If you saw a deranged man approaching you, what will you do?
By charms88
@charms88 (7538)
Philippines
March 5, 2007 7:28pm CST
Will you scream? run? Well, I didn't. As I emerged from a convenience store and going to my car, I saw a man approaching me. When I turned around, there he was about 5 paces away from me. He was filthy to the max, hair that has never seen its daylight and holes can be seen everywhere in his shirt and trouser. I admit I got a little scared at first. But there were many bystanders and the security guard from the convenience store. This deranged man started giving me a live performance of stripping his clothes. First came the shirt followed by the trouser. The next thing he did makes me wonder just how far out of his mind he is. He simply sat down, and took out a thick book from his equally filthy bag. And started reading aloud. The security guard told me that this man aspired to be a lawyer. But he wasn't able to pass the bar examination. Something must have happened that clearly snapped his mind. The guard added that the man is harmless and that his family disowned him many years ago.
I know that its not easy to deal with somebody with a deranged mind. But can you honestly say that you will disowned your own flesh and blood. I would rather placed them in a mental institution than to let them loittering around the street. If you have some similar experiences or ever encountered one, please share it.
4 people like this
13 responses
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
6 Mar 07
This is a very difficult thing for me to respond to. For 3 years I worked at an adult foster care home - all of the residents had mental disabilities of different kinds. Some had been in institutions since they were babies and others didn't until later in life. Either way it was not "home". I did my best to show them love and affection - within proffessional limits and each of them flurished with my attention. I cried when I left the home and still do when I think of the residents because I know they are not getting the love I showed them. I also know a couple of the residents stayed with their families until the families just couldn't care for them any longer. I'm not saying this man should wander the streets but at the same time I don't nessecarily think and intitution is the answer either. I know the residents I cared for would "scare" or make anyone uncomfortable and there were times when I could have been in danger but I also know that for the most part they are kind loving caring people just like you and I.
2 people like this
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
6 Mar 07
You're right faith. I encountered a lot of people like this too but something about this man just want to make me cry. The guard told me that the man can memorize any books he read. We will never know what really happened that triggered this insanity. We can only pray for these people. God bless you.
2 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
6 Mar 07
Yea, the really sad thing is it's harder on the ones who had a "normal" life at one time - now they're not concidered Ok they feel even worse. Most of the ones that were impaired from birth don't know what they are missing so are happy in their own world for the most part- as long as people treat them right.
If this man likes to read maybe someone could help him get a job at the library - even cleaning or something. So he wasn't on the streets but would have access to books. I firmly believe that God puts people like this in our paths for a reason - we just need to listen and learn.
2 people like this
@lovesfreedom (1245)
• United States
6 Mar 07
I feel for this man you speak of. What a sad life without family.
I can't say I had deranged people come at me but I did have men try to grab me twice. The first, I had come out of the department store and he was following me to my car, I turned and warned him to back off but he didn't, he grabbed my left arm and as he tried to trun me around, I came back with a move my husband taught me and ended up breaking the man's jaw.
The second one, I had come out of the 7-11 store...it is a convenience store...I was parked on the side of the building and a man pushed me against the wall...I reached and grabbed his "package" and squeezed as hard as I could, he was begging me to let go and I said I would as soon as the police arrived. I kept my promise and did let go as soon as I saw the police cruiser...it turned out, he was wanted for exposing himself.
2 people like this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
13 Mar 07
No I have not had experience like that and to be honest Charms I would have got scared I have to admit it. I feel sorry for this man though as I agree with you, I could never disown my own Flesh and Blood and it is such a shame as he certainly needs them. It is such a shame that he has been left to fend for himself in that state and I do not know how his Family live with themselves.
@anonymili (3138)
•
14 Mar 07
Well good on you for not running screaming away from the guy you encountered. Luckily he did you no harm.
I was driving down my local high street a couple of years back and parked up my car to post a letter on the other side of the road. As I reached my car door I heard someone shouting, I turned around and saw a young man running towards me down the middle of the road, something in his manner scared me and I quickly got into my car and locked the door, he reached my car and started pounding my bonnet of my car really hard with his fists and shouting abuse at me. I reversed my car and drove around him feeling quite terrified, the look of madness in his eyes was quite scary and I basically got around the corner and parked up and called the police saying that there was a guy who seemed totally out of control attacking cars on the high road. The dents on my car bonnet are still there to this day! I couldn't even understand what he was shouting as it wasn't even in English but the incident left me very shaken for hours.
1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
6 Mar 07
For me, I wouldn't even bother if he is deranged to start with. As long as anyone suspicious comes near me, I will be *suspicious*. I will watch out subtly for any unbecoming gestures and overpower him if need be.
While you were describing that incident, I almost thought he was a flasher. Well, he did flash but he is more of a loony. :(
If he is a loony, then he should be taken care of in a mental hospital. At least for my country, if such people are about, they will be reported and "moved" - for their sakes and ours. I am assumed that the guy you mentioned did not just escape from somewhere. :P
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
6 Mar 07
No, wizard. Singapore and Philippines are different. Based on what my cousin told me, Singapore is 5x cleaner than Philippines. Deranged people, sicko, crazies can be seen all over the country. Our government can't even do something about it.
1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
6 Mar 07
Yes, I know the 2 countries are different. And I've visited Philippines before too...
Anyway. :P
PS.: I have to say that there is something really wrong with myLot at this time of posting. I know you sent me a PM but I can't read it. I tried sending you a message but it didn't get through. Or rather it got through but no trace can be found so I think you didn't get it.
So please stop sending any more messages to me for now because I can't read them. I apologise for messing up your thread but I can't think of any other way of getting to you. :P
@ArsonCuff (3114)
• United States
6 Mar 07
Well then take up a charity cause and get the guy some help rather than just talk about him and pity him. I see all these people trying to fight causes all over the world when usually right in their own neighborhood there is someone they can ACTUALLY help. thanks for sharing
@hellboi (661)
• Philippines
7 Mar 07
Well I do had countless encounters with such people and I am not really scared of them. I just treat them with respect like not making fun of them or utter derogatory remarks at them or with some people that pass by. Although they are not in the position to understand every event well but a little understanding from us who in the first place has the capacity to understand and help them in their fragile situation would greatly help these people. Some of them might be suffering from conditions that may still be treatable under the right medications.
Laslty, when you are family, you don't usually outcast anyone out just to save face. It just shows your immaturity to take things and responsibilities in your hands. Such a coward thing to do.
1 person likes this
@revdauphinee (5703)
• United States
6 Mar 07
If he is bothering people as he obviously is he needs to be picked up by the police and put away somewhere i feel sory for him because he cant be helped on the street!
@ekeson (46)
• Nigeria
6 Mar 07
Obviously, every deranged man knows whathe is doing but what is happening to him is what he doesnt know. though as for me i wouldnt run or scream because of him approaching me he is just a human being like me just is that he s mad.you can see he was reading perfectly but what shows that he is mad is because he was reading loudly
@777777777 (25)
• Romania
6 Mar 07
I would run as fast as i could.You never know what can happen with this type of people.Or in the worst case, i would hit and run.
