New law in CA. Refusing to "high five" crankers at the ATM?

[COL Jagdog]

Went to the ATM; early (6:30) in the morning, while doing errands in the "hell hole" where I shop.

I pulled up and parked, not too many people there; didn't think about any perceived threat, I left my "equalizer" in my backpack, stupid me.

There was a young couple (man/woman) standing near a pickup, as I pulled up the woman came strolling over singing on old, old tune: "I only have eyes for you". I think was the Flamingo's from the 1950's, not sure.

My wallet in my hand, digging out my ATM card: another thoughtless thing to do. She comes up and says, "hey how you doing?" I said OK. She was blocking my path. She then holds up her hands and says give me five…"give me five!"

"I'm in a little bit of a hurry, excuse me please". She then starts a tirade: "YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GIVE ME A HIGH FIVE?" I said: "naw", and tried to move forward. Out of the corner of my eye I see the man looking and waiting. I'm not that big, but big enough to protect myself. Studied Martial Arts, never hit anyone in anger. With my years; I "might" be able to thump them.

She continues screaming, that she was going to call the cops on me. I thought: for what?

The guy finally gets into the truck, she's still screaming about me being a ****** ******* and wouldn't "high five"! "You *** **** ***.

I didn't look back, and continued to the ATM, they finally left. Didn't get the plate, felt no need. No crime really. Unless there is a new law on the books about refusing to "high five"? I live in CA., new laws every other day!


Were they trying to "jack me"? Guess I'll have to try to "look mean" or something.


End of rant.

Good advice from your forum buddies -- we've got your back.

For my part, I'd volunteer to come enroll pro hac vice in the CA bar, and defend you for "failure to render a high five"

"Your honor, my client would have gladly rendered a High Five
but he recently had rotator cuff surgery on his dominant arm and was told by his orthopedist not to overextend his arm -- he might have been able to give a low five, but he did not want to offend Miss Skammer. He has been going to physical therapy every other day as prescribed by his doctor -- but his arm and hand function are still so limited that he cannot even handle his beloved 9 mm pistol. I am embarrassed to reveal on behalf of my client that he has been reduced to carrying and shooting a .25 ACP Baby Browning -- so, your honor, there are mitigating circumstances that mandate an acquittal of my client." "If the hand can't go high
my client gets a bye"

(with some literary leeway borrowed from Johnny Cochran).

End result: You win, Ms Skammer goes away downtrodden

And once again, justice has prevailed.

On a more serious note, I think you handled it perfectly. Kudos are yours.

 

[P&R Fan]

I once had a very strange individual try to shake my hand on the street late at night. I was armed, but did not want a "situation". I thought quick and said "nah, I just sneezed in that hand".
He looked grossed out and walked away.
I chuckled at my originality.
Jim

 

[feralmerril]

I dont know why I am remembering this: Years ago I had a couple that were close friends of mine. "Frank and bonnie". They went to TJ mexico. They went to a store front window and another american couple was also peering in the window. Bonnie had her elbow sticking out. The other woman turned fast and bonnie`s elbow caught her in the short ribs. The woman screamed, YAAAAAA I been stabed!

 

[OLDFED]

Get a Plate Number

You did well. Getting their plate number and calling the police would have been good. You weren't the first victim and won't be the last. If you don't report it...it didn't happen.

 

[snubbyfan]

Some crazy people out there. She might have been just tripping on something and the guy was being entertained by her crazy behavior. Ya never really know sometimes. I always keep my snubby with me. My wife calls it my pocket protector.
I like that line "I'll give you five."

 

[jag312]

I sincerely wish I could make the acquaintance of these two fine upstanding members of the community. It certainly would make my day.

It sort of reminds me of the time three other fine upstanding members of the community tried to mug me in San Francisco.

 

[Ilike9mm]

I once had a very strange individual try to shake my hand on the street late at night. I was armed, but did not want a "situation". I thought quick and said "nah, I just sneezed in that hand".
He looked grossed out and walked away.
I chuckled at my originality.
Jim

What a great idea: If someone wants "contact", sneeze in your hand (honk a lugie) and then offer it to them. Ha ha.

 

[Ilike9mm]

We all need to be aware of our surroundings at all times. It's called situational awareness (discussed before) which simply means keeping our head in the game at all times. Nature is full of examples. Watch birds feeding, or deer. They eat, yet are always alert and on the lookout for predators. We should do no less. And by the way, an old trick for using ATMs, get out your card and put your wallet back in your pocket. Sit in your vehicle and look around before getting out. Stay in the car if things don't look right. If, after waiting a short time, you exit and someone else does the same, don't continue to the ATM. Stop, go back to your car, and wait to see what they do. Never turn your back on anyone and trust your gut, if it doesn't look right it probably isn't (as in nature, predators are always looking for the weak and inattentive).

