Last week, I was in the grocery store....without kids....at night.
First, I had a lady randomly start talking about food prices to me. No problem....I chatted a minute, and then we both moved on.
Then, a man approached me because we were both wearing a green jacket. He asked me about my Christmas and wanted to tell me about his. He is single...maybe in his 50s...and so right away I realized that this guy probably doesn't have a lot of folks to talk with. So, I prayed....Lord, help me to be friendly to this guy. I chatted with him a little...still guarded, but trying not to be rude. When he asked my name, I declined. I felt a little odd about it, but I told him I don't really give that out to folks I don't know. I was starting to feel like he wasn't realizing where its socially acceptable to draw the line with grocery store chatter...but soon he moved on.
I was on the last aisle, so as I headed to the register, I saw this guy in line. I decided that I didn't want to talk to him anymore, so I shopped a few more aisles...but finally I gave in. He was at the register and I was 2 people back. Since it was night, I decided in my head I'd ask the security guard to watch me walk out. This guy is probably harmless, but for whatever reason I decided I'd feel better this way.
As this guy walked to the door, he stopped and started talking to the security guard. When I was up at the register, he was still there talking to the security guard. OK, now what??? One of the managers was bagging my groceries, so I told him my dilemma, and he offered to walk me out. He said the guy was a regular, but wondered if he had said anything threatening. NO...no at all...he was just a little too friendly.
It's sad that someone being friendly...or obviously lonely...can make a girl nervous. I felt silly getting an escort, but I would still do the same thing. I pray that he finds some people who can reach out to him....but a girl by herself at the grocery store probably shouldn't be one of them.
