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?

[Whatthefreakinwhatnow]

What a world we live in eh

Why must everything be viewed with suspicion?!

DP had a woman staring and muttering under her breath at him yesterday when he was in the park.....DD who is 9 was off playing, but because he was male in a park not obviously with a child, he was viewed with suspicion! It wouldn't even cross my mind, as, you know, parks aren't only for kids ffs!

Sounds like a lovely gesture OP!

[Whycantweallgetalong]

Erm, yes because an old man walking his dog in the woods as OP described must be a paedophile according to you.

[LucyBabs]

Ah yes back in the old days when there were no pedophiles and no sexual abuse.. We're all just paranoid youngsters these days

[TweeBee]

Maybe he'd had a stroke or other neurological damage, or surgery and couldn't speak?

[AgentProvocateur]

Disappointed that no-one's suggested calling the police on 101 and "reporting it just in case". That's the usual MN response to any interaction with a stranger.

[emilybohemia]

Arf, he sounds magic. I love treasures. The thumbs up is very touching. What a lovely character.

[ReginaBlitz]

What someone said about the kinder egg, They are actually doing ponies at the minute so that could be it.

[Footle]

There was an old chap at Manchester Piccadilly station a couple of years ago who sat on a bench with his rather more socially aware friend or minder, with a bag of cheap new teddies that he'd give away to passing children just for the pleasure of it. He gave my small grandchildren one each and they've remembered it as a slightly magical event. He was overjoyed that I was happy for them to accept.
And yes, they know perfectly well that it wouldn't have been all right in other circumstances.

[emilybohemia]

'I remember when mine were babies - seems like a million years ago! it was quite common for an older person to come up to us, give me a smile, give them a tickle under the chin or a hair ruffle, sometimes give them 20p or 50p (score!! ) give me another grin and pootle off. It was something quite normal'

Someone did this to me once, 'for the little 'un.' I was in post baby haze and wish I'd appreciated it more. I think they want to make a connection with someone.

[Whycantweallgetalong]

In the good old days, this is how adults interacted with children. You didn't have to know them or be family, you could just crouch down and start having a conversation with a child and even surprise them with a little gift. Child would happily run off to their mother or father who would wave gratefully at stranger or mouth a, 'thank you' before continuing on their way.

Sadly, those days are gone. The very old, unknowingly, still carry on this tradition to the dismay and horror of the younger generation who are not familiar with this level of interaction and have been raised to be more suspicious and wary of strangers and their intentions.

OP i don't believe he meant any harm, he was just being a nice old man.

[Vedamakesthebesttoast]

arf I'm two glasses of wine in so maybe a little soft but your post about your grandad did make me smile and give me a warm glow, love that he still ruffled your hair and called you duck when you were in your thirties thank you
Haven't read the rest of then thread, just had to post that before I forgot

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

[spanky2]

I think it's weird. I have an anxiety disorder. I'd never walk there again for fear of old men with my little ponies stuffed into their pockets chasing me home.

[BettyBi0]

I'd find it kind of creepy if I'm honest. but I've probably watched too many scary movies where paedophiles and serial killers use tricks to gain the confidence of innocent kids

So he was just wandering around the field backing onto the woods with a brand new my little pony in his pocket in case he bumped into someone who might like it. Hmm....

That said, he was clearly not being a threat to you or your DC. Maybe he was just being nice and liked making little kids happy.

A strange over familiar bloke on a train once insisted on giving my DD (then nearly 1) a key ring. It was really awkward for a few minutes as it was a grubby wooden thing that I didn't want her sticking in her mouth.

[MintyBojingles]

Don't think it was from a kinder egg, was a full sized mlp, unless giant kinder egg?

[WorraLiberty]

It's sad when random acts of kindness are viewed with such suspicion, mostly I suspect because the person was male.

[SalemSaberhagen]

Why big? An elderly man gives a child the toy from his kinder egg, in front of her mother, and goes on his merry way. What on earth is there to be wary about there?

[BigQueenBee]

I would find this odd. We have an neighbour who is regularly visited by the police.
He half shares the reasons for this; usually an exes kids have made accusations, yeah right!
He always produces sweeties for children. Often things live love hearts.
You are right to be wary.