Would this weird you out?

[chicagodisneyfan]

Nope, it would not bother me. But then I am never paranoid.

I have used some of these people for work in the past - snow shovel, digging weeds, washing windows. I like it - saves me from having to call someone, make an appointment etc

And to the OP, please do not take offense, but honestly it kind of makes me sad to read your post. I cannot imagine living where everyone who comes to your door is a potential threat - I would have to move.

 

[esoumyekcim]

Thanks.
At least I'm not alone in being weirded out. Glad to see other people would've been a little suspicious/nervous also.

*edited to add for chicagodisneyfan--I'm sorry you feel that way. But that's just the way the world is today. Or at least that's the way it seems to me. Every strange man could potentially be a threat, esp if you are a woman alone.

 

[PlutosFriend]

My wife is like that -- she thinks she's a magnet for weirdos. Total strangers walk up and start talking to her like they were old friends. Panhandlers always hit her up for cash. Friends and co-workers often talk to her about the most intimate things! I told her she just has a kind face. Maybe that's your "problem"?

Some people seem to attract them more than others, don't they?! I chalk it up to eye contact!

 

[Banshee]

My wife is like that -- she thinks she's a magnet for weirdos. Total strangers walk up and start talking to her like they were old friends. Panhandlers always hit her up for cash. Friends and co-workers often talk to her about the most intimate things! I told her she just has a kind face. Maybe that's your "problem"?

I am like your wife in that sense. I had a woman at the grocery store come up to me and tell me my DS was a beautiful angel from god. Which I agreed to and then she went on to tell me that if I never had sex again he would be a saint??? I just said uh ok and walked away but, very weird she followed us around the store. I agree with pretty much everyone else you have to trust your gut, and there is nothing wrong with beign cautious.

 

[PlutosFriend]

Thanks.
At least I'm not alone in being weirded out. Glad to see other people would've been a little suspicious/nervous also.

Anything can happen in any town, but I tend not to open or go to the door for anyone I don't know. Usually they are selling something and I don't want to deal with it. I got cornered one time when I was in the front yard by a guy selling meat! He would not take NO for an answer. Kept lowering the price etc. I was ready to get ugly. Go away meat boy!!!!!

 

[Chicago526]

And to the OP, please do not take offense, but honestly it kind of makes me sad to read your post. I cannot imagine living where everyone who comes to your door is a potential threat - I would have to move.

You and I posted at the same time so I don't know if you read my previous post. I see you live in Chicago, so I'm assuming you know the area. The murder I spoke of happend in Schaumburg, which has virtually no violent crime. Usually when Schaumburg makes the news it's because someone got muged in the Woodfield Mall parking lot or something. So if it could happen here, it could happen anywhere. I don't blame the OP for being a little freaked out one bit. I'm not flaming you at all, I find it sad myself, just sad in the sense that we have to worry about such things. It didn't used to be that way.

 

[esoumyekcim]

We get that a lot also about our DS, who is blessed with gorgeous olive skin, dark hair and big green eyes. People tell us we are so lucky to have such a cute kid. I usually just laugh and say, "He's not this cute all the time."

 

[PlutosFriend]

I am like your wife in that sense. I had a woman at the grocery store come up to me and tell me my DS was a beautiful angel from god. Which I agreed to and then she went on to tell me that if I never had sex again he would be a saint??? I just said uh ok and walked away but, very weird she followed us around the store. I agree with pretty much everyone else you have to trust your gut, and there is nothing wrong with beign cautious.

Oh my!
I don't know what I would have done. My mouth may have been hanging open!

 

[azgal81]

It wouldn't have weirded me out but I wouldn't have opened the door.

 

[esoumyekcim]

Well, the door was already open in a sense. It's really nice out here right now and when it's like this, I turn off the AC and open the windows/doors. The door-door is open but the storm door with the screen on it is closed/locked.
I mean yeah I could've just closed the door-door and walked away, I suppose. Don't know why I didn't think of that at the time.

