How do you react when a stranger approaches you in public?

[Kelly Green]

Every situation is different but I try to avoid being approached or talked to by strangers when I'm outdoors in public. It may be rude but most of the time I ignore them and continue on my way. I'm not a paranoid person just cautious. I know that some of these people are just down on their luck but I have know way of knowing what their true intent is. I'm usually armed but the last thing I want is a situation that could become threatening. When I'm with my wife and a person, or persons, we don't know approaches us, I take her by the hand and we make our way to the nearest store entrance or get back into our car, whichever is closest.

Yesterday there was an incident over in Houston where a man was shot in a Lowe's parking lot in the middle of the afternoon. The victim was approached by a man who asked for gas money. When the victim reached into his pocket to give the man some money the perp shot him.

Suspect asks for gas money, shoots Lowe

 

[Kanewpadle]

I don't worry about it much but I am cautious. If I can see their hands then I will close the gap a little so I can use my hands if I need to. But people don't normally approach me because I always have a pissed off look on my face.

 

[jbull380]

Have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

 

[tops]

I don't worry about it much but I am cautious. But people don't normally approach me because I always have a pissed off look on my face.

Also works for me. Larry

 

[StatesRightist]

I agree, it depends on their posture, manner and most importantly, can I see their hands. I do not mind helping people, but if they get in my personal space or I can't see their hands, it's a problem.

 

[moosedog]

Seeing how most people I pass by or run into in public are strangers, I usually check them out and if we make eye contact long enough, I smile and say "Hi".

 

[DeathGrip]

The way I usually look they want to help me. I carry my little friend in my "Cardboard Concealment Sign". (T.M. goes here).

Custom sizes and personal printing (Cursive at a extra cost, I have to source that out.) are offered by special order.

 

[rags]

The way I usually look they want to help me. I carry my little friend in my "Cardboard Concealment Sign". (T.M. goes here).

Custom sizes and personal printing (Cursive at a extra cost, I have to source that out.) are offered by special order.

WHAT???

 

[arjay]

The last homeless guy that approached me,I handed him my french fries.He acted like I was trying to poison him.Kind of insulting ;-)

 

[sipowicz]

The last homeless guy that approached me,I handed him my french fries.He acted like I was trying to poison him.Kind of insulting ;-)

All the bums around here in Cali are transfat and gluten free. Guess it's catching on elsewhere.

 

[Black_Sheep]

It depends on the strangers body language and the circumstances.

 

[ladder13]

The way I usually look they want to help me.

 

[DeathGrip]

WHAT???

Oh yeah, I'm a professional. Catch me on 441 and Riverland. I'm the one with the most professional signs.

 

[DeathGrip]

If I only had a camera

 

[jlrhiner]

The last homeless guy that approached me,I handed him my french fries.He acted like I was trying to poison him.Kind of insulting ;-)

WOW! What kind of fries were they?

 

[arjay]

McD's of course.Are there any better?

 

[Damn Yankee]

I just tell them to get on the other side of the street that I'm working this side.

 

[Sebago Son]

This used to work.... not so much anymore... "Lo siento, no habla Inglés"... Now I just put some cover between them and me and reply "Samahani, sijui kuzungumza Kiingereza"... as I brisk on by.

 

[COL Jagdog]

I tell them that I am xenophobic and misanthropic if they look intelligent.

If they do not look intelligent, (which is usually the case), I ask them loudly "Can I help you?" as I take a Gracie fighting stance with both hands brought up in front in a parry/punch stance. They take a wide berth at that point.

Seriously, I have very good spatial awareness -- I check them out -- when they ask for money (which is usually the reason for a very close approach) -- I tell them that it is illegal and that I will have the police there in 30 seconds -- works magically.

 

[feralmerril]

I have no problem with it. For one thing on the job for 35 years as a lockheed guard I was habitualy dealing with all types of people all the time. At a young age I was raised in a large country general store. I was dealing with bums to execitives a lot. I have many times dealt with bums and helped them out or insulted them depending on their storys and demeaners probley all in the same day. You get a sense for it. I used to ride with my dad pedaling potatos or watermellons a lot. My mother ran a fruit stand many years and we dealt with complete strangers all the time. I never avoided anybody and had no trouble being either nicer or meaner than them. Usualy I let them lead the act I would follow up with whatever was called for.