I’m a young lady I went to the grocery store as my mom was waiting for my sister at the dentist. I was really hungry, so I got some chicken and my favourite pretzels that are covered in chocolate as I was waiting in line for a gentleman in front of me. There was a guy sitting at a table, kinda next to me with an older guy in one of those chair chairs that moves around (don’t know the name).
I look over and he’s staring directly at me. I had that pit in my stomach that something was wrong. That gut feeling every woman knows. He even pointed at me while talking to the older guy. Like wtf leave me alone. As I was waiting in line to check out, he even came into the checkout line. I was in stopped and said hi to me. I didn’t know this man. He was like probably around mid 20s and looked very creepy. I did not say anything. I was almost shaking and practically shitting myself. I didn’t even smile. I just ignored him. I felt a little bad but then I didn’t. I watched him walk away into that little space you get the carts at the beginning of the grocery store. I was still very, very, very uncomfortable so uncomfortable that the cashier could definitely tell it was quiet moved strictly, and looked around on my surroundings. Every chance I could get.
When I finished up, I paid and walked out. He was waiting for me in that little space at the front of the store!! I felt so uncomfortable practically ran out of the store. He followed me. I turned left. He turned right. I ran down the sidewalk turned the corner. I thought I was fine. He wasn’t following me.
I was wrong. He was walking down the back alley. I saw him. I’m like hell no and ran into the dentist. Thought I was safe. I look out the window and the old guy he was with is parked his little chair right there. I sat next to my mom it was quiet with a few ladies around us at waiting area. I’m panicked and start telling mom I was followed by a creepy man she’s telling me to shut up because everyone can hear me. But I didn’t care i tell her the story loudly whispering oops. People give us looks. So AITA for overthinking this and embarrassing my mom?
Definitely NTA. I’m a little concerned that your mom shut you down like that. Sounds scary ans i’m sorry you went through that.
The cashier is a real one but how the hell I am sorry I’m baffled honestly you don’t deserve this no one deserves this
NTA, we woudlnt know whether u were overreacting or not because u manage to escape the situation totally ( well done). But ur mom reaction is highly concerning.
No freaking way! That was a terrifying experience! Of course the rational thing to do is to tell your mom about it. 2 men?? Who cares if other people can hear you? If they are decent people, they would be concerned too.
When I was a young teen, I was at a mall with my cousin. Her mom was with my mom at the mall too and they called to say they would follow us to the shop we were at. Us being silly little teens, we ran and hid behind a rack of clothes and said things like “are they there?” “are they still following us?”. A woman approached us and asked us if we were okay. We explained we were just hiding from our moms and laughed about it. She said she was worried and just did what she’d want someone to do for her kids if they were in that situation.
A good mom would be concerned about their kid and would want them to feel heard and safe. Not to say your mom’s a bad one, but maybe just this case. NTA.
That’s not okay the way your mom reacted. She should have been immediately concerned and gone to investigate/call the cops.
NTA. But your mom sure is.
for real, my mom would’ve been out there beating them up 😭
NTA in the slightest. You managed to escape a potentially dangerous situation, even then the guy followed you to the dentist and was waiting for you to leave the building… please tell me you and your family got home safe…
your mom definitely underreacted, I get not wanting to make a scene in public but this is worth making a little scene over. Idk what that guy’s intentions were but I hope you don’t find out. Stay safe OP
NTA! Always believe your gut champ! It’s evolved to protect you exactly as it did!!!
you definitely should’ve told her and your mom needs some more concern about her daughter being followed by an old man
NTA. And Not Overreacting.
Lemme see if I got this right… A stranger staring at you while you’re in the checkout line approached you and attempted to initiate conversation, then *waits* in the cart bay until you leave and follows you out… Proceeds in a misleading direction to lull you into a false sense of security so that they can get ***into an ALLEYWAY*** and lie in wait until you pass???
And your mother is worried about what people overhearing are going to think?
Jesus Christ! This reads like an episode of Criminal Minds where the old wheelchair bound serial killer is training his ‘replacement’. Except for the dismissive mother part.
I would have hoped that *anyone and everyone* who overhead your situation would have been offering to provide an escort for you, her, and your sister until you were safely in your car.
NTA. Always listen to your instinct. A word of advice, from one woman to another: if you’re in that situation again, don’t leave the store. Walk around until you lose him and don’t go until you’re sure he isn’t around anymore. It may take more time in the end, but it pays to be safe.
I’m sorry your mom discounted your experience, but looking out for your own safety is the most important thing.