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Original poster

Sad encounter

30 replies

VittysCardigan · 06/10/2023 01:06

Been out for drinks with friends this eve. Walking through High St for a cab (alone) young lad on bike stopped me & asked for a hug. I was naturally v wary. Told him it was a strange request. Turns out he was only 18, Turkish & i reminded him of his mum. Has little contact with her & has been here since he was 14. He is living at ymca & at local college studying engineering. Didn't ask for anything other than a hug, chatted to him for about 10 mins, advised speaking to college Councillor & gp as he seemed so low. There was no bad vibes to this at all. No trying to get anything from me in the way of money or anything else. Tried to advise & boost him. Not sure why i'm posting. Just hope someone would talk to my DS in the same way i guess.

OP posts:
KievLoverTwo · 06/10/2023 03:46

I am sure you made his day OP.

Dizzybelle · 06/10/2023 04:06

What? You, a woman, were walking alone, late at night, and random man on a bike stopped you for a hug, because he reminded you of his mum? That’s sounds like it’s very much made up and a weird randything to do and say, and very inappropriate, potentially dangerous.

WereYouListeningToTheDudesStory · 06/10/2023 04:09

Oh bless his heart. I hope he gets to see his mum soon.

NotaCoolMum · 06/10/2023 04:12

@Dizzybelle oh do shut up.

@VittysCardigan I think it’s lovely- I’d hope someone would do that for my DS too 💕

Dizzybelle · 06/10/2023 04:13

Dizzybelle · 06/10/2023 04:06

What? You, a woman, were walking alone, late at night, and random man on a bike stopped you for a hug, because he reminded you of his mum? That’s sounds like it’s very much made up and a weird randything to do and say, and very inappropriate, potentially dangerous.

Random not randything.

NeedTheSeaside · 06/10/2023 04:17

@VittysCardigan

that was sweet of you. I'm glad a hug was all he wanted.

@Dizzybelle

technically a man, but in reality still a boy.

Dizzybelle · 06/10/2023 04:18

NotaCoolMum · 06/10/2023 04:12

@Dizzybelle oh do shut up.

@VittysCardigan I think it’s lovely- I’d hope someone would do that for my DS too 💕

Please don’t tell people to shut up if you don’t agree with them.

MariaLuna · 06/10/2023 04:21

I don't hug strange men even "if I remind them of their mum".

FFS. Leave me to walk home in peace.

What was that Julia Roberts saying again?

We women are not men's therapists or something.

NotaCoolMum · 06/10/2023 04:24

@Dizzybelle ok. Shhhhhhhhhhh please.

Kaill · 06/10/2023 05:34

I would have assumed he was making an excuse to get close enough to pick my pocket. Either that or he was a perv. Don’t let randoms touch you OP, it’s never for a good reason.

determinedtomakethiswork · 06/10/2023 05:38

This is really weird. Literally nobody asks to hug a complete stranger, walking down the street because they remind them of their mum.

Poontangle · 06/10/2023 05:39

Have you checked your pockets, OP?

Bloomingmagnolia · 06/10/2023 06:42

Odd. I have a lot of sympathy for people who are struggling, but you wouldn’t be able to pay me to hug a totally random guy who asked for a hug. Everything else you did to help was kind.

MyCircumference · 06/10/2023 06:44

i would think of pick pockets too and i wouldnt do it

SUCkythings · 06/10/2023 06:47

That’s really sad OP. I know a lot of people are struggling now. I work with young people and I try to be mindful that they might be going through things and be positive and uplifting. Young people are human beings too. I’ve found I get 10x better results from kindness, support and giving them the skills they need than from telling off.

wandawaves · 06/10/2023 06:48

Dizzybelle · 06/10/2023 04:13

Random not randything.

Show quote history

Great typo, because actually, my first thought was that it was a randy thing to do.

autiebooklover · 06/10/2023 06:56

He sounds vulnerable but could have been a con.

HernesEgg · 06/10/2023 06:57

Have better boundaries, OP. You’re not passing strangers’ therapist.

AuntieMarys · 06/10/2023 07:03

Thats more than I would do

AlwaysPrettyOnTheInside · 06/10/2023 07:04

Did he pick your pockets op?

decionsdecisions62 · 06/10/2023 07:10

Answer A: He was probably homesick and stuck in this country full of frosties where we regard everyone with mistrust and ill intentions.
Answer B: He was probably a rapist don't even engage.

🤷‍♀️

Original poster
VittysCardigan · 06/10/2023 07:41

It was in a very public place with other people around. I didn't immediately hug him, i talked to him first. No, my pockets were not picked.

OP posts:
StowOnTheWold · 06/10/2023 07:48

I am most surprised that 'randything' is a legitimate word on smart phones.

Morechocmorechoc · 06/10/2023 07:50

I would say pick pocket too. You're very lucky if nothing was taken etc. I would really not be doing that in the future, most people who stop you are not innocent. Sadly that's the world we live in

Poontangle · 06/10/2023 07:55

He was very lucky in his choice of 'mumalike'. A lot of very motherly looking women would have maced him.