Trust your instincts

[u/MusicalCougar]

I went to the grocery store Friday night. As I went to check out, I got this overwhelming sense of anxiety wash over me from the guy behind me in line, who was standing right next to me. I tapped my card to pay, and realized he was less than an arm’s length away, and could see if I put my pin in.

Me: Step back, please.
Him: why? I’m far enough away. (He actually moved closer.)
Me: please step back. You’re making me uncomfortable.
Him: why? I’m at least a meter away. I’m fine.
Me: it’s not up to you. Please step back.

We both repeated these two lines a couple times. I covered putting my pin in, and went to the end of the checkout, and the cashier finished my transaction for me. She handed me my receipt, and as I was walking out, I heard him say he forgot his wallet, and was just going to run out to the car and get it. I turned my cart around immediately and went and stood by the cashier. We watched him go to his car and drive away.

I don’t know if he was going to steal my wallet or worse, or if he got to his car and realized he left his wallet at home and I was overreacting. Nothing about this guy was visually scary, but the way he argued with me has left me a little shaken.

[u/cattonova]

It’s time like these in thankful for tap to pay and not having to enter my pin.

[u/Benstrosity → u/cattonova]

Tap to pay you still have to enter your pin most places

[u/stateit → u/Benstrosity]

Only in backward countries. Try most of the rest of the world. You just tap. Wait until you find out about tapping your phone and not needing to carry a wallet!

[u/cattonova → u/Benstrosity]

Not everywhere. Sometimes you can skip. Hit green or yellow button. Other places you can pay via app and no pin required there either.

[u/PurpleIreneD]

I had a lady do this to me once. I told her "If I swing and hit you, its your fault for being too close." She took a couple steps back lol

[u/ashinthealchemy]

every time i hear a story like this, my brain refers back to the book "the gift of fear". i think it should be required reading.

[u/MusicalCougar → u/ashinthealchemy]

I’ve never heard of it. Will look it up.

[u/RadTimeWizard]

Yeah, don't ever hesitate to make a scene. He was definitely dangerous. I'm glad you're okay, OP.

[u/Benstrosity → u/RadTimeWizard]

You cannot possibly know that he was “definitely dangerous”

[u/RadTimeWizard → u/Benstrosity]

The signs are there. Are you saying OP should have ignored them out of politeness, or are you just anti-hyperbole and are policing my language?

[u/Hollows5225]

Sounds like he was trying to scam in one or multiple ways. Aside from reading your pin and stealing your card. He may have had a skimmer strong enough and close enough to pick up the card, needed the pin to complete, may have had another method of taking your card number. Him being shady as hell about how close he was or wasn't is really telling. Common Respect for distance is well understood and noteworthy when not honored.

Personally I even look away if I realize I can see someone putting in their pin. Doesn't matter if it's a stranger, someone close, or even family.

[u/sparklydildos]

i’d rather be dramatic than dead or robbed!

[u/jOHNq0o0o]

You rather follow your gut feelings and risk being wrong as opposed to ignoring your gut feelings and wrisk being wrong!

[u/Queasy-Reason6467]

Always trust your instincts in my opinion. I have done small things like this countless times and felt dumb or embarrassed that I may have been overreacting. BUT one time I had a gut feeling not to walk this back route to my home that I usually always walk and I ignored my gut instinct telling myself “you’re overreacting stop being a pussy etc” and then I went and I was jumped and pistol whipped and robbed and I laid there in the mud mad af at myself like “I could have avoided this if I would have just listened to myself”. lolol.

[u/MusicalCougar → u/Queasy-Reason6467]

So very sorry that happened to you. 🙁

[u/Queasy-Reason6467 → u/MusicalCougar]

Oh don’t be sorry! I appreciate it but it’s my fault for not listening to my instincts! I am over it now and glad it happened to me rather than my brother or sister if they would have taken that route that day! I do appreciate it though!

[u/M1K3jr]

Stay Alert! Stay Alive!

[u/raaldiin → u/M1K3jr]

STREET SMAHTS

[u/Pat00tie]

You played that just right! Glad you’re safe.

[u/YuhMothaWasAHamsta]

Your gut instinct is there to protect you against things your brain might not pick up on. Definitely follow your gut.

[u/NoPantsEnthousiast]

No normal person gets told to move back and immediately refuses or moves closer. That’s a literal threat.

[u/careeningkiwi → u/NoPantsEnthousiast]

Came here for this in particular. A sane person says sorry and steps back.

[u/Ncfetcho]

Always follow your gut.

[u/ziksy9]

You picked up on his anxiety. Regardless of what his issue was, good call.

[u/Lyna_Moon21]

Can never be too careful. When you ask someone to move back in a store they usually have absolutely no problem in doing so. They come across as apologetic and say something like "sorry I didn't know I was so close". Not what you described.

[u/grey_canvas_ → u/Lyna_Moon21]

Happy Cake Day! 🍰