Don't Talk to Strangers
@GardenGerty (160996)
United States
June 17, 2023 7:23am CST
Let me say to start that I work in Marion, Ks. , live in Florence, Ks. and my favorite grocery store is in Newton, Ks. Florence has no stores, Marion has dollar stores and a local grocer. Everyone shops out of town.
So I was in Dillons, in Newton, yesterday evening. I was walking toward produce in the main aisle going across, when a kid excitedly starts talking to me about his experience with the claw machine. He got a few words out then interrupted himself and said "I think I know you from the elementary?" and he was right. I recognized him and that is why I was listening. I asked about his dad, was he there? Yes, he was. His dad is one of our custodial super heroes.
I was glad I was recognized, glad he realized he should not talk to strangers, pleased for his unexpected windfall and also that his dad was just around the corner. Mom was there too. I just do not know her.
Do you talk to strangers? Do you talk to strange kids? I used to have to warn Bob not to talk to strange kids for fear someone would think the worst of him. You know, women can be bad too. Most people do not have bad intentions but we all have to be careful anymore.
So my interactions with this student made me smile most of the evening last night.
10 people like this
10 responses
@wolfgirl569 (108301)
• Marion, Ohio
17 Jun 23
Glad he knew you and felt it was ok because of that
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47693)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
18 Jun 23
I'm sure the student felt good about the encounter, too.
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
17 Jun 23
I"m pretty introverted. I tend to mostly speak when spoken to. I am comfortable with responding, but not with approaching basically.
@RebeccasFarm (90481)
• Arvada, Colorado
17 Jun 23
I understand that..glad you had a good time listening to that kiddo.
@just4him (317277)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
17 Jun 23
I'm glad you knew him and could talk with him and felt good about the encounter.
@LindaOHio (181931)
• United States
18 Jun 23
My husband is super careful around kids. You just never know. I'm glad you knew the young fellow.
@AmbiePam (94045)
• United States
17 Jun 23
Oh, that's a good point. It takes one false accusation to ruin a reputation. I tend to talk to a few strangers, but usually only if there are other people around. If it is a young child I always ask if their parent is around because I feel responsible for them unless I know they are with an adult. I had a three year old follow me around until I just refused to move again until I saw an adult looking for her.
@rebelann (112995)
• El Paso, Texas
17 Jun 23
Are all of these small towns?
It must be so rewarding to come across former students like this.
@DaddyEvil (137695)
• United States
17 Jun 23
As long as the parents are right there and paying attention, I will talk to their kid(s)... I also include the parents in the conversation. (Most of the time I talk to them all in a line while we're waiting for our turn to pay for the things we want to buy... If the parents aren't around, I will answer a kid's questions but make sure I am always in plain sight of other people. Pretty is usually with me when I talk to kids.)
