why does the world hate me?

Kreeli · Jan 24, 2003

i drove to a grocery store that carries pre-roasted potatoes; our local market doesn't have them. the kids like them. 
i also picked up some soy milk and bread and bananas. 
while i was struggling to get the kids in the car, and the groceries in the trunk, all while trying to make sure the cart didn't roll away, a man approached me. the parking lot was dark, and the cars that i had parked between had both left while i was in the store. "excuse me," he said. 
"yes?" 
"i need some change for bus fare," he said, "do you have any?" 
"no," i said, honestly. 
"you just came out of the store, and you don't have any change?" 
laurel was wriggling in my arms as i tried to get her into her car seat, and liam was hollering about his seatbelt in the back seat. 
"no, i don't," i said. i'd used my debit card to pay for the stuff. 
"you'll have a quarter when you return the cart. can i have that?" 
"no," i said, "i'm sorry. but i have two kids and not a lot of money right now, and i need that quarter myself." 
i had laurel strapped in and was going to load the groceries in the car, so i walked around the back, expecting the guy to leave but he didn't. 
"**** you!" he said. 
"excuse me?" 
"**** you! you could live without that quarter and i'm on the ****ing streets!" 
"i'm very sorry for your situation, and believe me, if i had the money to spare i..." 
then he smashed his fist against my windshield and kicked the door on the passengers side. "**** you, lady!" he yelled. his face was a snarl. 
i threw the groceries in the trunk and jumped in the driver's seat while he stood there swearing at me and hitting the car. liam and laurel had both started crying in fear. 
he got the quarter out of the cart. 
****ing *******. 
i want to go to bed for a month.

VealPrincess · Jan 24, 2003

oh kreeli- I am glad that you or your children weren't hurt- physically at least. 
I hope your luck turns around soon!

Michael · Jan 24, 2003

Did you call the police? 
Things are bound to get better. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

">

RedStarJedi · Jan 24, 2003

We're sorry to hear that someone felt the need to treat such a great person so horribly. We are glad that you and the kids are ok. 
Red and Seadolphin

Robert · Jan 24, 2003

Wow, you're having just a real **** week. On the bright side, both you and the kids are okay. Things can only go up form here I suppose.

LadyFaile · Jan 24, 2003

yeah that's pretty scary. just a guy approaching you and your kids in a dark parking lot is enough to freak most people out, and that guy proves why. 
some people are just messed up in the head. glad you're all ok. but i'm with Michael, report him to the cops, he probably hangs around that parking lot all the time and who knows what he might do to the next person who turns him down.

mushroom · Jan 24, 2003

That is really awful! I would have been so scared...especially since your children were with you. 
I usually give the homeless a couple of bucks, but I have never had anyone ASK me for money - they just have signs. 
I am glad that you jumped into your car with your kids, because he sounds like a violent jerk and he could have really hurt you. 
I would report the incident to the store manager and to the police. 
I hope your troubles are over now.

RedStarJedi · Jan 24, 2003

we love you Kreeli <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

">

spud · Jan 24, 2003

I wish you'd run over his ****ing foot on the way out. If the parking lot is in anyway related to the store I'd tell them about it too, they should have staff outside collecting carts and seeing off hustlers bullying women with little kids. I hope the quarter choked him, and I hope he gets run over by a bus... right now.

soilman · Jan 24, 2003

"i want to go to bed for a month." 
Not an unusual response. However I've found that "avoidance-sleep" causes depression. I don't think I'm the only one.

GhostUser · Jan 24, 2003

Wow....what balls! Too bad your kids were with you and saw it. I'm glad you are o.k. though. Man, things have got to start getting better for you...I mean, it can't get much worse I wouldn't think. This is the reason I carry pepper spray on my key chain. All the friggin looney's in the world...sheesh!

Skylark · Jan 24, 2003

Kreeli, 
I'm so sorry. Have any of these "nasty people incidents" turned into "teachable moments" for you with your kids?

GhostUser · Jan 24, 2003

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/sad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> What a scary experience for all of you, Kreeli. To echo what everyone has said here, I'm glad all three of you are safe and sound. 
I agree with calling the grocery store--chances are your family wasn't the only one being berrated that day.

Thalia · Jan 24, 2003

That's so frightening. I am glad you are OK.

GhostUser · Jan 24, 2003

You know I was thinking that maybe the grocery store has it on video..I know the grocery stores in my hood video tape the parking lot...but I live in middle urbania so I'm not sure if your store would have the lot on video or not...I mean if you wanted to pursue it and all.

Verbivore · Jan 24, 2003

How horrible for you and your kids. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/sad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> My mother recently got yelled at by a stranger who wanted to use her cell phone (it wasn't an emergency, and there was a pay phone nearby). I just ignore everybody.

Avalon · Jan 24, 2003

The world does not hate you- it has unbelievable amounts of confidence in you. If you were unable to meet these challenges, they would not be thrown in your path. 
Everything is a chance to grow and to learn. Even if it seemed really scary or sad at the time. 
You probably did the right thing. You met the challenge. Had you opened your wallet and there'd been money in there he might have mugged you in front of your kids. That would have been far worse. 
You should feel pride, not despair. 
That said, I do hope for now that the Universe lays off a little bit... <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/wink3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> Cause what the hell does it know about schlepping kids around dark parkinglots at night?

Kreeli · Jan 24, 2003

thank you everyone. i really felt like the world was ganging up on me this week. i do feel better today. 
i called the grocery store and gave them a description of the guy and told them what he did. the manager told me they'll keep an eye out for him. apparently there are rent-a-cops around the store, but i was just in the wrong place and the wrong time. 
what really irks me is i always give my change freely when i have some in my pockets. i don't judge people who panhandle and i feel like if someone is brave enough to admit they need help, they deserve it, no questions asked. and one of the few times that i simply cannot help out, i'm accosted. 
i didn't call the cops though. i don't like cops much, and every time i've tried to get them involved in something, they haven't been any help.

Jon · Jan 25, 2003

I hate this kind of aggressive poverty. In my home town the homeless sit next to the ATM machines and hassle you. 
Kreeli, I'm very glad you and your children weren't hurt, the emotional turmoil is more than enough. I hope you can all forget this very soon.

Joe · Jan 25, 2003

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally posted by Kreeli thank you everyone. i really felt like the world was ganging up on me this week. i do feel better today.</div>
</div>
 
I am very sorry that this happened to you. 
If it is any consolation to you, I think you did the right thing. Unfortunately, many street people who ask for money ask for money because they want to spend it on booze or drugs, most likely booze. What you witnessed with the banging on your windshield and car was probably alcoholic rage. It was probably a good thing that you did not give him money. 
I guess the grocery store system is different there in Canada than it is here in Tennessee. We don't have deposits for grocery carts. But on the other hand, we do have "packers" who will ask: "Do you need any help with that?" If you say yes, they will wheel the cart out to your car and load the bags/packages into your car for you. They will expect a tip for this service, but will wheel the cart back to the store for you. Dunno if this is available in BC upon request, but might be worth a buck or two if available for the peace of mind.

why does the world hate me?

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