Don''t judge a book by it''s cover...

[Kaleigh]

Ok so this week was a bad one, went to the book store to buy something inspirational . I also promised my BFF from high school I'd check out the rankings to colleges. My godson was having a hard time deciding between 2 schools. So I am sitting in a chair, next to a table trying to memorize the stats for these schools, ( wasn't going to buy the book). As I am concentrating, a woman comes up to me. She holds out her hand and says " Hi, Karen Kennedy ". I take a look at her, and really have never seen this woman in my life. I wasn't in a great mood, so I say, sorry I don't know you. She takes her head back and cocks it a bit. Now I am thinking, crap, maybe I do know her, like our kids went to nursery school together and start to feel bad. But then she says.... I am Jackie Kennedy's illegitimate child.

My purse was sitting on the table open, so I went to put it in my lap. All my red flags were up. She notices my purse and says, Oh Louis Vuitton, parlez vous Francais??? I tried ignoring her but it wasn't working, so I told her she was bothering me, and to go bother someone else.

My BFF told me many unstable people hang out at book stores. Then she said, so what are the stats?? She's a nurse, so nothing phases her. She's seen it all. And she had a good laugh. I told her she owes me one.

Anyone else encounter stuff like this?? And what do you do??

 

[poptart]

People are weird

. Things like that happen to me more than I care to mention. Random people I''ve never met or seen in my life will just walk over to me and start up a conversation out of NOWHERE in the store, airport (a little more normal), at gas stations... you name it. Sorry you had a creepy one trying to shake your hand though, haha.

*M*

 

[oshinbreez]

Date: 4/28/2007 10:46:22 PM
Author: poptart
People are weird

. Things like that happen to me more than I care to mention. Random people I''ve never met or seen in my life will just walk over to me and start up a conversation out of NOWHERE in the store, airport (a little more normal), at gas stations... you name it. Sorry you had a creepy one trying to shake your hand though, haha.


*M*

That happens to me ALL the time. At a store, I''ve had employees come up to me and start telling me their life stories. And don''t even bother asking me if I need help. And more than my share of people start talking to me about their problems when I''m standing in line to cash out. People have even walked up to me on the street and start talking to me about all their problems. Do I look like I really want to know all this? In fact, just a few days ago a lady came over to inquire about a vehicle that David has for sale, but isn''t advertised, just a for sale sign on it. I told her she''d have to talk to David about it as I really don''t know anything about it. She ended up telling me about the guy she recently broke up with, how she''s been a widow over 20 years, all the places she''s lived and how she grew up in this area. I must have "Confess to me" written on my forehead. Sheesh.

 

[poptart]

Date: 4/28/2007 11:12:19 PM
Author: oshinbreez

Date: 4/28/2007 10:46:22 PM

Author: poptart

People are weird

. Things like that happen to me more than I care to mention. Random people I''ve never met or seen in my life will just walk over to me and start up a conversation out of NOWHERE in the store, airport (a little more normal), at gas stations... you name it. Sorry you had a creepy one trying to shake your hand though, haha.



*M*

That happens to me ALL the time. At a store, I''ve had employees come up to me and start telling me their life stories. And don''t even bother asking me if I need help. And more than my share of people start talking to me about their problems when I''m standing in line to cash out. People have even walked up to me on the street and start talking to me about all their problems. Do I look like I really want to know all this? In fact, just a few days ago a lady came over to inquire about a vehicle that David has for sale, but isn''t advertised, just a for sale sign on it. I told her she''d have to talk to David about it as I really don''t know anything about it. She ended up telling me about the guy she recently broke up with, how she''s been a widow over 20 years, all the places she''s lived and how she grew up in this area. I must have ''Confess to me'' written on my forehead. Sheesh.

Ha! Isn''t it awkward?! I once had this guy ask me for relationship advice with his new wife because they weren''t getting along very well, and what could he do to make her happy. I was 18. How should I know what to do with your disgruntled wife?

*M*

 

[Skippy123]

Kaleigh, that is creepy; sorry you had to deal with that! Did you find something inspirational? I hope you are doing okay; hang in there.

