To be pretty concerned by this?

[thaimoon]

On holiday in a seaside resort with DH and DD (nearly 2).

Found a quieter part of the beach and I was just wondering in and out of the sea with DD who was pottering and filling her bucket/picking up shells etc.

DH (who was swimming a bit further out) nodded to the shore where I saw a man, about 35-40, on his own, dressed in jeans and a jumper (not at all holiday clothes) just standing and staring at us.

He was standing pretty close to us- just standing and smiling. There was something about the way he just stood and looked though, that made me feel it was not quite right. Can't quite put it into words except to say it didn't feel like he was looking for a conversation, and it certainly didn't feel natural to wave and smile back.

He just stood until DH came a little closer to me and DD and then he walked off.
We watched him and he kept looking back over his shoulder until he went into a house along the shore line (still very close to the beach).

Then we spotted him a few mins later lurking in the shade of the porch in the house and just staring at us.

We thought it was weird behaviour and a little unsettling but continued what we had been doing until I saw him come back out, walk in the other direction along the beach, call someone on his phone and then point at us. Well, that was it for us and we got up and left.

But- AIBU to think that was very strange?! I've been trying to think of what it could have all been about and can't come up with anything (well I admit I've thought of a few pretty sinister things but know those would be rare).

I feel for you. I live about 10 miles from Jaywick, it truly is the armpit of the UK. I don’t blame you for wanting to go home. No local would want to step foot on Jaywick soil! Like you say, it’s a shame as the beach is actually really nice.

They way I see it OP, if the man made you feel uncomfortable then you did the right thing in leaving. Always trust your gut instinct, whether right or wrong.

There are odd people about. There was a man yesterday who stared at me and my teen daughter for ages, in fact, he was twisting his head around as he walked along, he was very odd and not in a leery way, we were out for a walk. It definitely wasn't a normal glance or interaction. I don't think in the main anything is going to happen in these situations, but there are some strange people about. As long as you just ignore them, keep yourself safe, I don't know really what you can do. No need to abandon your holiday or report anyone, he was just standing about, but some people's body language or staring isn't within normal bounds and it's fine to be aware of this and move away from them calmly but quickly, that's what I do anyway. I also occasionally travel on the bus and there's some slightly odd people on there as well, but if I don't feel threatened, it doesn't bother me if someone isn't quite your straight down the line person.

Oh, excuse me. I mistook this place for a public chat forum.
You've clearly mistaken it for something else too 😂