This incident has made me more aware.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

I believe it was a nuanced attempt at panhandling. She says, "Give me five" and some percentage of people are going to give her a $5 bill. Then if she is nailed for panhandling, she can say she was asking for a HIGH five.

 

[Houdini1953]

The next time you're shopping with your spouse, and perhaps getting bored, try this. Pretend you are a Secret Service Agent and you're assigned to protect her. Good practice for situational awareness and makes the time go by faster. Disclaimer: This doesn't work in the tool department of either Sears or Home Depot. No guy is capable of situational awareness in such places.

Oh there is situational awareness alright but the situation is a great big toystore with all kinds of stuff to play with and do things with, heck leave me alone I will find what I want and also what I need, can a borrow more money, no problem you can get a credit card for Home Depot and Lowes just try to be careful and not fill your house with all kinds of stuff like I am now throwing out. If you need to fix something then alright but 5 drills and saws and several battery packs along with flashlights and bags or cases, be careful

 

[Yiogo]

Steve in VT, gave great advice. Next time retreat to your vehicle, lock the doors and make the call to 911. Predators don't like situational awareness. Yiogo

 

[photoman]

Were they trying to "jack me"?

We will never know. One thing we do know... You failed the test!

Personal and shared space: boundaries

 

[Ironhand]

Sounds like a 'gypsy' tactic to me, usually followed by being robbed either by sleight-of-hand or by force.


Since it was 6:30AM you can pretty much bet that they'd been up all night long, too. 'Tweakers' can be dangerous so hopefully you won't leave your heater in the car ever again.

 

[Neumann]

The whole idea behind shaking hands is to show you are not armed - goes back centuries. If someone grabs your right hand, you can't reach a weapon, even if you have one, without some delay. A similar ploy is to ask for a light (cigarette). You were right to stand off. The circumstances would put me in the "orange alert" mode or higher. When approached with an inappropriate request, I tell them to "move on" - and prepare to take more affirmative action.

 

[CBA44]

The whole idea behind shaking hands is to show you are not armed - goes back centuries. If someone grabs your right hand, you can't reach a weapon, even if you have one, without some delay. A similar ploy is to ask for a light (cigarette). You were right to stand off. The circumstances would put me in the "orange alert" mode or higher. When approached with an inappropriate request, I tell them to "move on" - and prepare to take more affirmative action.

'Hello Newman' Compilation - YouTube

 

[GKC]

I never use outside ATMs. For one thing, not only are you a potential mugging target, but identity thieves can install skimmers on them to steal your info. That is much harder to do on inside ATMs, where someone might see them monkeying with the ATM.

You need to locate several indoor ATMs and use those...around here, most convenience stores have them inside. I also use drive up ATMs at banks. (Ever wondered why there are Braille instructions on a drive up ATM? )

When going into and out of convenience stores, I have seen individuals loitering about, and some of them are panhandling. I ask the clerk to call the police when I see it happening...virtually all cities have laws against that.

 

[JackRipper]

I'm from California. May I ask what city did this happen in?

 

[Chuck1217]

My first thought when reading the OP was- prostitute- and the guy by the car her pimp. But the high-five thing confused me- unless she was making conversation, trying to feel you out. Pretty weird situation, glad it worked out. As for atm's I do the same as others, primarily drive-ups. But I keep an eye on all rear-view mirrors the entire time. Don't like using them in convenience stores, but has been necessary- when I do, you can bet I won't be shaking anyone's hands, high-fiving- thaat's my strong-hand, I may need it.

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

The old fashioned "pigeon drop" well known to old flat foots from the inner cities of America working street crime, confidence operator, pick pocket squads or public morals units (prostitution).

You got lucky...this time. Personal defense begins between the ears and doesn't do much in a backpack or when left home in the sock drawer. Live and learn, don't assume anything. It was 6:30 am....guess the lovely couple you encountered were just early risers? Not. Glad your both safe brother.

Cheers;
Lefty

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I know it isn't normal, but in 34 years of married life, I have used an ATM ONE time, and the wife has used ATMs ZERO times. This greatly lowers the risk of being robbed at one. Banks are on almost every corner, so even if my employer did a direct deposit of payroll, I get cash from a person, not a machine. Or we use a credit or debit card when cash is not the way things are going. I"M SO 20th CENTURY! Think about removing unsafe events from your life, and beside those bank tellers all need their jobs. Ivan