though you don't want to go with him. He was more likely trying to coax you away. I don't even like the fact that he held on to your hand for so long and kissed it so many times. Those are all red alert flags!! Besides the fact that he was a total stranger!!
@ilyzium (1197)
• Canada
9 Sep 09
Hi macdingolinger,
Well you'll be happy to know that I just called the police and reported him. They documented everything on file and told me that they're glad that I reported it because it sounded very fishy. Also, if I ever see him again to call them immediately, and they'll come down and ask for his ID just to check him out. Of course by the time they'd get there he'd probably take off! He's a runner....Well, you know I was just watching his face and what he was going to go, and I was completely when he first held onto my hand, then next kissed it 3x and held it at his lips? Gross, a complete stranger...Thank you for your advice.:)
@horsesrule (1957)
• United States
9 Sep 09
It does sound suspicious like he may have had bad plans. But since he didn't actually do anything, there is nothing you could have reported him to the police about. I know, that's not fair, cuz he probably was going to do bad things but until he does them, the police can't help. Be careful
@ilyzium (1197)
• Canada
9 Sep 09
Hey horserule,
Hey how are you doing? Yes it does sound suspicious doesn't it? Well, I know my husband thinks I should stop walking in that park for a little while...Would you personally stop walking? or continue but really be on your guard? I just really enjoyed my walks there. Also I have to mention that it is quite deserted there, not a lot of people walk there, just a few. They do also say that if someone is going to molest/abduct you that they'll often go for women wearing ponytails (which I have) or long hair because it's easier to grab a hold of. Also that park is quite immense, not as big as a Central Park but big, and mostly forested with narrow winding trails, and huge trees. Well, if I do walk there I'll be sure to keep my cell phone with me. Thanks!
@cream97 (29085)
• United States
25 Mar 11
Hi. ilyzium. Yes, he sounded like he was up to something! Seriously!
I wonder why would he want to go walking with you in an area that looked completely dark? That would arouse my suspicions too. I would not say that he was harmless. I think that he was harmful. Any man that starts to kiss you without knowing you is just up to no good. He sounds like a stalker that preys on innocent women, I am glad that you were not the next victim to be preyed upon. I think that should have reported him to the police. I also would have mentioned this to the park officials too. In our town, the police or the park officials constantly stay cruising around. They do this to check on many tourists and to make sure that people are doing what they are supposed to be doing. I am glad that you were okay. I can see how frightened you was.
If this had to happen to me, he would have gotten just an hello and a smile out of me. I would have been done walked off before he ever had a chance to kiss my hands.
I wonder why would he want to go walking with you in an area that looked completely dark? That would arouse my suspicions too. I would not say that he was harmless. I think that he was harmful. Any man that starts to kiss you without knowing you is just up to no good. He sounds like a stalker that preys on innocent women, I am glad that you were not the next victim to be preyed upon. I think that should have reported him to the police. I also would have mentioned this to the park officials too. In our town, the police or the park officials constantly stay cruising around. They do this to check on many tourists and to make sure that people are doing what they are supposed to be doing. I am glad that you were okay. I can see how frightened you was. If this had to happen to me, he would have gotten just an hello and a smile out of me. I would have been done walked off before he ever had a chance to kiss my hands.