Warning re: man approaching car in S20

gravey boat · 09-07-2007, 09:52

This may have been entirely innocent but my instincts said otherwise. I am female and was parked in my car near to Damon's restaurant yesturday evening waiting to pick someone up. While I was waiting a man was ambling about on the road and apparently talking on a pink mobile phone. I had a bad feeling about him and locked my car door. He then approached my driver side window and started speaking to me through the glass. I couldn't hear him but couldn't see a reason he would need to speak to a woman in a car alone at 9.30pm so didn't open the window or door and phoned my boyfriend on my mobile. He started to walk off when I didn't respond but then hung around further up the road round the Damon's car park. This man may have had no ill intention but I just felt there was something strange about it. Just wanted to make other people aware and to be on their guard in the area.

ukstudent · 09-07-2007, 10:51

Thanks for that. Does sound a bit weird

miss1889 · 09-07-2007, 11:17

Yes thanks for letting us know, i will be on full alert!

pattricia · 09-07-2007, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by gravey boat

This may have been entirely innocent but my instincts said otherwise. I am female and was parked in my car near to Damon's restaurant yesturday evening waiting to pick someone up. While I was waiting a man was ambling about on the road and apparently talking on a pink mobile phone. I had a bad feeling about him and locked my car door. He then approached my driver side window and started speaking to me through the glass. I couldn't hear him but couldn't see a reason he would need to speak to a woman in a car alone at 9.30pm so didn't open the window or door and phoned my boyfriend on my mobile. He started to walk off when I didn't respond but then hung around further up the road round the Damon's car park. This man may have had no ill intention but I just felt there was something strange about it. Just wanted to make other people aware and to be on their guard in the area.

I think you did the right thing. Even if he was perfectly innocent,better to be safe than sorry.

Sheilabowing · 09-07-2007, 11:21

It's sensible to be careful. I trust my instincts too. Hopefully it was innocent but thanks for the warning.

sarah1 · 09-07-2007, 11:25

He may have well just been meeting someone there and the person they were supposed to have met, didn't turn up..
He may have just been asking if you'd seen this person, and worried because this person wasn't there..
Maybe his daughter/wife..

Not everything is as it may seem..

miss1889 · 09-07-2007, 11:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarah1

He may have well just been meeting someone there and the person they were supposed to have met, didn't turn up..
He may have just been asking if you'd seen this person, and worried because this person wasn't there..
Maybe his daughter/wife..

Not everything is as it may seem..

And maybe he wasnt? i think the op did the right thing it not taking any chances!

gravey boat · 09-07-2007, 11:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarah1

He may have well just been meeting someone there and the person they were supposed to have met, didn't turn up..
He may have just been asking if you'd seen this person, and worried because this person wasn't there..
Maybe his daughter/wife..

Not everything is as it may seem..

Absolutely. But then I'd rather be a bit rude to someone and safe than give them the benefit of the doubt and be wrong. But I didn't describe the man physically precisely because people should be treated as innocent until proven guilty. At the same time it doesn't hurt to suggest people be wary.

djelibeybi · 09-07-2007, 11:54

I think the OP did right. I always lock my car doors, no matter what time of the day or night, or whether I'm alone or not. Call me paranoid, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Any man with a brain who tries to speak to a solitary woman parked in her car late at night and is ignored, will realise that his actions have unsettled her and move on, probably apologising as he goes.....then again.....not every man is a gentleman.....see the article below and be aware:

Police hunt car thug

Serendipity1 · 09-07-2007, 11:57

Man with a pink mobile says it all for me lol

gularscute · 09-07-2007, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarah1

He may have well just been meeting someone there and the person they were supposed to have met, didn't turn up..
He may have just been asking if you'd seen this person, and worried because this person wasn't there..
Maybe his daughter/wife..

Not everything is as it may seem..

Sometimes things aren't what they seem but it's better to go with your gut feelings in these situations rather than go against your instincts by trying to be broad minded.

The man approached a lone woman in her car and attempted to get her to open the door or window. What legitimate reason would he have to do so? There were other people around further up the road and Damons was nearby, if he had wanted to ask about someone he was supposed to meet, use a phone, ask for directions etc there were opportunities to do so with people who weren't vulnerable.

