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

[Gypsy]

Oy.

Sorry you had that experience Kaleigh.

I dealt with that quite a bit when I lived in DC proper. It was difficult, but my usual reaction was, " act interested, talk slowly, in a low voice while backing away from the crazy people."

I just didn't know what else to do.

 

[Skippy123]

Ann,

What did you say when he asked if you were pretty and thin? I would have said I gained a lot of weight. I don't mean to make it sound funny but maybe if you make yourself sound unattractive that will keep him away from you. Just a thought. What did your hubby think??? I am so sorry; that is very creepy.

 

[Kaleigh]

I have one creepy story to share about a flight I had coming home from Nantucket. I think it was pre 9/11. Anyway, I was flying home to Philly on US Air Business express, it was a Sunday night. Had to get back to Nanny who was sick. There was this guy, who was causing a comotion. He looked exactly like the Character actor who played the Dad in American Pie. He acted very disturbed and had a small dog with him. This flight isn't usually packed, just filled with businessmen getting back in time for their work. Luckily my friends husband was on the flight. I board the plane saying a few prayers that my seat isn't next to this guy. Well it wasn't next to him, but was right across the aisle.

He wouldn't fasten his seat belt, he wanted his little doggie to be able to raom the aisles. There was only one stewardess, barely over the age of 18. She gives him a stern talking to. The plane takes off, and what does he do?? Starts yelling in a foreign language. The men on the plane, held him down, made him put the dog in his carrier. But it was a huge fight. Once we landed,the police were waiting for him and took him off in handcuffs. We all had to be questioned by the police to tell them our accounts of what happened. I have to say, that flight was the scariest flight I have ever been on.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 4/29/2007 7:57:22 PM
Author: Kaleigh
I have one creepy story to share about a flight I had coming home from Nantucket. I think it was pre 9/11. Anyway, I was flying home to Philly on US Air Business express. Had to get back to Nanny who was sick. There was this guy, who was causing a comotion. He looked exactly like the Character actor who played the Dad in American Pie. He acted very disturbed and had a small dog with him. This flight isn''t usually packed, just filled with businessmen getting back in time for their work. Luckily my friends husband was on the flight. I board the plane saying a few prayers that my seat isn''t next to this guy. Well it wasn''t next to him, but was right across the aisle.

He wouldn''t fasten his seat belt, he wanted his little doggie to be able to raom the aisles. There was only one stewardess, barely over the age of 18. She gives him a stern talking to. The plane takes off, and what does he do?? Starts yelling in a foreign language. The men on the plane, held him down, made him put the dog in his carrier. But it was a huge fight. Once we landed,the police were waiting for him and took him off in handcuffs. We all had to be questioned by the police to tell them our accounts of what happened. I have to say, that flight was the scariest flight I have ever been on.

Oh my; that is horrible. I would have been scared too! They shouldn''t have taken off with him like that!

 

[Ann]

Skippy, I told him that after 2 kids and many years, of course I had changed.
Imagine Pat Paulson from the Smothers Brothers TV show and Tiny Tim, that''s what this guy looked like. He was no prize, but we shared an interest in sailing and we both were in the Sea Scouts together. Skippy, both his parents are deceased, so there''s no help. My husband just sorta laughed about it, but he knows how much this creeped me out.

 

[Kaleigh]

Ann,
Your local phone company can block his number. I''d call them and ask them if there is anything else you should do. IE, explain the situation and see what they say. I''d rather you play it safe.

 

[Harriet]

Who''s Harvey the pink rabbit? I was at the local Borders, and asked if I could take a seat next to a woman. She told me that Harvery was sitting there. That store also has an elderly woman who sits there for hours scribbling away and tearing packets of sugar and sugar subs.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 4/29/2007 9:39:55 PM
Author: Kaleigh
Ann,
Your local phone company can block his number. I'd call them and ask them if there is anything else you should do. IE, explain the situation and see what they say. I'd rather you play it safe.

Me too. I am sorry; I hope he doesn't bother you again.

 

[Ann]

Thanks guys, I will check that out.
It''s sad we have to take measures like that,
but we have to protect ourselves.
And honestly, if the guy was dealing with
a full deck, he should have known better
than to actually tell me how he found me and about
the Google map.

Ha, guess what I did? I Googled him!
There was 1 entry - he sent a "how to
catch a fly" suggestion to a local
gardening forum. I can pick ''em!

 

[FireGoddess]

Wow Lisa, that is so weird. I''ve never had anyone come talk to me at a bookstore, unless the cafe is crowded and they want to share a table!!! Seriously weird.

Ann...that is really scary. The fact that people can now pay to get one''s personal info isn''t good.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 4/29/2007 11:43:27 PM
Author: Ann
Thanks guys, I will check that out.
It's sad we have to take measures like that,
but we have to protect ourselves.
And honestly, if the guy was dealing with
a full deck, he should have known better
than to actually tell me how he found me and about
the Google map.

Ha, guess what I did? I Googled him!
There was 1 entry - he sent a 'how to
catch a fly' suggestion to a local
gardening forum. I can pick 'em!

