[–] waxdino 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago (edited ago)
I think A LOT of people have similar stories. Here's mine:
I was about 7. A kid that I'd guess was 10-11 came up to me. I knew all the kids in the neighborhood, he wasn't familiar. He was dressed weird, in a white jumpsuit with studs- think Elvis. And a bowl haircut. He gestured at me to come to him. I shook my head no. He gestured again, never said anything, but tried to convince me to follow him. As I refused, he nervously looked off behind a building, like he was being prompted. I took off running.
I always thought that was weird, and as I got older and learned more, I really think it was an attempt to recruit me using a kid already trapped in it... the way he looked was so odd.
My SO has a stoy, too. Was walking with a friend and a guy pulled up and offered them a ride and a free bike. After they refused and he drove off, a cop pulled up a few minutes later, asking if a guy had offered them a ride. He'd been cruising all day.
[–] GritandGlory ago
I was 5 years old in 1988 and we were on a huge family trip stuck on a layover at JFK airport (NYC) for a few hours. I somehow wondered off alone into a gift shop in the terminal, located by the seating area where my whole fam was waiting at. Out of nowhere this older lady- heavy set with gray curly short hair, a purple mumu-like dress pops up..she got close to me and gasped liked she recognized me ..she said 'honey, come with me I'm your grandmother' I pulled away a few feet ..she repeated herself 'honey, come on lets go..I'm your grandmother come with me". I knew something was off, as I had never seen this lady before so I literally yelled..'you're not my grandmother, she is' and pointed to where my actual grandmother was seated at (now id guesstimate she was seated about 25-30 feet away) and I proceeded to run towards my mom/grandmother to snitch out the old crazy lady...I told my older brother and cousins and they went looking around and she literally disappeared ..as quick as she popped out of nowhere, she left. I remind you all this is the days before TSA and you were able to freely come in and out of airports.
That experience was burned into my memory to the point that I clearly remember it til this day, and every so many years the story is brought up on how I almost got abducted at JFK in the 80s..always warn your kids of strangers in all shapes and ages and genders. You can't trust evil, it hides in plain sight
[–] New_Scrooge ago
Your story interests me because I had an almost identical experience in 1965. Living in Arcadia, Florida, I was walking home from school when a copper colored convertible sedan pulled up next to me. There was only a man in it. He offered candy if I would accept a ride. We were on to the candy from strangers scam, in those days. I ran as fast as my legs would carry me.
[–] Thrulkggls ago
Similar experience at 6; a man in a van tried to lure me and a friend into his van with candy as we were walking home from school past a mall parking lot. Teach your children! Stranger danger! This was a super safe neighborhood in a town known to be "kid-safe" ...
[–] justiceforever ago
Crazy story. Glad you're okay! Maybe get this to r/parenting if you're on reddit? (Although they're kinda anti-strangerdanger there).
[–] think_whatif ago
Your sentiment is admirable and understandable.
However, it's probably not appropriate to pizzagate.
Also, while "stranger danger" is an important lesson to teach the little ones, it should go hand-in-hand with family safety code words:
[–] Julian55 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
Guy tried to take me when I was a senior in high school. I fought back. He got me 3 times with a 7 inch blade, came 1 inch from my heart. Somehow I still walk the earth. That was 21 years ago.