Why ask?
By arkaf61
@arkaf61 (10881)
Canada
October 1, 2008 10:48pm CST
I was walking on my way home when I saw a lady on the other side of the street. While I watched she crossed the street and asked me “ Do you know Florence? “ I stopped to think. Indeed I know a few florences, but which one did she want? Florence St? Florence the variety store? Or even Florence the lady that babysits? “Which Florence? “ I asked after a few seconds of thought. “Never mind, you don’t know.” And she hurried along giving me hardly time to wish her a good day. No sarcasm meant. It seemed to me that maybe she did need a good day, maybe it would help her to explain herself better next time, or to wait for an answer , maybe.
If she wasn’t going to wait for the answer, then why ask the question?
Did something like this ever happened to you? Have you encountered strange characters lately?
3 people like this
12 responses
@mrsgoodygoody00 (895)
• United States
2 Oct 08
Yeah maybe she was in such a big hurry, that she couldn't wait for the answer. But she should've at least tried to tell you who she was looking for. Was she an older person?? Because they tend to do stuff like a lot. It's not really the same thing, but today our neighbor knocked on the door, and asked if she could use a telephone. See my husband answered the door,not me. This lady did not say hi, how are you, I see you're the new neighbors, or anything. She just straight out asked to use his phone. I was like we don't know hee, she has never spoken but she wants to use our phone?? Please. If that had been me, she would've been flat out DENIED.
2 people like this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
2 Oct 08
I probably would not have answered the door, but did your husband let her in and did she use the phone and was she calling the police or a hospital or just going to prattle? With all respect, I don't know what being an older person has to do with it, though. Sometimes young people have been known to act dippy, too!
1 person likes this
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
27 Oct 08
well i did that sometimes..i mean when i ask some direction because im lost or something..and in a sudden moment i change my mind since i think the person i ask too doesnt know anything and im in a hurry or whatever..but i say thanks and be gone..
@RhythmWalker1 (825)
• United States
3 Oct 08
Arkaf,
Just yesterday my mom and I walked up on this lady "talking to herself"
in a store. When we got near her, she started talking about how she thought
Obama was "of the devil" and Bush had sent America to hell and told us that the White House was getting tired of her phone calls... lol
Well, my mama is not one known to hold back from saying much and asked her who
she came there with. This made this lady do a "pause for the cause" and then my
mama said, "You need to be careful about who you call, people have been known to
come to your rescue with straight jackets"... I had to turn around and cover my mouth to hide my burst of laughter.
So, yes... the strange characters are everywhere these days!
2 people like this
@chaska (170)
• United States
2 Oct 08
Hilarious. I bet that made you scratch your head. I was in the store one day with my yougest daughter that is 2. A complete stranger, a lady, came up to me and said" oh how cute she is". She asked " have you ever thought about putting her in modeling?" I said yeah, maybe. she smiled and walked away. I thought she was going to give me alittle bit more information or suggestions but no.
1 person likes this
@shoeb000 (321)
• India
3 Oct 08
well, as u asked "which florence?" if sumone will not be aware of anything named florence, then he or she will also say what florence or whats that?
the lady took your answer in that way, thats why she claimed that you dont know.. and went away,
you could have asked a little briefly, like.. "Which florence, Florence St? Florence the variety store? or florence the lady? ? ? ?"
2 people like this
@thanujad (405)
• Sri Lanka
2 Oct 08
I think she may have thought that you look farmiliar but she wouldnt have remember how she knows you. Florence may be a friend of hers and she may have wanted to know wether you know her. But later when you asked which one she may have got embarrased and walked away. I sometimes smile with people not sure wether I know that person but when the other party does not smile I feel bad.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
2 Oct 08
Sounds like early stage dementia to me. No I have not had this happen lately, but today when I walked lots of people waved and smiled. It was a friendly day here in my neighborhood, evidently.
@danishcanadian (28955)
• Canada
24 Nov 09
I would have just said "which Florence? I know several!" But I agree her answer was rather abrupt. How did she know you didn't know, because, as you said, you may know many Flornces. There is also Florence Italy, Florence Nightingale, and a lady named Florence that I used to go to church with.
@miaonly (72)
• China
2 Oct 08
Hi,arkaf61, well, recently I am fascinated with HOUSE, you know a excellent FOX series telling stories about some devoted doctors. One of the most direct result of this fascination is that I am becoming more and more sensitive towards various symptoms of potential diseases. Your description of this lady gives me the feeling that she might be in some big trouble, To be more accurate, perhaps she has lost some guy named Florence, who was obviously important for her, and was suffering insanity. And that is why she would ask some strangers some weird question as looks more like asking herself.
So, poor lady, wish her a good day.
1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
2 Oct 08
Hi Arkaf,
What a weird question that popped out of nowhere! 
Off the cuff, I can't think of a similar encounter I have had.
That said, I guess if I was not feeling dense and slow-witted (I tend to be if I am alone outside since I would be absorbed in my own thoughts), I would have tried to clarify with a "What do you mean?" and see how I can perhaps be of some help.
Another thought occurs that the lady might perhaps be senile or mentally challenged. 
Off the cuff, I can't think of a similar encounter I have had.
That said, I guess if I was not feeling dense and slow-witted (I tend to be if I am alone outside since I would be absorbed in my own thoughts), I would have tried to clarify with a "What do you mean?" and see how I can perhaps be of some help.
Another thought occurs that the lady might perhaps be senile or mentally challenged. @drannhh (15219)
• United States
2 Oct 08
Hey, Arka, I think I met that same lady once. It was Florence, Italy she had in mind and had been there on vacation once and missed it so much but could not go back. So she had this bizarre habit of asking anybody she met if they knew Florence and if one of them said "Yes, Florence is a beautiful city!" that would make her day.
1 person likes this
@yshashikant (401)
• India
2 Oct 08
no, nothing like this has ever happened to me before. just can't understand why this lady asked you about florence. maybe since you started thinking for a sec. or two she might have thought that you don't know about here.
she might be in a hurry thats why left without any wishes.
1 person likes this
