To report being approached by homeless people in supermarket car park

I would definitely report this. The fact he is homeless is largely irrelevant. If any man knocked on your window and demanded to speak to you, it would be concerning. Sadly, women have to protect themselves. I would report it in this way - a man is harassing you rather than a homeless man.

This happened to me at Christmas time and I was with my adult DD. Just got into the car and he came up and knocked on the window. I felt quite intimidated even though he didn't 'do' anything other than invade my space.

I wouldn't have got out of the car if I'd just arrived rather than just leaving.

I would report. Security can move him on.

Yes, I would report it to the security - that’s what they’re there for.

I think it's clear people on here have very different life experiences. We feel fear for different reasons. I go out running alone at night & often pass men doing the same/walking dogs/changing tyres etc. I am ALWAYS wary. I am polite, will talk to someone who stops me looking for directions etc but in reality women always need to be aware that when out alone you are at risk. Any man who would approach a lone female & young child, at night, is worth being wary of & what would the advice be if this woman had been attacked? It would be why did you open the door/window, why didn't you drive away etc. Women are always in the wrong regardless, the OP is NOT at fault yet some people seem determined to tell her she was wrong to be frightened. Probably other women too.

It does put people off shopping in areas where this happens so I think it’s fair enough to complain to the supermarket.

We have a homeless man who does this in the car park of a retail park and he also knocks on the window of the car before you get out. Maybe he has worked out he is more likely to get money that way.

I always feel bad for homeless people and sometimes give them money. If I do I worry about whether I should have and if I don’t I worry about them not getting any money all day! I feel guilty for saying no but actually I don’t want to be hassled for money when I am out shopping especially with the children.

What do you think he wanted to talk to her about? It's very assertive

I don't think this is normal behaviour. It's weird and intimidating.

For anyone who thinks it's normal and OK: when was the last time you watched a complete stranger park a car in a legal space, and then before they had a chance to get out you went over and knocked on their car window and asked (shouting) to talk to them? And didn't take no for an answer?

As previos posters have said: I bet he doesn't do this to men.

Car park is private land owned by supermarket and therefore can be covered by their security. He didn’t just ask a question. He banged on her window, he shouted at her, he wouldn’t take no for an answer. Unacceptable. Supermarket can stop it.

If the car park is managed by a private company, also tell them.

But he’s not shouting at you or banging on your windows like the guy op describes.

... and that's absolutely fine. What is not fine is going up to a car of a lone woman, knocking on the window and shouting.

Most men know that approaching a woman they don't know to ask for anything can be perceived as worrying. If a man has a genuine need to ask for directions, help with something etc he can ask other men or he can ask in the store.

Men approaching strange women should be regarded with scepticism. It is quite likely he intends to intimidate and you are right to avoid him. I would notify the store. If they get a few complaints they might find a way to make their car park feel safer.

If people doing their shopping are feeling intimidated and put off going about their business, regardless of the actual threat posed, that’s not ok.

I would make the supermarket aware. Also tell your local homeless charity that it’s happening. They might intervene by redirecting the people to their services.

He was right at her window. The shouting was therefore not to get her attention. It was likely to be to intimidate or embarrass her into handing over money. The guy likely wouldn’t have treated another man like this. So yes, report him. He shouldn’t be harassing customers in a private car park.

There's a homeless man who spends time outside a local supermarket near me. He's, a lovely young lad who's got paranoid schizophrenia. We give him money, buy him food and stop for a chat, because he's a person enduring a horrific illness on a freezing cold floor.

There but for the grace of god...

No one is saying that she wants to go to an urban area and never have to speak to another human. What a ridiculous extrapolation.

He didn't just ask a question. He went up to a woman in her car, knocked on her window and did not accept the first time she said no. That's intimidating, and it is obvious that he is going to ask for money. He doesn't just want to pass the time of day or have a friendly chat, does he?

For intimidating someone to the extent they aborted their trip.

Most women would feel threatened in that situation and the man needs to access proper support, not ask people for money in car parks. Don’t shame women for feeling threatened - we’re allowed to have feeling and a sense of safety!

To be fair, homeless people can be chaotic individuals and behaviour isn’t always predictable.

And supermarkets can get security to patrol regularly and ask homeless people to leave/ ban them from premises if they approach people.

YANBU to report it, I would.

I think entering an urban area and expecting never to have to speak to another human is a bit unrealistic.

If he'd sworn instead of using the word 'please', or been threatening, there'd be something to report. But he just asked a question.

So I think the suggestion of home delivery is a good option.

This has started to happen around here too. They target the child parking areas.

I recognised one of the men as a member of the organised gang that swarmed the town centre a few years ago.

You were right not to get out of the car. A man with possible criminal affiliations, and almost definite substance abuse problems, is a threat to a woman with young children. They are relying on that to scare you into parting with your money.

Homeless people can approach you anywhere? Not sure there’s a solution as police aren’t gonna hang out In the car park all day. If it’s just the lockers you could leave dd in the car and go alone if she’s old enough.

he didn’t commit a crime, just asked a question.

This. He asked twice, he went away.

We tell women to listen to their gut feeling, you did that and drove away so good for you.

I'm sure OP could get her shopping delivered but that's not exactly an answer to the problem, is it? People should be able to go about their business without being approached like this.