I recently had something creepy happen while I was reading the Entertainment Book (coupon book) in line at a fast food place in a nice part of town. I was with my husband and I was trying to find a coupon. This man turns to me and says reading is evil. I just laugh because I thought he was trying to be funny since I wasn't actually reading a book (remember it has only coupons). He then said it is true and told me not to laugh.

Well, then he tells me he is going to kill me. I look at him shocked; he says again he is killing me but with his mind. I got so nervous my husband whispers not to look at him and ignore him. I was ready to start screaming but my husband kept me sane. The cashiers looked nervous too; he did not do anything to anyone. We figured he was just sick; he ordered his food and then left. That really creeped me out!!! It just makes you worry about people out there sometimes.

 

[Miranda]

Kaleigh, sorry you have been having rough week. I hope things start to turn around. The creepy woman can''t have helped. What a weirdo. I have nutsos talk to me all of the time, too. Especially at Wal-Mart (yuck, there''s no Target w/in 8 miles of me so I go to Wal-mart if I must, but, I''m not a fan) I think they hire loony tunes there. Seriously, crazy people. Every time I go there I think to myself ''be unapproachable be unapproachable'' or ''don''t look them in the eye''. A few weeks ago I was at the grocery store with DD. While loading the groceries into the car a man that works there started talking to me...and talking to me...and talking to me...and coming closer and closer. I just finally said, "I have to go now" hopped in the car, locked the doors and then buckled DD into her carseat. I''m not sure how to deal with this sort of thing except to ignore it or, like you did, tell them to go away.

 

[KindredSpirit717]

Holy cow, Skippy!! I would definitley have been scared in that type of situation.

I''ve definitley encountered my share of odd people since I am in the city very often and there are some very mentally disabled people around, sometimes they talk to me, sometimes they don''t. Just a few weeks ago I was at the social security office and there was a man who kept talking to himself about how he should have killed some people and kept making gun noises, and two women who weren''t right were there as well. After waiting in the office after an hour and a half, I went to use the one unisex bathroom, but that man who was talking of killing people was in there and kept flushing the toilet. After about 20 mins, I went to get the security guard, and she was NO WHERE in sight. After he finally got out another 10 mins later, there was smoke all in the bathroom and he kept saying how "he flushed it all, it was all gone" and even though he wasn''t talking to me, I was a tad weirded out by it. I was also very concerned about the lack of security there, but that''s another story....

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 4/28/2007 11:27:23 PM
Author: Skippy123
Kaleigh, that is creepy; sorry you had to deal with that! Did you find something inspirational? I hope you are doing okay; hang in there.

I recently had something creepy happen while I was reading the Entertainment Book (coupon book) in line at a fast food place in a nice part of town. I was with my husband and I was trying to find a coupon. This man turns to me and says reading is evil. I just laugh because I thought he was trying to be funny since I wasn't actually reading a book (remember it has only coupons). He then said it is true and told me not to laugh.

Well, then he tells me he is going to kill me. I look at him shocked; he says again he is killing me but with his mind. I got so nervous my husband whispers not to look at him and ignore him. I was ready to start screaming but my husband kept me sane. The cashiers looked nervous too; he did not do anything to anyone. We figured he was just sick; he ordered his food and then left. That really creeped me out!!! It just makes you worry about people out there sometimes.

OMG Skippy, that IS creepy. Everything is fine in the Kaleigh household, thank god!!!

I have never experienced anything like you have. People do approach me, but in a nice way. People seem to smile at me a lot, but hey I'll take a smile than a frown any day. I am sorry that happened to you. Thank goodness your hubby was with you.

 

[Skippy123]

It was creepy. I was so confused after it all happened; I just wondered about that guy. I completely forgot about it until I read your post.

I too get lots of people who talk to me but I am very smiley so I think people feel comfortable w/me, even if I am a stranger. It usually doesn't bother me much but that guy did.

I am gald you are doing better Kaleigh; I hadn't seen you around here. I am glad you are back.

I think KS's story is scary too!

 

[Ann]

Oh gosh Kaleigh, that is really odd. Did she leave and approach others?

Skippy and KindredSpirit - how scary. I don''t know what I would do - run!

