I'm not putting this in AIBU, because my feelings are my feelings. I just want to chat about what just happened when I went to Lidl just now. I live in mainland Europe and popped in to our local branch to get a few things. The security guard was very 'present', marching around. Early 60s maybe. I felt like he was watching me a few times but reminded myself he was just doing his job.
At a certain point, I left my trolley in an aisle so I could quickly run to the other side of the shop to pick up some sweetcorn, as I had forgotten it. I couldn't see any, so went back to my trolley. Over came Mr Security, asking if I needed help. I told him I was looking for sweetcorn, and he made this big show if trying to find it, asking his colleagues where it was and bringing me around the shop to see if it was on different aisles. At that point I felt guilty for having been annoyed with him when he was just a kind man doing his job.
He could tell I'm not local and asked was I Ukrainian. I said no and told him my nationality and then he asked was I married. I instantly felt disappointed, like 'Ah I see. He was just a creep, not a kindly older man. Silly me'. I said yes and he replied something along the lines of 'thats annoying' (literal translation: 'I'm angry'). I said thanks for your help and walked off.
As I was putting my groceries on the belt, the male sales assistant on the til was smirking at someone behind me. I knew it was about me and that he was smirking at the security guard. I turned around and I was right. I paid for my things and left. I didn't say anything. What could I have said? I felt too self conscious.
Not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Just annoying. Someone asked if I was married: hardly sexual assault of the century and nothing to lose sleep over. However it irked me because it changed the tone of the conversation. At first I thought he was a kindly older gentleman and then realised he wasn't looking at me in a fatherly way. I don't know why it annoyed me. I'm not being a 'snowflake' but it struck me that it made me uncomfortable and I cant really pinpoint why exactly.
My husband said its totally inappropriate and I should complain. I don't see the point. Nobody will care but I'm sure I'm not the only woman who would feel a bit...sigh...at this.
Anyone?
Not trying to turn this into a big deal. I'll forget about it. Its just a bit yuck.