LOL, Ann you are too cute. heehee

 

[tiffanytwisted]

Sometimes people are just creepy. A couple of weeks ago I was with a friend at a sushi restaurant. We decided to sit outside because the weather was nice. Just before meeting her I scratched my eye with my contact so my eye was watering and painful, I could hardly open it and couldn''t see very well. Anyway, we are sitting outside and this guy who is obviously drunk walks up to us and starts talking. I tried to ignore him and then he patted me on the shoulder, at which point I told him he was bothering us and not to touch me. He then started telling my friend what a b**** I am and how she shouldn''t be friends with me. After a minute of that he just left. My fiance is a cop and he patrols that area and I was really wishing he would happen to drive by!

 

[JenniferB]

There are so many freako stories in here! Kaleigh - good idea on moving the Louie! She sounds like the type of crazy, esp if ok dressed, that would bolt with your bag and you''d see charges on your credit card for like 6 kikichu monkeys the next day or something weird. DF, you are SO right about bookstores especially ones with Starbucks attached. When I was studying for the Bar I alternated between our law library and a BN with a Starbucks (Westside Pavillion for any Angelenos!) for changes of scenery. CRAZIES everywhere! There ARE regulars - smelly homeless man that comes in to get coffee, pound his fist on the table - rhythmically - for hours. Crazy bag lady with many, many, totes of cat stuff and yarns of all colors, that she doesn''t do anything with while there. These are just the people that make it inside...SUPER crazies are on the street outside. And then a smattering of men that come in to cruise the scene while they take waaaay tooo long getting coffee and picking up a random magazine and asking idiotic questions to anyone that even makes the slightest bit of eyecontact. The BN people say that the regular crazy people are harmless, but for B.O. imho, and to not worry about them.

If anyone is planning to spend extended time in a BN, Borders or the like, in the middle of a city - I wore earplugs and put my hair in a ponytail...any crazy or random sketch monster that came up I would just point to my ears and do the "I can''t hear you" sympathy shrug!

Ann - - CHANGE YOUR PHONE NUMBER!!!!

 

[Madam Bijoux]

I was approached by 2 strange women at the King of Prussia Mall. The first incident happened while I was having coffee and reading the newspaper at the expresso bar outside of Nordstrom's. The woman came up to my table, pulled up a chair asked me if I wanted to chat. I suspected that she was a religious nut who wanted to proselytize, so I told her that I was trying to read. She walked away. The second incident happened in the china department at Neiman's. A woman walked up to me and told me that I have a very strong aura,and asked if I have time for an astrological reading. I said no thanks.

 

[diamondfan]

Too funny that a Neiman''s shopper was looking at aura''s...

 

[Ann]

I just remembered this special meeting ...

I was in Bed Bath & Beyond, looking at those little hand held
massagers/vibrators. After I checked out, I lady walked over
to me and gave me her card. She gave sex toy parties and started telling
me she had vibrators that were a lot stronger than the little massager
I was looking at. I think I turned 10 shades of red and somehow
got away!

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 5/1/2007 1:06:24 PM
Author: Ann
I just remembered this special meeting ...

I was in Bed Bath & Beyond, looking at those little hand held
massagers/vibrators. After I checked out, I lady walked over
to me and gave me her card. She gave sex toy parties and started telling
me she had vibrators that were a lot stronger than the little massager
I was looking at. I think I turned 10 shades of red and somehow
got away!

LOL! Too funny; I think she was watching too much Sex In the City and probably thought she was Samantha.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 5/1/2007 1:06:24 PM
Author: Ann
I just remembered this special meeting ...

I was in Bed Bath & Beyond, looking at those little hand held
massagers/vibrators. After I checked out, I lady walked over
to me and gave me her card. She gave sex toy parties and started telling
me she had vibrators that were a lot stronger than the little massager
I was looking at. I think I turned 10 shades of red and somehow
got away!

OMG!!! I would have turned red too!!!

 

[Ann]

at least she had the decency to approach me outside of the store!

just this morning in the grocery store, an older woman
approached me while I was waiting for the butcher to cut some steaks
for me. This woman said she knew the Butt''s. I knew that the Butts were an old Texas family that owned lots of businesses, one being the =HEB grocery chain.
Anyway, she said "I did all their hair" I had no choice but to stay there and chat
with her, I had to get my steaks! Harmless, little old lady, whew, for a change!

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 5/1/2007 6:00:05 PM
Author: Ann
at least she had the decency to approach me outside of the store!

just this morning in the grocery store, an older woman
approached me while I was waiting for the butcher to cut some steaks
for me. This woman said she knew the Butt''s. I knew that the Butts were an old Texas family that owned lots of businesses, one being the =HEB grocery chain.
Anyway, she said ''I did all their hair'' I had no choice but to stay there and chat
with her, I had to get my steaks! Harmless, little old lady, whew, for a change!

I love little old lady''s. I once was at Target and this adorable 80 year old was telling me her secrets for staying young. I laugh because I see her walking everywhere! She was so cute

 

[rockzilla]

Jennifer B-

I know the starbucks/BN you are talking about - but it is closed for renovations now!

My crazy person story is when I was first in LA, and my bf was borrowing my car since his was in the shop. So, I was taking the bus (I know, it''s LA, but I happen to think it is a really good thing to do for the enviornment) which is a PRIME spot for nutcases...and this old guy comes up to me and is like..."I know you! You used to come over my house and eat fried chicken" "No sir, I think you have me confused with someone else" "No! I know it was you!" "I''m sorry sir, but I''m a vegetarian"

And then I moved up front next to the driver

RZ