To think this was weird?

[MintyBojingles]

Took DD 18 months out for a walk in the pushchair today, was walking along a footpath that goes along the back of fields and woodlands within a residential area.

Saw a bloke, probably 60-70 years old walking with a dog, smiled as he passed by, and suddenly he stopped, got right up close to DD and produced a my little pony toy that he tried to convince her to take. when she didn't respond he stuck it on the bar that goes across in front of her. All happened so fast I was a bit gobsmacked. Got round the corner and pulled it off, and it had some kind of wrapping right around the hair and another round the tail - makes me think it was brand new.

AIBU to think this is a bit weird or was it just some old dude who found a toy and wanted to give it a home?

[CosyNook]

Weird!

[coffeeisnectar]

That's sweet. Sounds like he had the toy and wanted to find a suitable home for it.

[MamaLazarou]

It is a bit odd, yes. Kind, but odd.

[Sparklycat]

I would be suspicious.

[steff13]

I think he was probably just a nice old man, although I would have preferred that he ask me first before offering it to her. If it was new, I don't really see what harm could have come from it.

My daughter and I were in line at the grocery one day and a kid (17-18 years old, probably) came up and offered her a stuffed unicorn he won in one of those claw machines in the entryway, but he asked me first if it was ok. The cashier said he hangs around there all the time, he just likes to play the claw machine, but he has not need for the stuffed animals he wins, so he always gives them away.

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

I'd look at it as a well meaning gesture but a bit surprising.

[Sparklycat]

Suspicious of why he gave the toy

[ctjoy103]

Suspicious of what? Yes what did you think, your 18month would have walked off with him

[ShatnersBassoon]

It sounds like he found it and wanted to give it to a child. It is a bit weird that he didn't say anything, but there's certainly nothing suspicious about it.

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

A child accompanied by a parent isn't in danger of being abused by a predator with a toy whilst walking on a footpath behind fields.

OP, were you setting the scene that you think he was dodgy?

[HoppingForward]

Maybe he likes kinder egg chocolate nd had a spare toy in his pocket?

[Sprink]

Sounds like he suddenly remembered he had this in his pocket (for whatever reason) and thought "Ooh! What an excellent opportunity to get rid of this tat."

I very much doubt this man lurks in fields waiting with a stash of MLP figurines in order to give them to babies, in front of their mothers.

Unexpected? Yes. Sinister? Doubt it.

[MinecraftyMum]

Nah I think it was probably just a bloke who had a toy and wanted to give it to someone.

Maybe he'd bought it for his granddaughter, gone round to their house and they were out and gave it to your dd spur of the moment on the way back.

Maybe he bought it for his granddaughter and has just argued with his dc so had to leave without giving it.

Maybe he's doing a bootsale tomorrow and this was an unused toy of a family member he'd just visited that he was going to sell, and he decided spur of the moment to give it away.

Lot's of 'genuine' reasons he may have it...unusual but I would accept it in the spirit it seemed to be offered.

[MintyBojingles]

It would have been a lot less weird if he had actually spoken to me or asked me first, and if the toy had so suddenly appeared. I'm not worried - obviously DD won't come to any harm from it, it just seemed odd the way it all happened. If he found it, no big deal. Unlikely that he won it as it wasn't in packaging, and nowhere nearby that you could win something at.

Situation described above where guy won a toy and asked the parents permission I'd have no issue with.

[TwentyCupsOfTea]

I think that's sweet personally

[Runner05]

Sounds like he was just a lonely old man, may have had dementia which would explain why he didn't ask if it was ok.

My mum has dementia and used to sometimes buy toys because she got confused.

I wouldn't be too concerned. Wife it over with disinfectant just in case and then take it as a kindly gesture from someone who may not have anyone else but his dog to be kind to.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Maybe he found it? Usually a lost toy or glove would be left on a garden wall or fence but you were in the middle of a walkway.

Maybe it belonged to his grandchild who was "too old and don't want it now"

Or maybe he was an ageing Brony (this would freak me out , just did a quickie search. WTActualF )

[BillBrysonsBeard]

I was stood outside the supermarket waiting for a lift and holding 20 month old DS, when a guy runs up to us and produces a bouncy ball with a massive grin on his face and hands it to DS. I smiled and said "err thanks!" Then he ran off! I thought it was weird and then berated myself for being so judgey, and then decided it was lovely. (Once I smelled the ball and checked for grime)

[TooOldForGlitter]

A kindly bloke out walking his dog gives a toy to a kid and it's suspicious. World's gone fucking mad.