 

[mrsltg]

A young man (probably in his late teens, early 20s) just came to my door. He introduced himself as a new neighbor who was looking for yard work, etc to do. Something about him just kind of creeped me out though and I told him I was busy, but thanks for introducing himself.

I don't know why I got such a weird vibe from him but it totally weirded me out. Maybe I got weirded out because DH is at work and I am alone here with the baby (who is napping).

Was I wrong to be a little freaked out or would this have freaked you out too?

No, you were not wrong. If your instincts tell you something there is a reason for it. It may be something you did not consiously process, instead you saw something your sub-conscience processed. You say he appeared surprised when you opened the door. Chances are he wasn't expecting you to be home in which case, why was he at your door?

Good job staying safe.

 

[Tybug]

No, that would not weird me out at all. It's common place where I live for folks to knock on doors to introduce a new business or give a 'hi' we just moved here.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying one shouldn't be cautious but to find every person you don't know to be a threat is a bit much. The world you all describe is not one I want to live in.

 

[Hannathy]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying one shouldn't be cautious but to find every person you don't know to be a threat is a bit much. The world you all describe is not one I want to live in.

Well said, ITA.

 

[esoumyekcim]

Chances are he wasn't expecting you to be home in which case, why was he at your door?

That kind of came to mind, too, after the fact.

 

[mrsltg]

That kind of came to mind, too, after the fact.

Also, if he is a high school student, why isn't he at school? And why is he introducing himself as opposed to his parent(s) coming around? No, to much amiss here. Did you happen to watch him after he left? Did he go to the next house? Did he leave the same direction as he came?

Para-professional opinion - someone is casing your neighborhood.

 

[DISUNC]

No. It wouldnt bother me at all. In fact if you are n NE PA...give him my address & phone #!!

But then again,I usually HUG anyone who comes to my door offering help in cleaning up my mess!

But as another poster said....Pay attention to your gut instincts!

 

[esoumyekcim]

I think right now the schools here are on Spring Break. I've seen a lot of the neighborhood kids around this week during what would normally be school hours, so I think that has to be it.

And I don't know for sure that he WAS a HS student. He COULD"VE been..he looked to be late teens, possibly early twenties.

I did happen to get a glimpse of him as he left..he continued on down the sidewalk as if he were going to my neighbor's house where there is nobody home except DNeighbor's elderly mother (who refuses to answer the door unless she is expecting someone anyway) because they are both at work. Don't know if he continued on after that, as he went out of my sight.

I hope somebody's not casing my neighborhood. That's a scary thought. I wonder if DNeighbor2 (on the other side of DNeighbor) will let me borrow their big scary looking German Shepard who has gone through numerous Schutzhund classes?

 

[Tybug]

Also, if he is a high school student, why isn't he at school? And why is he introducing himself as opposed to his parent(s) coming around? No, to much amiss here. Did you happen to watch him after he left? Did he go to the next house? Did he leave the same direction as he came?

Para-professional opinion - someone is casing your neighborhood.

If he's a senior in HS he could possibly get out early. My DD was done by 1:00 her senior year. And if he's 17, 18 or so I wouldn't expect a parent to be with him.

All that said, still be cautious...

 

[Banshee]

Oh my!
I don't know what I would have done. My mouth may have been hanging open!

Yeah, my jaw pretty much hit the floor! I dont know why some people feel the need to say things like that.

 

[ZuZugal]

Being at home alone with a baby or toddler will also put you in a very "protective" mode instinctively when a stranger enters the scene. Don't second guess yourself. We have our gut-feelings for a reason. Does that mean the boy was doing something wrong or meant you harm? Not necessarily, but you don't know that just by looking at him. Stranger things have happened.

There have been rare occasions when i wouldn't answer the door too. Then again, my DH says I could kick just about anyones you-know-what so strangers at the door don't bother me too much (just let 'em try and see where they get!)