Man approached me on street - WIBU to be suspicious?

[Luckysaintd]

I’m single, late twenties, and have always been shy. It’s mostly as I’m insecure about my appearance, and it doesn’t help that I live in London where there are so many stunning women. I’ve become more self conscious since living here as I feel way below average. I’m in shape and know how to do my makeup but doubt it counts for much here. I think the prettiest women from my small hometown would be deemed ‘average’ here as standards are so high. Due to this, if an attractive guy happens to go out of his way to show interest in me I’m extremely paranoid it’s a prank or scam.

Like others I’m not a huge fan of dating apps, but truthfully it’s the most feasible way I can get a chance to go on a date. I’m less suspicious if I get asked out online because maybe it’s my profile or interests that have swayed a guy. Also it’s ‘easier’ for a guy to ask someone out on an app, they already know you’re single and swiped for them.

Anyway sorry for ramble, finally moving on… When walking home yesterday evening, I walked past a stranger who was talking on the phone. He was handsome, similar age and seemed quite posh. Surely I’m not the only nosey one who wonders what a strangers life is like, especially when you overhear their conversation. 😂

I didn’t think he would have noticed me, but after walking past him I had just turned my head to look back. He had turned his head to look back at the same time - was so embarrassed he ‘caught’ me staring. He then asked for my number, and I was so confused and suspicious.
The guy then presumed I didn’t speak English well because I awkwardly froze so tried asking in broken Spanish (big Latin community in this area).I just awkwardly said sorry I have to go then quickly walked off.
It’s only when reflecting, I thought what if he genuinely was interested but my paranoia just ruined it. A few friends of mine have had ‘meet cutes’ but it makes more sense for them as they’re really attractive.

I had a slightly similar experience a few months ago when a guy had stopped me to ask for directions, then admitted he wanted an excuse to speak to me and commented on my appearance. Again, I was too suspicious as he looked ‘normal’ and better looking than me, so why would he be interested. I made an excuse about having to rush off.

Was I sensible to be wary? Both men seemed ‘safe’ otherwise - obviously you can’t be 100% sure, but then the same could be said about men you meet online.

Aware this shows how sad and single I am, that I’m still thinking of a stranger I encountered yesterday. 😅

I wouldn’t give my number to some random on the street. I would assume it was one of those pickup artists having a go or a distraction technique for a pickpocket. But I’m a big bitch and naturally suspicious of everyone.

The first one obviously thought he's spotted an opportunity in that moment you had.

Tbh I would be annoyed with the 2nd one.

My DD met her boyfriend because he approached her in the street in London.

Sorry OP but I got distracted by you bringing the expression " meet cutes" into your post.
Never ever heard this before, thank goodness.
Hopefully will never come across it again.

Haha sorry about that, I do sound cringe - it’s just I see people use it on social media and thought it’s easiest way to describe it

I think it sounds as though you have such a low opinion of yourself, you wouldn't accept an approach from anyone.
Honestly I have lived in London my whole life, and I really don't think people are better looking here than anywhere else! There is the full range. And in any case different people find different people attractive.
In the old days, people met their partners by chatting to them in the bus queue whatever. People seem paranoid to speak to anyone face to face these days.

Get some counselling to boost your self esteem.

People I London are no better looking than anywhere else!

Aww that’s sweet!
I went to a colleagues wedding this year, and her now husband had approached her on the street too

I couldn't live in London, sounds like it makes you paranoid.

I don't think most of the 7 million of us that live here have the same view as the OP.

Meet cute is a legit expression - from films.

How times have changed ,this is how you met people years ago

Yeah we know, doesn't make me not want to vomit though

Kindly OP, perhaps you need to start thinking about how you can improve your own sense of worth and self-esteem. If any man approaches you at the moment, you are immediately suspicious of his motives - not due to his behaviour, but because you don't think you are attractive enough for him and he can't possibly be interested in you, so you think he must have some ulterior motive.

Aside from that, I would be fairly wary of being approached by any random stranger in London.

Men are not really that selective at all when cold approaching women. They maybe looking for short term fling or casual relationship.

I think that's really sad. Your face is average is what I guess you're saying but you are in your 20s and slim, when it's a sick prank they approach someone much older or sorry to say quite overweight.
Central London seems to have stunning women because lots of time it's tourists dressed to the 9 or they are rich and can afford all the beauty tweeks.

I think a meet cute would be more than asking for your number, it would be something like taking eachothers coffee order because you're both Alex and both drink soy matcha or something.

Lastly I often see average women with gorgeous men. Just because a man is handsome doesn't mean his taste in women is extraordinary and just because a man is unattractive doesn't mean he is humble and only goes for his league equal so I wouldn't assume. In fact the most shallow and picky are often the unattractive men.

I think you need to build your self esteem up and stop watching prank stuff on social media.

You are probably being too harsh on yourself. Also, I've been on Reddit for a while and I've gained an insight into men's lives and it seems to be generally harder for them than for us to meet someone

I wouldn't trust any man,who pesters women in the street. Decent men don't do that.

it's easier to troll and prank online snd on apps than face to face. Guys who have the ball to ask a random woman for her number do this a lot..it's different if you got chatting first but to just walk up and ask, he is cocky and has experience doing this.

You sound very insecure... I've never thought London to have a particularly large share of pretty people (in fact a lot of people look very run-down). Maybe in the posh bits but even there it's a very "well turned out" sort of artificial attractiveness which isn't everyone's cup of tea.

I wouldn't give my number to a man in the street, no. And I'm trying to think where in London someone would feel the need to attempt to communicate in 'broken spanish' by default. In London to assume you know what nationality someone is apart from English would mostly make you look extremely foolish.
I think you should just forget it.
I also think you should see a counsellor about your self esteem. And stop obsessing over other women's level of attractiveness. There are about ten million people in London. Of course you're not more attractive than most of them. Nobody is.

I am nothing to look at and slightly overweight, had some really good looking girlfriends over the years, my really good looking mate couldn’t understand it!

He seemed totally unaware that women are Human and all he had to go was treat them as an equal and enjoy their company/have a good laugh. It either gelled or it didn’t,It isn't rocket science but he never seemed to master it!.

Don't worry about how you appear to others, If someone asks for your number you appear good to them!. Creeps and shits excepted of course.

I except for all the people on here for whom that's how they met their now dh

OP meant kindly, you have a weird view on women in London.

They really are a mixed bag. It's a big population. Some areas are more attractive than others but it's usually down to being fit and wearing makeup. Both of which you can do