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Woman Avoids A Creepy Stalker By Following Safety Tips She Found On Reddit
Have you ever considered the fact that your post on a social media platform could potentially save somebody else’s life or at least help them get out of a dangerous situation? That’s exactly what recently happened to Reddit user @aggressivelycanadian.
Around a month ago, the woman went on the platform and shared a story about what happened to her while she was at a mall. “I was in a potentially dangerous situation today,” reads the caption of her post. “I knew what to do from a previous post on here, and the comments I read, and I just want to say thank you.”
More info: reddit.com
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“I was in a potentially dangerous situation today,” reads the caption of the woman’s post. “I knew what to do from a previous post on here, and the comments I read”
The woman had gone into a mall to use the bathroom when she noticed a suspicious man following her
It all started when the woman decided to go to the nearby mall in order to use the bathroom before her drive home. As she walked in, she noticed the man that was walking in the opposite direction, but then saw her and turned around. The woman became suspicious and suddenly remembered a comment that she once read on Reddit that advised to never go into a public bathroom when being followed.
Suddenly, she remembered a comment that she once saw on Reddit that advised to never go into a public bathroom when being followed
Then another one crossed her mind, advising her to go into a store that the suspected person would not typically have interest in
As she was walking, she remembered another piece of safety advice suggesting that if you’re not sure if you’re being followed, you should go into a store that the suspected person would not typically have interest in. She noticed a dollhouse store and went inside. The suspicious man followed her.
After realizing that the man was truly following her, the woman called her husband, who was waiting in the car
“With the phone on speaker, I loudly said, ‘I am being followed by the man behind me.'”
The woman then quickly walked back towards the exit of the store and while walking out, she called her husband, who was waiting for her in the car. “The man in the yellow mask turned and matched my pace toward the exit,” the user narrates. She put her phone on speaker and loudly said that she was being followed by the man behind her. After hearing that, her husband got out of the car and came to the mall.
The woman feels incredibly thankful to all the users who decided to share those safety advice she happened across
Here’s how people reacted to the story
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What do you think ?
Johnny 4 years ago
Did you report him to mall security? They almost certainly have cameras at the entrance, and the doll store most likely has them too. Even if he wore a mask, they'd have his body build and know where he likes to stake out potential victims.
Laila Hernandez 4 years ago
Fair point-Im never gonna forget this post-Just in case
Load More Replies...
birdie asf 4 years ago
This is terrifying. What I learned growing up was to engage in conversation with a random person, act like you know them, and basically just hope that they go along with it. This has worked for me, but it revolves so much on the chance that the random person will go along with the situation. Another thing I would recommend is to act like you're on the phone with somebody who is coming to meet you. Whatever you do, keep calm. If they realize you're panicking, they'll pick up on the fact that you're vulnerable, and that'll make you an open target.
AlmightyOne 4 years ago
Do you have any other advice? I'm a teen and terrified of these kinds of things
Load More Replies...
Mimi 4 years ago
I answered this to an answer, but maybe it's helpful for others, too: What I did pretty often is hold my phone to my ear and saying things like: "Yes I am just passing xy (wherever you are), you should see me in a moment, Igor (some very male name)." Depending on the situation I looked a bit around, "what direction are you coming from, honey?" Sometimes I even went on: "Are the dogs with you? Did they behave?" or "How was Training, did you beat the guy up?" When I was a teen I went to self-defence-training and tried to never walk alone in the dark or lonely places. Also helpful is a special women's alarm you can stick to your purse and can set off in a bad situation, they make incredible noise. If there are other people around: go to them, tell them you're being followed / uncomfortable.
Colin Mochrie At Its Finest 4 years ago (edited)
It is sad we have to pretend to have a male counterpart to defend us. Men need to be taught to behave.
Load More Replies...
Gina Beatty 4 years ago
I am glad she was aware enough to be active in her plan. I have learned that often times "crazy" will get you out of a situation. I approached my stalker with a very loud "wtf are you following me for?" And many other expletives. I created a scene and when others noticed, he took off running. Ladies, you have to stand up an reclaim your power. Stay safe out there
Rens 4 years ago
I had a similar incident when I used to walk to and from work; I was a carer, working mostly night shifts. I realised I was being followed (now I'm 6-ft 1 which is tall for a woman but I'm also big frame and I don't look like I'm frightened of anything) I used to wear big heavy boots good for kicking and defending myself. Anyway I realised this man was following me so I turned around and I looked at him in the face and I said in a very loud voice "WTF do you want?" He did such a big double take, almost shocked at having the tables turned on him. He then told me that he wasn't following me, even though I knew he was (I'd taken a few diversions along my route) so I told him to go past, he crossed the road and walked quickly away, looking over his shoulder. Never walk around looking like a victim.