Earlier this week I had a phone call from a guy I dated very briefly in high school.
I have not spoken to or seen this guy since 1973. At that time he was about to enter college and study architecture. He was brillant and very motivated, both parents were university profs and pushed him for sure. He never finished school and recently retired from the IRS. He even told me his salary!(very low!) Anyway, his call creeped me out. He could barely put 2 words together and could not keep the conversation going - I had to struggle to ask questions, even though he called me. I managed to get out of him that he was divorced and lived a few states away -thank God.
He didn''t ask questions about my family or my life, he just wanted to know if I was still thin and pretty. Too weird. I tried to tell him age has a way of dealing with that! He told me he PAID to get my address and phone number on the net. Oh geez! He wouldn''t hang up, he just kept saying odd little things that didn''t relate to me. He really scared me.

 

[Skippy123]

Yikes Ann! That would scare me.

 

[Kaleigh]

Oh Ann, that is scary!!! I really wonder about the web, seems like anything is for sale, your phone number, your address, etc... Technology is a double edged sword, great for some things, but harmful for others. Can you block him from calling you again Ann??

 

[diamondfan]

those sites that help you find people kind of skeeve me out. if it is someone you wish to have find you, great, but that is not usually the case.

I always get weirdo cab drivers who start telling me the oddest and creepiest things, about their drug use and criminal pasts and other creepy crap, I usually try to seem REALLY interested in it so they do not get mad and drive off with me somewhere, but I have been afraid more than once.

Skippy, I would have freaked and peed myself. That was clearly an unstable time bomb type person...should not be out scaring people, but who knows what his deal is? Yikes.

 

[iheartscience]

Wow...these are some creepy stories! YIKES! People are just getting crazier and weirder these days, it seems. I''m glad you ladies escaped from these people unscathed!

I''ve actually been told that I look intimidating by more than one person, so I think that''s why I don''t usually get approached or bothered by weird people. I''m kind of tall and plus I guess I just don''t look "nice," but if it keeps the crazies away, I don''t really care!

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 4/28/2007 10:46:22 PM
Author: poptart
People are weird

. Things like that happen to me more than I care to mention. Random people I''ve never met or seen in my life will just walk over to me and start up a conversation out of NOWHERE in the store, airport (a little more normal), at gas stations... you name it. Sorry you had a creepy one trying to shake your hand though, haha.

*M*

Thanks, it''s so odd how random people will act. I never shook her hand. I was feeling creepy vibes from the get go.

Ok so I did call the manager at my BFF''s insisting, later that day. The manager asked me to describe the woman. I said she was very well dressed, in her late 40''s, etc... The manager said thanks for letting us know, but it doesn''t sound like one of our regulars. I was like regulars???

 

[diamondfan]

Well, bookstores are big hang out places now, especially the ones with cafes in them...sort of a singles bar without the booze! And there are people who go in and browse a lot but do not buy, they just come in to hang out.

 

[lumpkin]

Kaleigh, how absolutely weird! Yikes!

When I was in high school I worked at a fast food place and one time some man came in and said I was really Goldie Hawn hobnobbing with regular people. He was a middle aged man and pretty bizarre, but I think I was too young (barely 16) to give it much thought, other than the teenage kind of, "but I don''t look like Goldie Hawn". I was too young and innocent to be concerned with it, but I think now I would be. He never came back, thankfully.

We had a VERY creepy neighbor across the street who has since moved. She was in her 50''s and was entertaining men she met from the net. How do I know that? Well, I was working in a salon and she came to me to have her nails done. She told me all about it. She told me stuff you would tell your best friend, not a neighbor you''ve never talked to. She was way too interested in my older son, who was about 5 at the time and tried several times to get me to let her baby sit him. She got my husband over to her house to fix her computer and she had **** all over her desk. Then her unemployed son moved in with her and he watched the neighborhood boys all the time. There was definitely something very wrong there and I am beyond grateful they have moved.

We have had a lot of other weird stuff in the neighborhood in the 17 years we''ve lived here, too. And we live in a really nice, sort of "typical" suburban neighborhood. We''ve had a neighbor taken away in cuffs, but he came home that same day. I have no idea what that was about. Over Easter our new neighbor (who moved into the creepy neighbor''s house) had two police cars and an ambulance over at their house, but the grandmother lives there and has Alzheimer''s so I''m hoping it had something to do with that and not some sort of domestic argument.

