I was escorted out of work tonight
@sugarplum9084 (1771)
United States
October 8, 2008 10:16pm CST
Now I work at Walmart, and I have to deal with people all day, but it's hard to deal with people when they are stalking you. A few weeks ago I met an Indian woman and man at work, brother and sister, and we spoke about Indian culture and language and it was a nice bit of small talk, but then they started telling me how beautiful I was and it was a little odd for me to hear that stuff in a position where I have to be professional. So then I left and things were good, but then the man started calling me persistently each day, leaving multiple messages a day telling me to call him, so I ignored all the calls and he stopped calling after a week of just ignoring the calls, so I thought I was pretty clear of them. So tonight (2 weeks later) I go to work and 30 minutes before I had to go I run into them in my department, he was with his sister again, and they were asking me about my schedule and I played stupid and said I did not know it, and she says to him "oh you are so shy, you like her!" So I walked away to hide from them in the fitting room. When it came for me to leave I was sly and got to the back and clocked out, then I went around the perimeter of the store to get out, then I notice multiple Indian men following me (they actually stayed in different parts of the store to keep an eye out for me), and then the next thing I did was slide next to an employee to feel safe, so as we were talking the three men and the sister walk around me like sharks, I was so scared, they would just walk around me repetitively (in circles), so my coworker walked me to the door and management was there as well so the creeps didn't follow me out and see my car, so I was safer.
I am sorry for the length, but what should I do? It really scares me being a young woman getting followed by men and some woman I don't even know. I think I will go to management if I see them again, my life is too good to get kidnapped or killed. How would you handle this? Thank you for your time!
3 people like this
16 responses
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
9 Oct 08
Wow! Maybe you should alert the police. This is very creepy! 
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
9 Oct 08
Have the police talk to them. Have some relative meet you after work. Make sure it is a male relative. They seem to be searching for a wife.
1 person likes this
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
9 Oct 08
I think that I would certainly mention it to your superior and also talk to your Police department. You are describing criminal stalking or harassment. You should certainly not be harassed while at work (or, of course, at any time).
You may find it useful to gather a little evidence first. It seems that you know the phone number of the guy who texted you (how did he get your number?). You have the evidence of your colleagues, too. Can you, perhaps, get names? I would expect these people to be already known to the police, actually. I can't imagine what they are really after but I can understand that it is a very unsettling experience for you.
Try to understand that these people are acting criminally and that it is NOT YOUR FAULT, even if you were nice to them once. It is very common for people to feel that they are partly to blame for bad things that happen to them when it's really not true! Sadly, this is the main reason that rapes and child abuse are not reported as often or as soon as they should be. Do, please, remind yourself constantly that you are not to blame for being friendly in the first instance and that you deserve to be treated with respect and that anyone who harasses or stalks must be stopped by appealing to whatever authority. If they are doing this to you, then it is almost certain that they are doing it to others.
1 person likes this
@sugarplum9084 (1771)
• United States
9 Oct 08
Thanks so much for your reply, I really need them. You are exactly right about the blame thing, I feel like I have to be nice and not do much about it because they are customers, and also I feel like I am leading him on, though I am doing nothing but being victimized in this. Also another thing that makes me feel more bad is that he is of another culture, I know most Indian people are not like this at all, but I feel like he is just not used to the ways of Westernized society, though I know it is much sicker than that, it is crazy to do that to someone. I should feel comfortable in my workplace, not like I have to hide in the fitting room like I did tonight for the last bit of my shift. It makes me mad that someone would disrespect someone in their workplace inhibiting them from doing their job, I should be able to do my job without having to worry about things like this. I do not want to live in fear each time I go to work, wondering if I will be okay when I go out to the parking lot at night.
1 person likes this
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
9 Oct 08
[i]HI sugar,
wow..that is scary! I guess it is ideal for you to report that to the management and they can warn these people that whatever happen to you, they are liable or whatsoever!
If the guy like you then he must respect whatever your decision is not that they will force you to talk and hang out with them or whatever reasons they have while they are doing that to you!
anyway, just be very careful and I guess it will be ideal if you have always someone with you, all the time![/i]
1 person likes this
@3cardmonte (5098)
•
9 Oct 08
you must have been really terrified! they were in the store right?so they will be on the security camera? Make sure that this is kept! If they continue to do this you have every right to inform the police,they may not do anything straightaway but they will be aware of what is going on. If they continue to harass you,see that they are banned from the store.
1 person likes this
@Chevee (5905)
• United States
10 Oct 08
I would definitely call the police in this matter, that is very scary.
Maybe I look at too much TV or listen to the news too much.
So many bad things are happening to people these days I would not take this lightly.
