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Traffic warden asking my son lots of questions - does this seem strange

14 replies

melisssa · 04/03/2009 10:11

Yesterday I was waiting outside my local swimming pool on the way to my sons swimming lesson, as my mum was paying for our parking.

A traffic warden was walking past. My ds, who is 6 was starring at the man. He was quite commanding in his smart uniform, he was also very stocky. The man smiled and said hello to my son.

My son said hello and the man asked him the following questions:
"whats your name"
"how old are you?"
"what school do you go to"
"what year are you in?"
"Is this your mummy?"
"wheres your daddy? where does he work"

My son answered these questions in great detail! The whole time I was polietly (but ineffectively) trying to walk away.
He was such a friendly man - I think he was african and has that jovial way about him that was unthreatening. When we did manage to get away he said to ds "you are very smart, may you have a lovely life"

Afterwards in reflection I am a little concerned that he asked so many questions.
Would you treat this as suspisious - my mum wants to ring the council, but I am not sure if this is OTT.

OP posts:
PortAndLemon · 04/03/2009 10:14

He was just being friendly. If you're a traffic warden most people hate you so having someone who wanted to chat (even if it was a 6yo) must have been a refreshing change. Ringing the council because a traffic warden was friendly is certainly OTT.

morningpaper · 04/03/2009 10:14

Well it just sounds like he likes children to me and wanted to talk to your son

OhYouBadBadKitten · 04/03/2009 10:16

I wouldn't worry at all

belgo · 04/03/2009 10:17

he was just being friendly. Some people are friendly. Doesn't mean they have any ulterior motives.

How sqad your mum even suggested ringing the council.

belgo · 04/03/2009 10:17

sad not sqad!

BitOfFun · 04/03/2009 10:19

Of course it's OTT. It may seem a bit odd to you, but there are far more well-meaning and slightly over-friendly (by your standards and culture) people in this world than there are nasty paedo types. It's fair enough to make your son aware of not saying too much to strangers, but he was with you and perfectly safe. It's a shame we have all become so suspicious...what happened to community. That's my view anyway, I think it would be bonkers to get a friendly old fella in trouble with his employers in these difficult times, I don't think he has done a thing wrong.

fryalot · 04/03/2009 10:20

He was being friendly!

There aren't many questions you can ask a small person when small-talking, "where do you go to school" and "how old are you" are about the sum total really.

I think you're worrying unnecessarily.

BitOfFun · 04/03/2009 10:24

I don't mean to sound like I'm having a go at you by the way, just having a bit of a rant about the state of the world (am obviously getting old )

Rubyrubyruby · 04/03/2009 10:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lemontart · 04/03/2009 10:26

Aww, please don?t ring the council. I would rather there were people who smiled and paid children a little bit of attention than just went about in frosty politeness. Sounds like a nice guy to me too

morningpaper · 04/03/2009 10:29

Maybe he was checking out the dad situation because he thought you were a bit tasty?

melisssa · 04/03/2009 10:29

Thanks you guys for your replies.

My mum is extreamly over protective and unforunatly does tend to wind situations up. He did seem very genuinely nice and I agree with whats been said, he probably was trying to give a good impression of traffic wardens and be nice.

I think living around here it is just so unusual for people to be so friendly and ask questions! It is such ashame! I watch too much of the 'crime' and ID channel!

Thanks for your opinions. x

OP posts:
melisssa · 04/03/2009 10:30

lol morning paper! I wish, but the state of me yesterday I doubt it!!

OP posts:
Gemzooks · 04/03/2009 14:43

sounds normal to me and just sad that people don't interact more with each other. There was nothing inappropriate in what he said..

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