Stranger Danger

Hi Members,

When i went to Cali one summer....i decided to take a stroll downtown while my sister and her friend we were visiting lived just blocks from the infamous Hollywood and Vine. Going take the stroll alone while they were resting for the nite ahead.

I noticed out of the corner of my eye someone that appeared to be following me. Not sure i walked into the next store to see if i was being followed. He walked in as well...down every aisle. Feeling alittle nervous i decide to leave and head back to the apt. As i headed for the residential area he was steady behind me.

He never picked up his pace but stayed a good 15 or so paces behind me. Now I'm getting a little panicked. I began to walk faster and faster....he kept up....15 paces. As i approach the apt building i'm thinking fast....should i take the elevator to the 6th floor or should i take the stairs. If i take the elevator he will know what floor i get off.

As i opened the double doors to the foyer i look behind me and he was looking dead at me. I decided to make a mad dash for the stairs.......i flew up those stairs faster than a sprint runner....down the hall and to the room in record timing.

I was scared to death and have often wondered the "what if". Have your ever found yourself in a situation that felt very threatening or know someone who has?

Lips

Well, other then being caught out in a massive thunderstorm, not recently

You know, this is due of course to population amounts.

It was rare for a stalker, or shall we say "Odd person" to not be known what or who they were and their."ahem" desires. Now with people moving from 1500 miles away and landing in a strange environment, those near them, don't WANT to know them as they could be just as you describe this man to be.

Thus, that's how many serial killers and such operate for so long as "Why they seemed so average" but nobody really knew them..

wow lips..that was freaky...i have never had that happen, but i have put myself in that position a lot.  i used to go on sabbiticals quite often, maybe a camping trip for a weekend, just to clear my head, or things like that, and as much as my soul needed it..my head would get in the way sometimes, and scare the crap out of myself.  peace of mind is not always an easy thing to attain, even when you are out trying to seek it on your own.   so glad nothing happened to you!!

Lip's,

Did it not occur to you, once your concern was confirmed in the store to casually point the fellow out to the clerk and ask them to notify 911? Then continued to "shop" till the police could arrive?

Yes, he had not "done anything wrong" but by being questioned his information and the complaint goes on file, in case he displays a similar penchant for another pretty young lady in the future, not to mention giving you the opportunity to return home unfollowed while he is busy explaining just what the hell he was doing to a cynical Police Officer...

Another option is to look for a gathering of two or three guys and act as if they are old friends, waving and smiling and just walking up to them smiling... then quickly pointing out the creep following you... Chivalry is not dead, and it is reinforced when men are in groups... I am sure your stalker would have found the sudden attention of overzealous men trying to "impress" the damsel in distress quite disturbing...

Predators rely on a victim acting like a victim...

Jimbo,

Yes that would be the "politically" correct thing to do. Perhaps i should of been a bit more specific. There was always an element of doubt as i walked down that strip. Its the human condition to doubt ones self. It was not clear to me til i walked in the residential area that i was clearly being followed. Unfortunately it was too late.

Thoughts rapidly raced through my mind.....am i being paranoid....having i been watching too many thrillers lately....is it all one big coincidence. Not to mention i was a naive 16 yr old girl when this took place. In fact when i arrived safely back inside the apartment and told my sis and her friend...they chuckled and thought i was being dramatic! Very typical scenario when one thinks...it happens to everyone else but not me.

Your suggestions are well taken and given the same set of circumstances today...things would of been handled differently. I like the idea of walking up to a couple of guys...that's a great tip. I hope anyone who is in a similar situation NEVER doubts their judgement.

It's better to be safe than sorry.

Lips

Yes the older we get the wiser we get.  Good advice jimbeaux.

medtrans

Nal,

You bring up an excellent point...."peace of mind is not always and easy thing to attain". Truer words have never been spoken.

The countless times i have tried to find solace and couldn't. Besieged with my surroundings and concerns that are hard to put to rest must less put into perspective.

I find what works for me is just sitting on the dock at the lake. But i have to admit........there has been fear...strange noises...strange people...etc. The question i guess is ....do i block my surroundings to find serenity or keep my guard up!

It's nice to drift in solitude....sometimes the best places are right in your own backyard.......with the birdies!

Lips

Lip's, I was pointing out that in most cases, go with your gut... if you feel uneasy... there is a reason. I bought the Wife a 9mm Taurus about 20 some years ago...

I Trust her gut.

The gentleman would have been staring into something much more sinister than her eyes if it had been her.
(added)

Let me say that going to a group of guys was not my brilliance, but hers, and something she did in a somewhat similar circumstance some time back. In this case she was heading to campus early, like 5 AM. Traffic was light so the car following her seemed to stand out. Not unusual, but she stopped at a Circle K for gas and the car turned with her then drove past the station.

When she left, suddenly she spotted the car again behind her as she was approaching the campus. She pulled into a different lot the she usually uses because it was well lit and as she got out and started walking she saw the car pull in and park.

now down home, colleges take their football seriously so coaches have the team suited up at 6 AM to run before the heat and humidity really set in so as she turned  was walking she spotted three football players walking toward the gym and laughing while calling out to them got them to turn around.

What the guy following her saw was her quickly walking up to three VERY Large southern boys and turning to point her finger directly at him... What she actually did was ask the boys for directions to a building in his general direction... Either way.... the guy quickly turned around and began fast walking back toward his car... at which point she explained to the boys what was going on...

The boys got an early run, the guy left the lot with tires smoking and no doubts that he had been suckered...

Wife has to my knowledge never pulled her 9mm on another person...

If she ever does... It will be because it was needed.

I'm thinking maybe the only "Taurus" she needs is the one she wakes up to everyday....wink!

Lips

I guess the walking toward a group of three or more guys doesn't work in this condition...

I got robbed at gun point once.  It was not fun.  But, in my calm voice I talked him out of shooting me.  My brother got me a gun after that, but...hey, I am a pacifist, so it's been locked up in my safe ever since.

Calm voice huh........did you have the hypnotize powers?