I was just sitting at the mall taking a break from mall walking. A man walked over to me when I wasn’t even looking up. He said "I haven’t seen you here before. " I said I wasn’t really here to talk to people and got up and walked away. He said he would leave, he may even have said sorry. I said I was ready to leave anyway. In retrospect I think he may have just been slightly mentally challenged so I wish I had been a little softer, he did not turn out to be aggressive. Looking for suggestions on something still clear and firm but more polite? This scared me for some reason, I think how fast he walked up and sat down near me.

Editing to add a key detail, he sat down close to me which is probably what made me more nervous than I would have otherwise been. I appreciate all the thoughtful feedback I’ve gotten and interesting discussion.

  • actionjbone@sh.itjust.works
    1·
    4 days ago

    Fascinating how I’m getting just as many upvotes as downvotes.

    Keep on down-voting me! Downvotes are public - and you are outing yourself as part of the problem.

    • antianarchist@sopuli.xyz
      2·
      4 days ago

      Oh and blatantly judging men is somehow not part of the problem? Sure buddy.

      I simply don’t like they way you categorize people based on gender. You are part of the shit gender wars. Most stupid thing ever to do and just a waste of air.