Suspicious Behaviour at the Grocery Store; being watchful.

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   SandCastlesposted 11 years ago

   Another grocery store tale: At the grocery store (in the evening) there was a man and a woman shopping together and I immediately got a bad feeling when they passed me. They walked around the store and didn't seem to be buying anything. Then when I went to the till, they were suddenly behind me. The woman stayed to pay for the few items and the man disappeared. I payed and left the store and as I pushed my grocery cart towards my car, I noticed that man standing in the middle of the parking lot smoking a cigarette. He was close to my car. If I put my groceries in the trunk of my car I would have had to turn my back on him; he would have been directly behind me. His presence seemed strange. Why was he waiting there like that? It was a dark night and the parking lot was almost empty. There was a gas station adjacent to the parking lot but only a few people were around and they were focusing on getting gas; they weren't looking over at the grocery store parking lot. I decided to put my groceries in my back seat so I could keep a furtive eye on the man. I noticed he was watching me. And then the woman came out of the store and met the man in the middle of the parking lot and they proceeded to a car that was parked at the far end of the parking lot, near the rear parking lot exit. Why would these people, who were only getting a few items, park so far away from the store, yet not so far from my car (I had parked in the middle of the parking lot). And why would the man stand in the middle of the parking lot to wait for the woman shopping instead of waiting by his own car? Even if he didn't want to smoke in the car, why wasn't he waiting by his car? Who stands in the middle of the parking lot like that? Anybody watching would have thought my car belonged to him or that he was with me. I wondered, why didn't this man wait and walk out with the woman? It wasn't like she had a big order.  Because he needed a smoke that badly that he couldn't wait a few seconds? If  that was the case, why not wait by his own car? In instances like this, one has to question and it is okay to be paranoid in my opinion. I just read about a man who bashed a woman in a parking lot, stole her purse and car keys and took off in her car.

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   Jodahposted 11 years ago

   This is very suspicious behaviour Sandcastles. I would be very wary and wouldn't take any chances. Luckily nothing happened but I suggest you try to shop during the day or on the weekend. If you have to do it at night, have someone else with you.

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      SandCastlesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for your suggestions Jodah. I will also get someone to walk out with me when I'm alone.
      
      In the incident that I read about, the man had attacked the woman during the day. The creeps come out at all hours but I think nighttime attacks are more common because of the lack of visibility (they are hidden by the darkness).  During the day, the crowds and busy activity almost acts like white noise so the creep(s) attack in broad daylight. We do have to be watchful and careful. Thanks again for your comments.

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   darrensurreyposted 11 years ago

   Everyone should be on yellow alert when out and about so you're wise to be cautious. As they say, better safe than sorry.
   
   If the guy stood there for longer because he was waiting for you, just return to the shop and wait until he goes. As I say, better safe than sorry.
   
   I say this as someone who has studied various unarmed combat systems for years.

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      SandCastlesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your comments darrensurrey. That's a good point; never be afraid to turn around and go back into the store. I think I'll start asking for a carry out.

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   CaliMamaposted 11 years ago

   SandCastles,
   I think it's always wise to be cautious - especially, with suspicious people.  I frankly think that "gut feeling" is self-preserving.  I think I would have asked if someone could have helped me to my car, even if you didn't really need the physical assistance.  Being too careful is hardly ever regretful, but not being cautious enough certainly can be a regretful thing.  Take care.
   : ) CaliMama

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      SandCastlesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hi CaliMama, thanks for replying to my forum. I felt guilty about my gut feeling at first because I thought I was being judgmental because the female who was really tall (over 6 feet) was wearing a big, over-sized plaid lumber jacket that made her look intimidating with big army boots and the man was dressed like a ninja and looked slimy, with his greasy hair pulled back into a pony tail, with stubble on is unshaven face. I don't like to judge based on looks but my gut feeling wasn't just about their look; it was about how they were behaving.  It is wise to be cautious. Thanks again.

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