I feel bad..

[katesorad]

I was running back up from my car to my apartment, carrying my steno machine bag (which is very heavy right now.. need to clean it out!), and a kid, maybe 11 or 12, who looked like he probably had some issues (not to be judgmental-- he just had his eyes 3/4 of the way closed and was walking funny.. no big deal, just an observation), came up to me and said he had an assignment to talk to 50 friendly and nonviolent people and asked me if I was friendly and nonviolent. Well, I said I'm friendly and not violent at all.. and he stuck his hand out trying to start a conversation/shake my hand. My bag was heavy and I wasn't in the mood for a conversation with a kid who could've just bee trying to sell me magazines (we get those at least twice a week).. so I just said, sorry I really have to be going.

I feel really bad. I wasn't rude or anything; I just wasn't friendly. And I didn't even really think about the issues that he may have until I walked away and it was too late to stop and give him 5 minutes of my time.. but who knows what he wanted. It could've been that he really needed to talk to 50 people (but why out on a busy street near an apartment complex in central San Diego?).. or it could've been that he wanted to sell me some magazines.

I don't know. Did I do the wrong thing?

 

[Liberty Belle]

Did he have any papers or anything with him? I find that a really odd assignment and if it were given out, I would think the teacher would tell them not to approach strangers! I think he may have been selling something, but then if he didn't have any papers...

I think you were fine.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

If you said you were sorry when you declined and didn't just say you cannot talk, then I think you still maintained that friendly component as you handled the situation in a polite and friendly manner.

I understand your hesistation though considering the location you described and trust me I've seen people "play disability" and then "straighten up" perfectly fine when they walk away or you agree to buy something from them. I think it's unfortunate people do that too as it tends to make people more critical of those with true disabilities.

 

[RitaE]

I'm sorry but ---- WHAT????

I can't imagine any legitimate scenario whatsoever that a child with "issues" would be sent out solo to find friendly and non-violent people in an apartment parking lot on a Wednesday morning.

 

[katesorad]

He didn't have any papers with him. I don't know what he was up to, but it just didn't feel right

 

[Pakey]

Instead of feeling bad, I'd feel lucky.

 

[npmommie]

He didn't have any papers with him. I don't know what he was up to, but it just didn't feel right

so why do you feel bad then?
we don't have to be nice to everyone, or go out of our way when we don't want to for everyone.
don't feel bad, feel lucky like pakey said