A Strange Thing Happened

[OceanAnnie]

at the gas pump. I was about ready to pump gas and I see this sweaty man walking my way. I noticed. No big deal. He keeps walking. Okay. I'm standing sideways with the pump in hand and he walks right up to me. I'm thinking, "Do I know this guy? No.". The red alerts are mild but there. I'm thinking okay, he just wants to ask me something. Didn't say a word. He reaches to me, (so I thought) looking straight in my eyes. I'm getting really uncomfortable here. And he looks over and reaches across me and plucks his wallet he left on top of the pump! Whew!!! He said, "Thank God!". I said, "You are really lucky! Glad you found it!". And we both set about our business.

At the time, I never would have guessed that's what he was going to do. Inside I was freaking a little. My gosh. I surprised myself by not freaking out! That guy was really lucky. His wallet was black and blended in with the black facade of the pump. Super lucky. I know he had a pep in his step!

Would you have freaked out? I would've said yes. But somehow I maintained my cool.

 

[jazzielady]

I would have put my keys between my fingers (kind of a modified brass knuckles kind of thing), and asked him if I could help him.

I'm glad it all turned out ok for you.

 

[npmommie]

I probably would have said something as he got closer.
glad it was ok! he is taking a chance though suppose you freaked out and were some kind of ninja black belt, you could have put him on his butt for getting so close in your personal zone

 

[Darsa]

Yep, there's definitely a comfort zone regarding strangers. Once he was inside that I'd definitely go on the defense. While still being polite, of course!

Wow, that guy WAS very lucky!

 

[Heidict]

He should have said something to you as he got closer. I know I have been in a position like that and have said something so as not to scare the person or give them the wrong idea.

If I had been you, I probably would have smiled at him, looked him the eye and asked him if there was anything I could help him with.

He is lucky he didn't get sprayed with gas.

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

The problem with guys is that they don't get that same look women do when they leave a purse behind. There's a distinct look: a cross between panic, hope, and prayer that a woman gets when she comes back to find a purse she's left behind. Guys need that look. It would save many people some serious panic.

 

[Luv2Scrap]

The problem with guys is that they don't get that same look women do when they leave a purse behind. There's a distinct look: a cross between panic, hope, and prayer that a woman gets when she comes back to find a purse she's left behind. Guys need that look. It would save many people some serious panic.

You've got that exactly right! (not that I would know... twice... )

 

[Metsfan520]

The problem with guys is that they don't get that same look women do when they leave a purse behind. There's a distinct look: a cross between panic, hope, and prayer that a woman gets when she comes back to find a purse she's left behind. Guys need that look. It would save many people some serious panic.

You are so right!

OP, I think I would have been scared to death. He is one lucky guy!

 

[Rora]

Oh man, I would've been TERRIFIED. Glad everything was okay and he found his wallet!

 

[OceanAnnie]

Oh man, I would've been TERRIFIED. Glad everything was okay and he found his wallet!

It was kind of funny. I was and I wasn't. Hard to explain. Kind of like when you gasp (inside). One of those hold your breath moments. It happened pretty quickly.

He did kind of chuckle as he was leaving and said something like, "I bet you didn't know what I was going to do.". I almost forgot he said that. It all seemed so surreal. It would've been nice if he had said something, anything beforehand. But all is well.

 

[desamnik]

I would have been nervous/wondering what was about to happen too. He is so lucky to have his wallet back!

I had an incident at the gas station yesterday. The elderly man on the other side pulled up on the wrong side to pump his gas, he got out realized the hose wouldn't reach, got back in his car and backed up. I was wating for the two cars in front of me to finish and I just assumed he was going to go behind me to pump his gas. ( I never looked back ). All of a sudden a white SUV comes towards me, but on the other side and slows to stop, obviousy to pump gas. The elderly man, yells, I turn around and he is backing into the same spot the woman is in. He hits his brakes and yells "YOU S#@$H$%^" that spot is mine! The woman is all apologizing, she didn't know he was going there!

Nice manners on the elderly these days, and I bet he complains about teenagers

 

[mbfqueen]

Nope wouldn't have freaked, cause we don't pump our own gas here in Oregon! lol ..

But yeah it would make me uncomfy .. but after 3 teens who have always tried to scare or make me jump .. I don't really anymore and I probably would have given a grumpy face or something lol .. "the mom look"

 

[C.Ann]

I don't think I would have been frightened until he reached in my direction.. It was just prior to that when he should have said, "Excuse me, but I left something on top of the pump.." - so you would have known what his intentions were..

I'd say he was pretty darn lucky that you weren't the sort to start screaming at the top of your lungs - or worse yet, a "gun totin' mama"....

Glad it turned out to be nothing.. Is your heart back to beating normally now?

 

[Evil Genius]

He would have had a knee to the groin as he was reaching towards me. Glad you and he are okay.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Nope wouldn't have freaked, cause we don't pump our own gas here in Oregon! lol ..

But yeah it would make me uncomfy .. but after 3 teens who have always tried to scare or make me jump .. I don't really anymore and I probably would have given a grumpy face or something lol .. "the mom look"

My DH does that! He'll jump out behind me and yelp, or grab my arm when I'm not expecting it. You'd think I'd get used to those shenanigans, but I jump every time. And I get grumpy about it (because he's laughing so hard and he got me).

I don't think I would have been frightened until he reached in my direction.. It was just prior to that when he should have said, "Excuse me, but I left something on top of the pump.." - so you would have known what his intentions were..

I'd say he was pretty darn lucky that you weren't the sort to start screaming at the top of your lungs - or worse yet, a "gun totin' mama"....

Glad it turned out to be nothing.. Is your heart back to beating normally now?

My heart was beating pretty fast! I was surprised he didn't say anything. He was so close and walked up with such purpose. I did a couple of deep breaths once I got in the vehicle.

He would have had a knee to the groin as he was reaching towards me. Glad you and he are okay.

I thought I would react like that too. I really did. If it had played out any differently I might have. I don't know. I did feel mildly, briefly threatened. Just the space issue and not talking was unnerving.

Thanks for the replies, guys. I laughed at myself after it happened. I need to think fast and get my keys at the ready like a pp mentioned!

 

[NC State]

Poor guy, I'm sure is was sweaty because he was thinking no money, no credit card, SS card and family pictures...all gone. I guess I would upset too. I'm glad nothing happen to you and guy got his wallet.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Poor guy, I'm sure is was sweaty because he was thinking no money, no credit card, SS card and family pictures...all gone. I guess I would upset too. I'm glad nothing happen to you and guy got his wallet.

He was dressed like he had been cutting grass or something. That was the first thing I thought when I saw him.