All men with good intentions know not to put vulnerable people in a situation where they feel fear. It's very likely this man's intentions weren't good.

sarah1 · 09-07-2007, 12:39

Can I just point something out here seeing as though everyone seems to be quoting me on this..

I have not anywhere on this thread said that what gravey did was wrong..
She went with her instincts which was the right thing for her to do..
All I'm saying, and if you read what gravey herself said, it may have been entirely innocent..

He MAY have had different intension, maybe NOT..

The fact that he walked away from her and stayed around and didn't run away, in itself tells me that he wasn't up to any mischief as if he was, he'd have run a mile when he saw her on the phone !!!!

gularscute · 09-07-2007, 13:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarah1

Can I just point something out here seeing as though everyone seems to be quoting me on this..

I have not anywhere on this thread said that what gravey did was wrong..
She went with her instincts which was the right thing for her to do..
All I'm saying, and if you read what gravey herself said, it may have been entirely innocent..

He MAY have had different intension, maybe NOT..

The fact that he walked away from her and stayed around and didn't run away, in itself tells me that he wasn't up to any mischief as if he was, he'd have run a mile when he saw her on the phone !!!!

Make your mind up. Was she right to trust her instincts or was he innocent?

What reason did he have to run away? The police aren't going to come racing to the rescue, he didn't break any laws. What he did do was indicate to anyone who is in touch with their instincts that he was dodgy and almost certainly had bad intentions.

It's OK to look at alternative perceptions of events as a sort of philosophical exercise but in real life, in situations like this, it doesn't have a lot of value.

sarah1 · 09-07-2007, 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by gularscute

Make your mind up. Was she right to trust her instincts or was he innocent?

What reason did he have to run away? The police aren't going to come racing to the rescue, he didn't break any laws. What he did do was indicate to anyone who is in touch with their instincts that he was dodgy and almost certainly had bad intentions.

It's OK to look at alternative perceptions of events as a sort of philosophical exercise but in real life, in situations like this, it doesn't have a lot of value.

Please re-read what I wrote will you ??
I wrote that she went with her instincts which was the right thing for HER to do..
She felt a little apprehensive, so ignored him.. Fair enough..

And exactly.. He didn't have any reason to run away which to me shows that he was infact innocent...

Just don't try and tar every fella that is on the phone, who requests someones, (male or female) attention, to be up to no good..
There's not always a need to be wary is there ??

God forbid that a fella you know needs assistance and the only person around is a woman...

Classic Rock · 09-07-2007, 14:14

I think you're a very trusting person sarah1

melthebell · 09-07-2007, 14:27

you did right, he may have had reason to do the things he did but theres alos plenty of strange / dangerous people around too
cant be too careful

sarah1 · 09-07-2007, 14:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Classic Rock

I think you're a very trusting person sarah1

I probably am yes..

I'd rather give someone the benefit of the doubt without first thinking that this person was wanting to harm me..

Sheilabowing · 09-07-2007, 15:23

At night I would probably do the same thing as the OP. That doesnt mean that I would assume that there was any reason not to trust the man but I wouldn't want to assume he was okay when I was in a vulnerable situation.

gravey boat · 09-07-2007, 15:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheilabowing

At night I would probably do the same thing as the OP. That doesnt mean that I would assume that there was any reason not to trust the man but I wouldn't want to assume he was okay when I was in a vulnerable situation.

Think you've put that really well. To be honest, I didn't post in order to spark controversy, just felt a sense of responsibility to help people in S20 be wary. It's up to everyone as an individual to do what they want with that information. I sincerely hope my anxiety was misguided rather than accurate.

pattricia · 09-07-2007, 15:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by gravey boat

Think you've put that really well. To be honest, I didn't post in order to spark controversy, just felt a sense of responsibility to help people in S20 be wary. It's up to everyone as an individual to do what they want with that information. I sincerely hope my anxiety was misguided rather than accurate.

Always follow your instinct , I always say. You did just that.