Their actions are very mysterious, and not normal. They are demanding your attention and you have showed them that you are not interested.
No seems not to be in their vocabulary.
Stay Safe and Take Care.
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
9 Oct 08
I think you should go to management now. You did nothing to cause this to happen - most people have ordinary, friendly conversations with others - it is not an invitation to be followed. Did other employees notice that they were following you or that you had to hide in the fitting room?
It is possible that these people have no idea what they are doing, but it is unlikely - you received many messages and ignored them all, you avoided them later in the store - these are clear signals.
@SukiSmiles (1991)
• United States
9 Oct 08
The two people above gave you very good information. Make sure your managers know what is going on. Keep records. I agree you should go to management if they are back in the store and bothering you. You should always have an escort as well. You just don't know what they will do. If you have told them to leave you alone and they are still persistent, you can get a restraining order against them. If you do notice that they are following you, call the police if you have a cell phone. If you don't, drive to the police station.
1 person likes this
@samijo719 (1052)
• United States
9 Oct 08
I would definatly go to managment and the police department! That is a scary situation and this day and age not to be taken lightly! I would file a harrassment report and if it continues get a restraining order! That is so creepy and scary to have so many people following you expecially in your place of work where you should feel safe and not have to worry about issues like this! Always trust your gut!
@celestial052506 (2914)
• Philippines
9 Oct 08
That is pretty scary for a young woman like you!!! amsure they can not harm you when you are still in the vicinity of the store.. but what if they will follow you while you are driving your car? and do something on the way or when you reach home? the best thing for you to do is report them to the police.. Definitely, the police would not take any action unless something had happened. But be sure to report this matter to the management and possibly take pictures of those people who are following you so that when something happen, the police can easily identify them as suspects. yes, take pictures of them.. good luck.
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
9 Oct 08
Sugarplum, when something like this happens, don't ever give them the benefit of the doubt. Always get it on record with management what is happening with you and these people. Tell the police that you are being harrassed/stalked by these people. Some people have bad intentions, and it looks like the man is getting help with other men AND a woman. I can't believe she said what she did about him being shy and liking you! Sounds like a trap to me. It probably has nothing to do with him being Indian. He has problems, and you don't need to get entangled in them. When you go back to work, go directly to your manager and tell him/her what has happened, and to be on the look out for these people in the store and for them to have people watching you and who is watching you. These people need to be caught.
@jazzy007 (10)
• India
9 Oct 08
hey sugarplum,
I am an indian. No sane indian would behave in such a way. These people must be maniacs.
I think you need to take necessary steps to avoid your discomfiture.
You don need to feel sorry for people or be extra kind to people just becausse they are from a different culture. manners are manners.
My advice:- Kick their butt.
@tsallis_1 (98)
• United States
9 Oct 08
Wow, that is so creepy. I mean really creepy. I would talk to the manager and let him/her know what happened. Maybe they can keep a watch out on the security cameras or something. And make sure that every time you leave work you have an escort. EVERY TIME. I would also just be direct and upfront with the creepos. I would just say, "hey, your stalking behavior is really scarring me and i would appreciate it if you no longer speak to, look at, or even think about me. I have informed my manager and i am to alert my supervisor whenever i see you. You are already on the security cameras so you can easily be identified. Now GET LOST!!!!"
Even if you do get an escort out of the store you should still be leery of cars following you. If they are stalking you in the store like you say then they may have a watch out in a car in the parking lot. If you are ever on your way home and you suspect a car is following you make 4 right or left turns in a row and then park for a second. If the car behind you has made all the same turns and then stops behind you, immediately start driving again and go to the police station. I know that will scare them off. And if you can try and get a plate number and the make, model and color of the car. Maybe you should get some pepper spray as well. I hope this helps.
1 person likes this
@syedshoebmehdi (30)
• India
9 Oct 08
May be you are paying for being beutiful, it can also be possible that those people got a devils thought ,end of the day ou was safe that was more important,but i suggest you to let the management know about this, its better to be on a safe side.
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
9 Oct 08
This is really scary, sugarplum9084. You have enough reason to report all of this to management and tell them of your concern. You deserve to feel safe at work. If you have security at your store, management could assign them to these people anytime they came in the store.
Sorry you are going through this. No one deserves this for any reason.
@belk89 (1103)
• Philippines
9 Oct 08
Gosh! that is so scary and if i was in that situation i already freak out. I have experience being stalk before and luckily i outsmart him lol Anyways you have a serious problem here. I guess the best thing to do is never go home all by yourself. Asked somebody to accompany you everytime your going home. And report this incident to the police the next time youll see this people. It is the best thing to do so they will stop following you. For the meantime that your not sure yet just asked for help to your management so they can protect you from your stalker.
