Am I being paranoid?

[done]

The other day, I am coming home from the store. I have my 7 yr old daughter by my side. I parked in the street and am walking up my driveway.

Some dude approaches me out of the blue, he is dressed REALLY rough, nobody I have seen before, and says "Excuse me, can I talk to you sir?". With my little girl with me, and amount of robberies lately, I am REALLY not appreciative of door to door salesman. Especially one looking like this. So I told him sternly (but not screaming or anything like that) "No." and asked him to remain off my property.

I feel bad that we cannot even talk to someone without feeling threatened. However, with my little girl with me, I am no taking chances. Also, I cannot explain it, but something about the look of this guy. it did not give me a good feeling. I watched him from the window he stopped at specific houses, not all of them and at anyone on the street.

So am I being paranoid, or you guys think you would have done the same thing.

[MALTESE FALCON]

When your family is involved, I don't think you can be too careful. If I were in that same senerio, I probably would have reacted the same way.

I was always taught to help people when I could, however, with all the stories I've been hearing on the news, of people being robbed and or beaten for their money, it's difficult to trust anybody.

Just my opinion.

Falcon

[drmnbig]

You did exactly what you should have.  Even if he'd have robbed you causing no physical harm the emotional trauma to your daughter would have been immense.  I'm always paranoid about people and i'm always watching people and their actions.  Good job!

[roadwarrior]

The only thing I would do different is call the cops!

Our law enforcement (Germantown, TN) responds

immediately to "talk" with suspicious characters, always.

It's about looking out for your family and neighbors.

8-)

[Bass Dude]

Don't even second guess yourself!!!  In this day and age, you can never be too careful, especially with your daughter along side.  I don't even trust people that are well-dressed, if I don't know them!!!  Murderers and robbers seldom look the part.  

[CWB]

You did what had to be done. Agree with R.W. You should have called the cops. In my neighborhood they would have been talking to him by the time I put down the phone.

[Eddie Munster]

You not only acted correctly, you taught your daughter a valuable lesson: AWARENESS. Too often ladies walk around oblivious to their surroundings and don't see the threat until it's too late.

The four words I use to describe my 'paranoia' in protecting my family: Not On My Watch!

I have two teenage daughters (16/14) and until they were about 12 years old, I walked them to the restroom in public places and stayed outside. One time in all those years someone tried walking in after them. A guy working in a movie theatre going in a couple seconds after them to clean/empty trash. I stopped him of course and told him it could wait for closing or get a female to do it. Probably innocent mistake but that one time in 13 years, I was there.

Not On My Watch.....

[key chain bass guy]

The four words I use to describe my 'paranoia' in protecting my family: Not On My Watch!

....

As the father of a 3.5 year old girl, I can see myself using this line many times.  Thank you for this.

[SuskyDude]

Just because you paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you!

That was the right call, anyday.

[BUCKEYEone]

Good call on your part, I would have done the same for sure.  Near where I live a woman was beaten and robbed in her car yesterday after a man walked up to her and asked if she was stuck in the snow...she said no and he belted her and asked for all her money.  I don't trust anybody I don't know, especially if my wife or child are with me

[done]

Well I feel better guys. I was on the fence on calling the cops that day, afterwards I wished I had but then, I grew up in a small town (3 sq miles in size) iN WNY, I was the 4th generation of my family there, everyone knew everyone, and when I was growing up(80's and 90's), we really would not have given a second thought to talking to the guy.

However, I like in a MUCH larger town now, my job has had me travel to NYC, Chicago, Baltimore, Boston, Columbia - SC, Atlanta, and some other large cities and I have grown more distrustfull of people.

Having my daughters (I have 4 of them), and especially when they are with me, ramps up my suspicious nature, and makes me all the more protective.  I guess I am just depressed that we have come to this point where we have to be this proactive.

[roadwarrior]

I live in a safe community immediately adjacent to a sewer.Our safe

haven is a direct result of very aggressive law enforcement.

We pay a high price, but our investment is well worth the cost. All

crime, but especially homicides, in Memphis are among the highest

per capita in the country. Germantown has had one as a result of an

abduction in the last 15 years or so. Technically, that murder was

outside our community.

The key is silent approach, apprehension, prosecution and internment-

no deals! Commit the crime and expect the time. We make it a point

that everyone knows, Germantown is the wrong place to be for bad guys.

>

[BASS fisherman]

At first I was thinking you overreacted.  But when I read the part about you not feeling right about this guy, I instantly related.

I have had several situations where I had a bad gut feeling about someone or a certain situation and the times I didnt do anything, it turned out badly.  

Always, always, ALWAYS follow your gut.  

And oddly enough in this case I would have to agree with RW.  I'd have called the cops.  Something like that you cant be too safe.

I may be even more paranoid than you.  I always pay attention to my surroundings and watch EVERYBODY.  

But then again, I only do what the voices in my head tell me to. ;D

[burleytog]

http://www.ncdoj.com/law_enforcement/cle_handguns.jsp

[skunked_again]

http://www.ncdoj.com/law_enforcement/cle_handguns.jsp

my type of state.

[FishingBuds]

I'd say I would have done the samething but, I also would have called the cops and be talking to my nieghbors about this situation also to see how they felt or if they ran into him as well?

[fishfordollars]

You probably handled it a little better than I would have.

[ripalip]

The way the world is today, I don't blame u one bit. Better to be safe, then sorry.

[IDbasser]

You did good in my book.  You can never be too safe when it comes to your family.  I would be on the look out for him in the neighborhood again, then call the cops.

[justfishin]

Having my child with me I would have asked him to leave. That being said, if I was alone and he needed help I would probably offer my assistance. I refuse to let the world make me a cynic. Yes, I am the guy who will get a meal at a fast food place and give it to a guy who looks like he is down on his luck or give a guy a buck if he looks down and out and asked for it in a parking lot. Stay safe but, if you can, help your fellow man. I won't go into religion in here but, we have to balance compassion, our gut feelings and doing what is right. JMO.

[luger306]

go with your gut it is what will keep you safe if it don't feel right it isn't right.

[done]

FYI...he was back around my neighborhood again today, gave my house a wide berth. This time i called the cops as did 3 other people from my neighborhood. Who knows what he was up to but when the police talked to him, low and behold he had outstanding warrants for fraud and such. Never been caught breaking into some place, but either way, he should no tbe walking round like that, and now he won't be for a bit.

[IDbasser]

Glad to hear the police came and got him.  Maybe he will stay out of your neighborhood now.

[ilovefooffur]

I'd do that same thing.  You can't trust anyone nowadays, especially the way the economy is.  More and more people are out of money so I'm sure crime rate is going to rise.  

[tallydude]

You were perfectly reasonable. When I have my baby son with me I have NO time for strangers. Do not even think about messing with me. I am hyper-protective around my son.