You don’t really need to answer that. I know I am. But still…
Yesterday in the Alby’s parking lot, parked right next to my minivan was a creepy looking man in a red 70’s pinto-ish something or other. He had a mustache, long hair and was in a well, like a said, an old junky-ish red car. With the windows rolled down. Just hangin’ out. Next to ma van.
When I went to buckle Spider in, (she was on the same side as the dude) I climbed in the van and shut the door. I mean, his window was open. I don’t need some man in a firebird viewing my hindequarters within pinching reach. When the baby was buckled in, instead of opening the door and getting out, I climbed over the seats and all the junk in the way to get in the driver’s spot. As I was getting buckled I happened to glance over and see the man make an "are you kidding me?" kind of face.
Maybe I offended him.
But I would rather have him be offended than me be offended or hurt or stolen. And I know I am pretty paranoid, but hey, we live in that kind of world, unfortunately. We live in a world where people walk into a mall and open fire. We live in a world where people fly airpl*nes into buildings. We live in a world where a passing jogger could turn around and cop a feel before running off leaving you flabbergasted and tarnished (happened to someone I know). There are lots of good people and I love America, but you know just as well as I, that we live in that kind of world.
So to the creepy man- I am sorry if you got offended, but you have got to know you were creepy. Sitting in a camaro, with nappy hair, wearing a grubby t-shirt with the windows rolled down is weird. It just is. Unless you live in Nashville and make gold records when you put your pants on, the long hair and mustache look is gross. And creepy. Okay, even those country music stars, I don’t really dig it….
Anyway. To any man reading this: If you are not a creep– do not dress like a creep! You know what a normal person looks like. Strive for that.
And if he wasn’t so creepy, then why did he pull out and re-park right after I left?
Paranoid? Me? You bet!
i think it’s better to be safe than sorry, like you said. and i also think that we get vibes from people for a reason; if it felt creepy to you, you have to protect yourself and your baby — you can’t worry about what this man thinks. i totally agree with you.
Comment by emily — April 4, 2008 @ 6:38 pm
Paranoid? I don’t think so. I’m apalled at the women who, with their backs turned, will unload groceries into a car, completely ignoring the children sitting in the cart. I always had the kids get in first and then locked all the doors while loading the trunk, at gas stations (before the days of paying at the pump) all 3 of my kids were forced to go in with me to pay. One of my girlfriends used to lock her kids in the car while she went inside. Anything could happen! What you did was smart.
Comment by laura — April 6, 2008 @ 3:02 pm
Brilliant I think you are blooy Brillant! BUT I would have totally injured myself and all of my children trying to climb over all the stuff in my car. Not the groceries so much as the well—-CRAP—- already in my car!
Comment by jd — April 7, 2008 @ 5:23 am
That’s hilarious because I have done the same thing. And he does sound creepy. yuck
Comment by Andrea — April 9, 2008 @ 3:02 am
I certaily wouldn’t worry about what he thought. In the end you never know what your actions may have prevented. You just be the mommy and forget what some nappy guy in a beater thinks…. In the end, you are teaching your kids to be careful and you JUST NEVER KNOW. Better to be paranoid than any number of other things… that whole “ounce of prevention” saying my grandmother used to say makes much more sense now that I have kids….
Comment by Sarah — April 29, 2008 @ 5:06 pm