Paedophile or lonely man?

[Justheretoaskaquestion91]

Joined specifically just to ask this question as I’m having a bit of an uncomfortable situation and trying to verbalise it/see if I’m being stupid/unreasonable. Every week I was taking my toddler to the same supermarket and always had the same checkout. The checkout man was always very chatty with my toddler and had a niece of a similar age but no children of his own. As such he was advising on where to buy costumes (and suggesting I take photos of my child in costumes and show him). In the end I had a bit of a creepy feeling so avoided him when I went there/anyway shopped online a bit more.

Went back this week (having not been for months) without my child and he was very disappointed by this/said he missed my child and I needed to bring them in again. Also asked after the costume and again asked for photos.

I can’t tell if this is a lonely person without children (30-40 years old) and maybe a few problems and therefore I’m a bit of a bitch because it was harmless, or if this was a paedophile and he was being creepy and I should let the store know. It was just a bit creepy really.

Thank you everyone

He may be just using talking about your child and taking an interest as a way to chat you up. Still a bit creepy but I have seen this before with socially awkward men.

I'm not sure paedophiles ask for photos. Is it not more likely that he's being innocent and may have learning difficulties.

You need to confront people like that and not just ignore it which is why they think they can get away with it.
Simply saying “that’s creepy” is all you have to do

It does sound weird, I would avoid him in the future but it wouldn't be right to report him. He could be someone who has learning needs or there may be another innocent reason.

I would stay away though, find another checkout in the future.

I used to take my dds to the Trafford Centre when they were very little. The number of weirdos in there was unprecedented! This was obvious weirdness and they got away with it because it was so busy. I haven't been back there.