It was a little . . . disturbing

@GardenGerty (166931)
United States
December 27, 2025 6:49pm CST
So, when we got up and around today Bob and I were going to do a little bit of a different kind of shopping. I stumbled across a synopsis of a book that I know he would like. The only problem is that it is out of print. I tried all of my usual sources, and I can get it on Kindle, but he does not want to read that way. I tried my usual sources for used books, to no avail. The Newton Public Library tried to get it, and it is not available in Kansas. They suggested thrift shops. We went to a Used Book Store first, as it is going out of business and we would want to patronize them. Then we went to the Newton Et Cetera Shop. This is a chain of stores run by a particular church and there are many of them across the country. No luck either of those places, but Bob found a couple of things he did want. We were walking through the store and I was going to do some more shopping when this 30 something young man wearing a KU sweat shirt came up and struck up a conversation. He asked if it would be too weird to ask why we came to Kansas, and if we had lived there all of our lives, and so on. We made conversation, but he had a hard time letting go of the discussion. He told us where he was born, where he grew up and how he had come to a small private college here. Showed us his AAA card and introduced himself, laughing because his last name was Smith. We talked about how nice Newton is and then he asked us if we have ever heard of Florence, Ks. We did tell him that is where we live. He says he owns a house in Florence that he got for cheap. He described the location, but did not know the street. He did not know the landmark for where we live. He never gets to visit his house in Florence and would like to go back sometime. We finally broke away from the conversation. Bob went to the car. I continued to shop. We did not see Jim Smith leave. My conclusion: This young man is either a very high functioning person with disabilities, or autism, or he is a mental health client in Newton. There is a large treatment facility there.Lots of outpatient. Group homes, etc. He was harmless, enjoying himself, and it was a very strange coincidence that he knew anything about Florence. Still it was a little disturbing.
10 people like this
10 responses
@DaddyEvil (164247)
• United States
12h
I would have found that odd, too. You may very well be correct with one of your conclusions. I'm glad he didn't recognize the landmark for where you live.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (166931)
• United States
9h
He did not even know the street that he owns a house on, so that tells me he has some knowledge gaps. From what he told me, I could probably find his house, and it probably is somewhat derelict based on where he told me it is.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (164247)
• United States
9h
@GardenGerty He did say he got it cheap.
@AmbiePam (108824)
• United States
12h
Oh, Heather, that IS disturbing. I don’t feel good about that at all.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (166931)
• United States
10h
I mostly felt annoyed when we could not get him to quit talking. It was super weird that he knew where Florence is.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (489574)
• Italy
4h
May be he only wanted to chat, but I agree that it was disturbing. I am sure he invented the fact he had a house in Florence, as he did not know the street and the landmark, this is odd.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (67305)
• Centralia, Washington
10h
Did you feel the guy was somehow dangerous and maybe he could or would follow you like a stalker? Very strange conversation coming from a stranger, for sure.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (166931)
• United States
10h
No. I have worked in the field of adult disabilities, and he was not aggressive, just sort of innocently over friendly. He did not read social cues well.
2 people like this
@noni1959 (11730)
• United States
6h
I would have been on alert too. He was holding on and asking a lot of questions about you. He could have been a scammer or someone with mental health issues. His buying a house but not sure where, that sounds like the latter.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (52700)
10h
Yes, that is a bit concerning. I'm glad you were able to get away from him! Heather, you might try Barnes&Noble online. They have a lot of older out of print books there. Yes, it would cost more than a thrift store, but you could look there. Good luck on finding the book.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (166931)
• United States
9h
I can check there. Jane's husband reminded me to continually check back with the used book sellers I usually use as they get things in all the time.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (52700)
5h
@GardenGerty I love used book stores and looking at all the older books!
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (200592)
• United States
9h
I guess he meant no harm. I don't tend to like it when strangers talk to me too much though..unless they are particulary engaging or something
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (147038)
• Roseburg, Oregon
4h
That was odd and disturbing.
@JudyEv (368050)
• Rockingham, Australia
3h
I would have found that a bit disturbing too. It does sound like a bit like high-functioning autism.
@arunima25 (92778)
• Bangalore, India
8h
That definitely is odd and weird. It would be disturbing too. We live in times when we don't feel comfortable having long conversations with strangers. One of your guesses might be right. Some high functioning autistic individuals are like that.
1 person likes this