Lots of weirdos out there.

 

[Ann]

Kaleigh, blocking his number is a good idea. I''ll see if I can do that. But if I can and he attempts to call again and realizes his call is blocked - would that "set him off" ? This guy really scared me. To hear from someone who I had a few dates with over 33 years ago, it''s just odd. Then add in the factor that he paid 49.95 (!) to get my number off the net, just doesn''t add up. He even said he saw my house on a Google map. He had nothing important to say, other than the one question, but somehow we (rather I) did manange to talk for about 15 minutes. My husband said maybe he was bored and lonely and reaching out. Maybe, or maybe a desperate creepo. If the conversation had been cheerful and flowing, then I could accept a phone call like that, but it wasn''t. The tone of the call was spooky and dark. I even considered he had some form of brain damage from an accident or something. He was never a drug or alcohol user, but something was way off.

 

[poptart]

Date: 4/29/2007 11:30:49 AM
Author: Ann
Kaleigh, blocking his number is a good idea. I''ll see if I can do that. But if I can and he attempts to call again and realizes his call is blocked - would that ''set him off'' ? This guy really scared me. To hear from someone who I had a few dates with over 33 years ago, it''s just odd. Then add in the factor that he paid 49.95 (!) to get my number off the net, just doesn''t add up. He even said he saw my house on a Google map. He had nothing important to say, other than the one question, but somehow we (rather I) did manange to talk for about 15 minutes. My husband said maybe he was bored and lonely and reaching out. Maybe, or maybe a desperate creepo. If the conversation had been cheerful and flowing, then I could accept a phone call like that, but it wasn''t. The tone of the call was spooky and dark. I even considered he had some form of brain damage from an accident or something. He was never a drug or alcohol user, but something was way off.

That is so creepy. Sorry that happened to you! If you don''t block his number though and he keeps calling, that may end up with him still being set off if he starts viewing the conversations going in a more promising direction than you ever intended. Best to stop it before it gets more complicated. I can''t believe he payed for your number and found your house on Google. So creepy.

*M*

 

[lumpkin]

Ann, what are his parents like? Is there any way you could call them and find out if he''s had any psychiatric treatment?

I don''t know if I would react too much yet, unless he calls again or makes other contact.

 

[sarahthewarrior]

Ha... a guy on the street once came up to me and said, "Your hair reminds me of the blossoms on the trees in spring." I told him my hair reminded me more of fall and just kept on walking!

I feel like I might just be one of those creepy people in airports. I always get so bored sitting there, so sometimes I try to strike up a conversation. I hope no one thinks I''m off my rocker! I figure it''s less annoying than the people who just sit there and jabber away on their cell phones.

 

[Skippy123]

Sarah,

I have a job that was sending me all over the country and so I had to fly a lot. I am not currently traveling for work but when I would talk to people in the airports or on the plane depending on whether they seem sweet.


The reason I talk to people on the plane is that I hate the take off or turbulance so it keeps me distracted and my ipod is good at keeping me distracted too. That would be funny if people thought I was the creepy person; hopefully I am not and I have no had anyone tell me to leave them alone.

In fact on a flight to DC this lady wanted me to meet her for lunch, but I said I probably would be to busy and wished her luck on her sightseeing.

 

[lumpkin]

Oh, Skippy, no one could ever think of you as creepy!

 

[Linda W]

Lisa, that is so creepy.

Well we I do have a story to tell, but it isn''t creepy, actually it is humorous to SOME extent.

We have a young man, who lives way down the end of our street. He just rides his bike up and down the street every so often. He must be about 22 years old. He is very friendly, but you can tell something is wrong with him.

My husband bought a car, fixed it up and had a sign on it out in front to sell.

Well this young man came over and wanted to buy it. He came over, filled the paper work and when it was time to give my DH the money, he said he had to call Aaron Spelling for the money. (THE late Aaron Spelling). My DH said what the @#%# are you talking about, you don''t know him. The young man said yes I do, he is my friend. We we thought he was "weird", so DH just told him to forget it, he can''t have the car.

He kept coming back and told him "Aaron" was going to send him the money any day now. DH told him to forget it, he was making up a story.

