(Scene: Me pumping gas, while simultaneously using a squeegee to get the salt off of my back window) Suddenly, a voice:
Strange Person: "I should yell at you, young lady!"
Me (Looking around, wondering where the young lady was): "What?"
Strange Person: "I should yell at you, young lady!"
Me (Noticing a middle aged man looking at me on other side of pump): "Um. . . why?"
Strange Person: "You should be over here cleaning my window and pumping my gas!"
Me (Nervous laugh . . . threw the squeegee back in the bin, pulled the gas pump out of my car, got back into my car and locked the door and drove away in about five seconds flat)
What the hell is wrong with people? Sometimes I think maybe I'm being overly sensitive, but when I told my husband, he was appalled and asked, "Where WERE you?" Does it matter? In what circumstance does anyone, of any age, think that this is an appropriate thing to say to a stranger anywhere on the planet? I need Wonder Woman to pump my gas and get rid of these creepers!
That's just creepy
ReplyDeleteYes, it really was.
DeleteThat's really creepy! I do not understand randomly talking to strangers like that, especially with something just plain odd like that. Hubby and I are weirdo magnets any time we go out of town. Apparently no trip is complete for us without one weird encounter.
ReplyDeleteI've heard people say strange things while I've been on trips, but fortunately, none of it has been directed towards me.
DeleteYikes, what a freak! Some days it feels like they're in the majority.
ReplyDeleteMaybe if you had doused him with gasoline he might have gotten the hint!
It does feel like they are in the majority at times. I'm always too scared to say something back because you never know who has a gun.
DeleteOMG..I went back and read the post you wrote in 2009 first, before I read this one. WOW!
ReplyDeleteI'm like you, I don't like anyone standing too close and invading my personal space; especially a complete stranger. I'm also like you in that I attract (like a magnet) all the weirdos. I've even had prostitutes come up to me on the street and say, "Hey buddy...you got a match?" I kind you not!
X
I can't stand it when strangers get so close, and it's especially bad in lines. If I'm paying with a credit card, back up!!! I've learned to cover up the numbers or keep my card turned over. Maybe those hookers think you look like a rich boy with $$ to spend! LOL
DeleteMaybe he knew you and was kidding around? Maybe he was on drugs? I just don't know.
ReplyDeleteI need my space, too.
I'm not sure what his deal was, but 'teasing' women you don't know is just a bad idea.
DeleteThere's nowt so queer as folk, as they say in the north of England. Some people just say the first lunatic thing that comes into their head. Or did he think you were some kind of filling-station attendant?
ReplyDeleteThere is no such thing as attendants here (at least in my state) since about 1980. The odd thing was that I didn't even notice him until he said something. Maybe this is a lesson to me to be more aware of my surroundings.
Deletewas he trying to come on to you or was he a nutter??
ReplyDeletemy wife can attract a fruit loop from anywhere. she is uncanny at it - spend a day with her and you begin to appreciate how many weirdo's there are on this planet.
(I'm not sure what that makes me though)
It's hard to know what is behind this sort of thing. I guess we might look 'approachable,' but I was really just minding my own business and not even looking around. You should blog about some of your wife's encounters!
DeleteIck! Was that supposed to be flirtatious? I have those sorts of weird encounters, too, and they always creep me out. Once when my hair was looking a little redder than normal (brown with just a hint of red in the sunshine) some guy asked me if I had red hair "everywhere." Freak. We were both pumping gas at the time and wearing jeans and a t-shirt and sneakers, so not sexy at all. The ickiest part was that his wife or girlfriend was sitting in the passenger seat of his car. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteYup, I had a winter coat on, so not sexy at all! Nothing like being sexually harassed while pumping gas, is there?
Deleteme older brother would be one to make an off-beat comment like that. he's not really a creeper just no filter but to a stranger he'd be a definite creeper. still have no idea why he won't learn but obviously there are a lot running around in this world on the same level.
ReplyDeleteyou attract the creepers, i seem to attract the obnoxious and pushy. i think i get the better of the deal.
PS- have you been taught the wrist-knee-drop maneuver? it's a must for anyone going out in this world.
FYI- i'm gonna leave out the part about what came to mind when reading "I need Wonder Woman to pump my gas and get rid of these creepers!"
DeleteUnless I'm being kidnapped, I'm not going to act defensively. Too many weirdos carry guns these days. Fortunately, I'm in better shape than 95 percent of the male population my age, so I could outrun him if need be. Or run him over.
Deletebe safe out there, it's a wild world
DeleteWhile I may ask someone if they need doing something, if they seem like they are struggling, I would definitely not "come on" to someone like that comment seemed to be. And your encounter at Target was downright icky too; I bet it made you look twice the next time you were looking at cards there.
ReplyDeletebetty
Sometimes I think men are clueless!
DeleteAt least he didn't ask you to "take a peek under his hood" while winking lasciviously.
ReplyDeleteI like this sort of wit from my spouse, not from strangers at gas stations!
DeleteWell, yes, that was definitely sufficiently creepy.
ReplyDeleteBut hey, at least he called you 'Young Lady'. . .
;)
The young lady thing had me confused, I'll admit.
DeleteOkay, I just went and read your link to your older post and HOLY HELL!!! What is going on? People are freaks, man. Boundaries, people! Boundaries!
ReplyDeleteYes, that was a worse story. People ARE freaks!
DeleteThat is so weird! Great reaction, just bolting. I'm with you.
ReplyDeleteI've had a lot of experience with bolting, let me tell you!
DeleteI'll trade you ... weirdos for a**holes. I seem to attract lots of those. ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's because you work outside the home! Different breed of men!
Delete