Load More Replies...
fogharty 4 years ago
Everything in the story was told at least three times, did anyone think about editing? There was the reddit post, the direct quote in bold, then the explanatory text repeating the previous two, all throughout the story.
Richard Wilson 4 years ago
Yea, this ruins it. It’s like listening to a PA announcement in a massive parking building or stadium. Pointless
Load More Replies...
Mad Mar 4 years ago
Always be aware of your surrounding. This lady was lucky. She could have also upon seeing the man in the store just went to the back room an told employees while calling her husband too. They could have called security an surely had some cameras to pick him up for authorities to look for. Leaving that store and calling was smart too. Never confront these people as they can dismiss others by saying "you're a couple having a fight an to mind their business".
Yagi-chan 4 years ago
Oh my gosh, so true! There was once a young lady near my apartment on a busy street and I woke up to her loudly arguing with a guy. She was drunk and couldn’t find her car at 2a when the bars closed. SoCal hipster neighborhood. I quickly dressed and walked out with a long heavy MagLight flashlight, shined it on the dude and he said to me, “It’s just my girlfriend and I need to get her home”. So I asked the girl, “Do you know this guy?” and she says, “No”. Well, I told him to get lost and got my car keys, drove her around the neighborhood looking for her car which was a few streets up. Got the things she needed and drove her home (about 10 miles) because she had been drinking. So so so glad they were arguing in front of my place. Never trust someone who claims the potential victim is a known person.
Load More Replies...
April X 4 years ago
This makes me so sad. I'm so depressed about how bad people are. I don't get it why be bad?
Uncommon Boston 4 years ago
Dont expect help from law enforement. A boyfriend assaulted me when we were camping. The local police refused to acknowledge a crime was committed. I had an inch of reports from the park service, and hospital, plus hand shaped bruises. Police officer in charge forbid his staff from helping. Both men and women turned me away from seeing people who could help. At the last possible place to get help, i was turned away. I stood in waiting area sobbed loudly and howled what happened.. Someone was send to help me leave. He read the reports, then took me to the courtroom and talked the judge. I got a restraining order quickly. When my ex was served at work, he lost his job. What if I wasn't strong and confident? If I was afraid to make a fool of myself? Persistent? I knew he would not show up at my front door. He lived two hours away and would never drive in Boston. I had the time to pursue this. What about the women who can't pursue this? It was difficult.
Load More Replies...
Uncommon Boston 4 years ago
Go in a store if one is open, hotel lobbies, churches having services, restaurants. Any public place. Then ask for help.
Load More Replies...
Caroline Driver 4 years ago
Long before mobile phones, I was once followed home after a party, pretty late. I crossed the road a few times to check that he was actually following and not just going in the same direction. I found a kebab shop - those places seem to be open all night and there were several people hanging about. I moved close to them and then just turned and shouted at the top of my voice 'will you just f*** off following me!' So everybody turned to look and he skulked off. I waited a good while there until I was sure he was gone. They don't want other people around.
Sergio Bicerra Descalzi 4 years ago
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Load More Replies... Johnny 4 years ago
Did you report him to mall security? They almost certainly have cameras at the entrance, and the doll store most likely has them too. Even if he wore a mask, they'd have his body build and know where he likes to stake out potential victims.
Laila Hernandez 4 years ago
Fair point-Im never gonna forget this post-Just in case
Load More Replies... birdie asf 4 years ago
This is terrifying. What I learned growing up was to engage in conversation with a random person, act like you know them, and basically just hope that they go along with it. This has worked for me, but it revolves so much on the chance that the random person will go along with the situation. Another thing I would recommend is to act like you're on the phone with somebody who is coming to meet you. Whatever you do, keep calm. If they realize you're panicking, they'll pick up on the fact that you're vulnerable, and that'll make you an open target.
AlmightyOne 4 years ago
Do you have any other advice? I'm a teen and terrified of these kinds of things
Load More Replies... Mimi 4 years ago
I answered this to an answer, but maybe it's helpful for others, too: What I did pretty often is hold my phone to my ear and saying things like: "Yes I am just passing xy (wherever you are), you should see me in a moment, Igor (some very male name)." Depending on the situation I looked a bit around, "what direction are you coming from, honey?" Sometimes I even went on: "Are the dogs with you? Did they behave?" or "How was Training, did you beat the guy up?" When I was a teen I went to self-defence-training and tried to never walk alone in the dark or lonely places. Also helpful is a special women's alarm you can stick to your purse and can set off in a bad situation, they make incredible noise. If there are other people around: go to them, tell them you're being followed / uncomfortable.