We last year, DH met this boys father and the story was TRUE. This young man used to live in LA and was in a rock band and used to hang out at Aaron Spellings house, along with Tori Spelling. He WAS great friends with Aaron, until this neighbor boy of ours started doing drugs and just "messed" his mind up.

So sad for the young boy.

Linda

Linda

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 4/29/2007 2:43:11 AM
Author: diamondfan
Well, bookstores are big hang out places now, especially the ones with cafes in them...sort of a singles bar without the booze! And there are people who go in and browse a lot but do not buy, they just come in to hang out.

Makes Amazon.com look better and better!

Lisa, I would have really been scared in that situation. I live in the south and it''s not unusual for strangers to strike up a conversation, but there is a difference between normal and abnormal. But I''m glad to know that it''s not safe to go in bookstores alone anymore!

 

[kcoursolle]

Oh man, sometimes I think there are so many weirdos living in LA!!! Stuff like this happens to me all the time. I don''t have a car, so many mentally unstable people often come and talk to me at the bus stop LOL!

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 4/29/2007 4:24:06 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006

Date: 4/29/2007 2:43:11 AM
Author: diamondfan
Well, bookstores are big hang out places now, especially the ones with cafes in them...sort of a singles bar without the booze! And there are people who go in and browse a lot but do not buy, they just come in to hang out.

Makes Amazon.com look better and better!

Lisa, I would have really been scared in that situation. I live in the south and it''s not unusual for strangers to strike up a conversation, but there is a difference between normal and abnormal. But I''m glad to know that it''s not safe to go in bookstores alone anymore!

Haha, true that. It didn''t happen in the book store cafe, it happened down stairs and I was kind of cornered with no where to go. That'' what made it worse. Everyone I have told this story to thinks it''s hysterical, but that''s cause I tell it in a funny way?? But yeah it was creepy. But some of the other PS''ers stories really have me creeped out. Also I was in no mood to deal with her. Normally I would have been more patient.

 

[luckystar112]

One time when I was about 18 years old, I was walking back to work from a smoothie place. It was on a really busy street and let me tell you...I''ve seen my share of weirdos on it. Well, this one particular time I was just minding my own business...it was the middle of the day--this homeless looking man, out of nowhere, grabs my arm and tells me that I have to help him find his "luggage". He pointed to this very small patch of woods...which is pretty much where the only trees on the entire street were located. I was like, "um...no thanks!" and tried to walk away. He kept hold of my arm and was like, "please help me...my luggage is in there! Help me find it....come on!" and I pulled my arm away and RAN as fast as I could. I was so petrified. I mean...the busiest street in Houston...with tons of people around...in the middle of the day. It was so weird. Don''t only be afraid of nighttime!

 

[poptart]

Date: 4/29/2007 1:40:06 PM
Author: sarahthewarrior
Ha... a guy on the street once came up to me and said, ''Your hair reminds me of the blossoms on the trees in spring.'' I told him my hair reminded me more of fall and just kept on walking!


I feel like I might just be one of those creepy people in airports. I always get so bored sitting there, so sometimes I try to strike up a conversation. I hope no one thinks I''m off my rocker! I figure it''s less annoying than the people who just sit there and jabber away on their cell phones.

I doubt you''re one of the creepy ones... I however, am one of the annoying people on their cellphones trying to avoid conversations with people I don''t know! lol! Airports are kind of awkward places in general if you think about it... It''s sort of like being trapped and everyone is trying to find a way to entertain themselves on their waits and layovers.

*M*

 

[luckystar112]

UGH. I hate airports. And like Skippy, I hate taking off...the rest of the flight I''m usually fine though, unless there is crazy turbulence. But I pretty much always start crying during take-off. I''m a wuss.

I''m the person who will openly tell people to "get over it" when they huff and puff about taking off their shoes. I also like to remind people that they are supposed to listen to the flight attendant when she says to turn your electronics off. lol.
Hey- I get MEAN when I''m scared/paranoid! I bet the 9/11 victims wished there could have been a little extra security that day, right? And I don''t care if electronic interference on planes has been proven or not. Follow directions!!!! Yikes.

But I''ve met a lot of nice people on flights. The last flight I went on, I talked to an older lady for hours about the food network. I really liked that lady.