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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Weird encounter with man or am I over thinking

357 replies

Daaaaaaan · 27/01/2017 12:58

This might be long, will try to put all relevant information in so to avoid the dreaded drip feeding...

One or two weeks before Christmas I was in the supermarket as usual on a Wednesday lunchtime straight after school finished with my son. Exited the supermarket to hear an English voice say "oh hi, how are you" in a friendly tone of voice (am expat and while many people here speak English I speak to most of my friends in the local language). I said "oh hello" while thinking "uhmm I don't really think I know you". However he continued saying he knew me from somewhere, had we met before, probably at local pub. I said no I don't drink there.

He told me his Street address then asked why I was shopping in supermarket A when supermarket B was closer to my house (didn't think about this comment until later as tbh I was really just trying to get home to make lunch, I absolutely did not tell him where I lived). He also said he saw me most days last summer and I was always on my own (?! Confused )Looked like I was always off to the beach, did I not work?

Boxing day, receive message in my other folder from this guy saying I popped up on his people you may know list. We have no mutual friends, are not in any of the same Facebook groups and I never "check in" anywhere. So was a bit sceptical. Anyway in the message wishes me merry Christmas, asks me out, gives me his address, phone number and email. I didn't accept the message request and did not reply. So although I have read it he won't know as I've not accepted it ifkwim.

So, Wednesday in supermarket A as usual, and he is there. He tries to make chat but, it's lunchtime and I have a hungry son to feed! Don't give it much thought, it's a local supermarket after all, we live in the same district. Thursday I get on my usual tram to take my son to school and he is on it. Not too weird, but the stop for where he told me he lives is about 3 stops before the one I get on. The next and final stop, it doesn't really go anywhere except the tram depot, my sons school and the long road to the next town.

He starts walking with us asking about Christmas, asks my son about his gifts etc. I'm feeling a bit uneasy and rush my son along while, saying something like "oh well have a nice day etc" he then asks me if I have time for a coffee, rather taken aback I blurted out "sorry no I'm on my way to a job interview" and rushed off.

So, finally (if anyone has got this far) is, aibu to think this all really odd. Mainly the supermarket conversation/knowing where I live/movements/tram thing? The balcony thing, as I say, is most likely unconnected but possibly why I'm feeling more freaked out than should be necessary.

OP posts:
debbs77 · 27/01/2017 17:09

Also get yourself a personal attack alarm! And a codeword for your son, and school. Don't just assume he will only go with the two people you've said!

Chipsahoy · 27/01/2017 17:11

Trust your instincts which are quite clearly screaming at you.
Cctv, police and if you encounter him again, do not be polite.

Stormwhale · 27/01/2017 17:17

Absolutely agree with the advice to stand up to him. A clear "I'm not interested". Next time you see him coming near, put your phone on record. Then you have evidence you have told him to stop.

Daaaaaaan · 27/01/2017 17:17

Will talk to son about code word over the weekend, another good idea, thanks to all who mentioned. I did speak to a local friend and have the name of a department I can go to to record/inform my worries.

Thank you everyone who posted. It's difficult sometimes to see the situation/to make light of it/think you are paranoid/over thinking. It's not great though.

OP posts:
user1478860582 · 27/01/2017 17:30

There is no such thing as coincidence. They are events that are connected, you just haven't worked out how or why.

mya83 · 27/01/2017 17:59

Sounds very scary for you op. As others have said, trust your instincts and record everything.

MinnowAndTheBear · 27/01/2017 18:52

I have also come on here to recommend that you read "The Gift of Fear" by Gavin de Becker. It's about how important it is to listen to the early warning signals.

WellErrr · 27/01/2017 19:25

Very creepy. Agree with oldbag.

PossumInAPearTree · 27/01/2017 19:35

Even if you don't still have the belt you can ask your upstairs neighbours if it was theirs/did they lose one? I would know if I had lost a belt.

Rainbunny · 27/01/2017 19:50

OP trust your instincts (another vote for reading the Gift of Fear). Don't keep this disturbing behaviour secret, tell people you know and let them know you are concerned. TBH I would find his behaviour concerning even without the possible balcony incident. How big is your expat community? Is it possible he got information about you though friends of friends etc...? It seems like he may have been following you. I don't wish to alarm you but I had a stalker some years ago while I was living in Japan so from experience I can advise you not to minimise or brush off strange experiences or uncomfortable encounters.