Colin Mochrie At Its Finest 4 years ago (edited)
It is sad we have to pretend to have a male counterpart to defend us. Men need to be taught to behave.
Load More Replies... Gina Beatty 4 years ago
I am glad she was aware enough to be active in her plan. I have learned that often times "crazy" will get you out of a situation. I approached my stalker with a very loud "wtf are you following me for?" And many other expletives. I created a scene and when others noticed, he took off running. Ladies, you have to stand up an reclaim your power. Stay safe out there
Rens 4 years ago
I had a similar incident when I used to walk to and from work; I was a carer, working mostly night shifts. I realised I was being followed (now I'm 6-ft 1 which is tall for a woman but I'm also big frame and I don't look like I'm frightened of anything) I used to wear big heavy boots good for kicking and defending myself. Anyway I realised this man was following me so I turned around and I looked at him in the face and I said in a very loud voice "WTF do you want?" He did such a big double take, almost shocked at having the tables turned on him. He then told me that he wasn't following me, even though I knew he was (I'd taken a few diversions along my route) so I told him to go past, he crossed the road and walked quickly away, looking over his shoulder. Never walk around looking like a victim.
Load More Replies... fogharty 4 years ago
Everything in the story was told at least three times, did anyone think about editing? There was the reddit post, the direct quote in bold, then the explanatory text repeating the previous two, all throughout the story.
Richard Wilson 4 years ago
Yea, this ruins it. It’s like listening to a PA announcement in a massive parking building or stadium. Pointless
Load More Replies... Mad Mar 4 years ago
Always be aware of your surrounding. This lady was lucky. She could have also upon seeing the man in the store just went to the back room an told employees while calling her husband too. They could have called security an surely had some cameras to pick him up for authorities to look for. Leaving that store and calling was smart too. Never confront these people as they can dismiss others by saying "you're a couple having a fight an to mind their business".
Yagi-chan 4 years ago
Oh my gosh, so true! There was once a young lady near my apartment on a busy street and I woke up to her loudly arguing with a guy. She was drunk and couldn’t find her car at 2a when the bars closed. SoCal hipster neighborhood. I quickly dressed and walked out with a long heavy MagLight flashlight, shined it on the dude and he said to me, “It’s just my girlfriend and I need to get her home”. So I asked the girl, “Do you know this guy?” and she says, “No”. Well, I told him to get lost and got my car keys, drove her around the neighborhood looking for her car which was a few streets up. Got the things she needed and drove her home (about 10 miles) because she had been drinking. So so so glad they were arguing in front of my place. Never trust someone who claims the potential victim is a known person.
Load More Replies... April X 4 years ago
This makes me so sad. I'm so depressed about how bad people are. I don't get it why be bad?
Uncommon Boston 4 years ago
Dont expect help from law enforement. A boyfriend assaulted me when we were camping. The local police refused to acknowledge a crime was committed. I had an inch of reports from the park service, and hospital, plus hand shaped bruises. Police officer in charge forbid his staff from helping. Both men and women turned me away from seeing people who could help. At the last possible place to get help, i was turned away. I stood in waiting area sobbed loudly and howled what happened.. Someone was send to help me leave. He read the reports, then took me to the courtroom and talked the judge. I got a restraining order quickly. When my ex was served at work, he lost his job. What if I wasn't strong and confident? If I was afraid to make a fool of myself? Persistent? I knew he would not show up at my front door. He lived two hours away and would never drive in Boston. I had the time to pursue this. What about the women who can't pursue this? It was difficult.
Load More Replies... Uncommon Boston 4 years ago
Go in a store if one is open, hotel lobbies, churches having services, restaurants. Any public place. Then ask for help.
Load More Replies... Caroline Driver 4 years ago
Long before mobile phones, I was once followed home after a party, pretty late. I crossed the road a few times to check that he was actually following and not just going in the same direction. I found a kebab shop - those places seem to be open all night and there were several people hanging about. I moved close to them and then just turned and shouted at the top of my voice 'will you just f*** off following me!' So everybody turned to look and he skulked off. I waited a good while there until I was sure he was gone. They don't want other people around.
Sergio Bicerra Descalzi 4 years ago
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Load More Replies...
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