Despite my warnings, don't panic. Even if the police won't (or can't perhaps if their laws are limited) do anything you have been forewarned which is your weapon.

FixItUpChappie · 27/01/2017 19:54

OP can you put a piece of wood, almost like part of a hockey stick in the inside jam of your balcony door? this is a common way of adding extra security to this type of door where I live - means door cannot be opened enough to get in from the outside. we have similar sticks/wedges in our windows. Can you get a light with motion sensor that comes on if someone was on your balcony at night? Same for any dark paths around? Can you afford to get an alarm system? I would be cautious - certainly extra security can't hurt.

Daaaaaaan · 27/01/2017 19:57

Thanks all. Flat is very secure thankfully, triple deadbolt (think that's what they are called, 3 step lock thing) on front door, and good locks on French doors and windows. Also have shutters which cover the windows and balcony doors, noone is getting in here without a lot of noise!

I don't still have the belt. The belt was a few months before the footprints and when I found it is was freaked a bit. But as said my friends said it probably fell from above, so I left it on my balcony wall for a couple of weeks then binned it.

My biggest worry is he knows where my son goes to school. So will speak to school on Monday. I don't think he's a weird child snatcher but as pp. have said more he's "mummy's friend" and "collects " him, I freak out looking for him and he turns up with him after finding him like some kind of saviour. Totally irrational thoughts, but that's my fear. And I shouldn't even be giving this thought, but there you go.

OP posts:
Doublemint · 27/01/2017 20:02

This is so scary! Op some really good advice here, I've got nothing to add really but I hope you take action protecting your home and reporting when you've seen him etc.

Daaaaaaan · 27/01/2017 20:03

By "giving this thought" I mean things which haven't even happened, like the collecting from school. I think I have a lot to think about and am glad I posted

OP posts:
Doublemint · 27/01/2017 20:04

Go with your gut, horrible things happen to good people and the "saviour with all knowledge" scenario might be giving him/ give him a sick kick. Trust your instincts on this one

massiveknickers · 27/01/2017 20:04

OP, please do not trust your DS to go with only these two other people. I know this sounds awful but you must err on the side of caution. Please speak to the school straight away and tell THEM who your DS is allowed to leave with.

Daaaaaaan · 27/01/2017 20:08

Yes will tell ds teacher the 2 names, one is another teacher at school so that's no problem already. Other I can name and is female so can't be any misunderstanding

OP posts:
Doublemint · 27/01/2017 20:11

If you can take his photo from his Facebook profile I would show it to your neighbours/school/police too

Daaaaaaan · 27/01/2017 20:12

Good idea, was going to block him so he can't even see my profile anymore but will do that before. Ty

OP posts:
Doublemint · 27/01/2017 20:16

Glad I could think of something to help you feel more in control daaaan try not to totally freak out, you're safe in your flat, you can order cctv and that intruder paint stuff on Amazon and when all that arrives and you've reported it to the police I hope you feel better about all this.

jennyfromtheblock1975 · 27/01/2017 20:18

Agree with everyone here - Gift of Fear, definitely tell police, keep a log, change your routine etc. I'd just add that the belt was almost certainly his - given that he mentioned knowing where you live the very first time he spoke to you, he obviously WANTS you to know that he's stalking you. Maybe he likes the idea that you'll feel threatened?

caz323 · 27/01/2017 20:19

Oh Crikey, this post has brought back memories for me. OP, I was stalked a few years ago now and with the so-called benefit of hindsight, I only wish that I wasn't so polite and nice to this person with his unwelcome attention. But it's difficult when it's not your natural disposition! It really is a difficult one - really don't mean to freak you out, Lovely, but just please tell as many friends as you can and make them aware of this scary bloody pest. Please stay safe and keep us posted. X

Daaaaaaan · 27/01/2017 20:22

Will order cctv. Can't do the anti paint because you can actually step over the balcony wall, it's below knee height. I can buy a lot of planters for the wall though, things in big pots. Although my fingers are far from green I'll find something I can keep alive that likes to live in a ceramic pot

OP posts:
stopfuckingshoutingatme · 27/01/2017 20:25

I do not like this at all OP and I feel worried for you . Please make a diary of this and will revert again . Take care Flowers

Daaaaaaan · 27/01/2017 20:25

Sorry this has happened to so many of you. Now I've verbalised it (albeit online) it is pretty freaky

OP posts: