This always seems to happen to me. Last night I was at the grocery store and it was late and I was coming out and going to my car with my cart. I always park kind of far out because less chance of a cart hitting my car, not too many cars beside me, anyway- I see this tiny car with the hood up- at first I thought, "Aw...poor guy, " he had the hood up putting oil in it- car was in horrible shape- basically held together by a string- and then as I pass him (and it's only he and I over on the side of the parking lot) I see that the hatchback is up and he has some contraption- don't know what it was- in the back with big thick chains wrapped around it- like something out of Saw or something, and then I see that he is ranting and raving to himself. I look to see if there's someone in the car- there isn't - and he's just having a heated discussion with himself. I hurry and put my stuff in the car/ jumped in/ locked my doors and drove off. I then pass him furthur down the road and he's sitting alone in his car- laughing maniacally and ranting and raving to himself. He was scary and whatever was in the back of his car- uh- When I got home I thought maybe I should have called the polilce- what if he had someone back there?

Does this ever happenn to any of you? That you run into a nut and it gives you the heebie jeebies?

Mental illnesses can be horrible to deal with and I always feel great empathy whenever I deal with someone who does not seem to be 100% healthy.

It's really difficult, though, and most of the time I'd simply mind my own business. I am not afraid of such people (I could always run away when push comes to shove), but my need for privacy simply makes me not care and think about people around me that much, no matter if they seem to "stand out" or not, unless someone is explicitly asking me for help.

Dave1992 said:

Mental illnesses can be horrible to deal with and I always feel great empathy whenever I deal with someone who does not seem to be 100% healthy.

It's really difficult, though, and most of the time I'd simply mind my own business. I am not afraid of such people (I could always run away when push comes to shove), but my need for privacy simply makes me not care and think about people around me that much, no matter if they seem to "stand out" or not, unless someone is explicitly asking me for help.

Yes, I do feel bad for people with mental illness. It just seemed with him that he would be the type to snatch you up and I got kind of chilled to the bone.

This happens a lot to me in L.A & has been for awhile.

I have a lot of crazy homeles speople, crackheads & other people that come up to me

I do feel sorry for the people who sadly have no homes or issues with money, but some of them here in L.A are just batshit crazy... i mean idk how many times when i lived in Hollywood.

That some crazy bum would come in a food place i was at, and cause rukus when people wouldn't give them change, and i also have had them spit at me, curse me, threaten to rape me (well he said that to everyone who passed by ''I'll rape you in the ass'')

The area i live in now is by UCLA & a lot more calm, but you will sometimes get the crazies out here.

i don't need to go to a parking lot to find people with mental illness. my own mother has mental illness, and scares me, that's why i haven't seen her in nearly a year now, and try to stay away from her. she won't get help for her problem, so i have to protect my family.

uniden said:

i don't need to go to a parking lot to find people with mental illness. my own mother has mental illness, and scares me, that's why i haven't seen her in nearly a year now, and try to stay away from her. she won't get help for her problem, so i have to protect my family.

That's really sad.

I lived in the same house as my grandfather for more than two years and he has Alzheimer's. It was so bad he was completely paranoid and even aggressive, but then there were times when he acknowledged he was ill and acted normal. I had nightmares and was really afraid when I heard him walking around the house and the garden at night.

uniden said:

i don't need to go to a parking lot to find people with mental illness. my own mother has mental illness, and scares me, that's why i haven't seen her in nearly a year now, and try to stay away from her. she won't get help for her problem, so i have to protect my family.

I'm so sorry! That must be hard for you -

I know that's hard with it being your mother but you have to think of your family- God bless you .

Gunsnhalen said:

This happens a lot to me in L.A & has been for awhile.

I have a lot of crazy homeles speople, crackheads & other people that come up to me

I do feel sorry for the people who sadly have no homes or issues with money, but some of them here in L.A are just batshit crazy... i mean idk how many times when i lived in Hollywood.

That some crazy bum would come in a food place i was at, and cause rukus when people wouldn't give them change, and i also have had them spit at me, curse me, threaten to rape me (well he said that to everyone who passed by ''I'll rape you in the ass'')

The area i live in now is by UCLA & a lot more calm, but you will sometimes get the crazies out here.

Oh hell! This is awful! Much worse than what I've seen! Gosh! I don't know how you handle that...

Dave1992 said:

uniden said:

i don't need to go to a parking lot to find people with mental illness. my own mother has mental illness, and scares me, that's why i haven't seen her in nearly a year now, and try to stay away from her. she won't get help for her problem, so i have to protect my family.

That's really sad.

I lived in the same house as my grandfather for more than two years and he has Alzheimer's. It was so bad he was completely paranoid and even aggressive, but then there were times when he acknowledged he was ill and acted normal. I had nightmares and was really afraid when I heard him walking around the house and the garden at night.

I live in NYC and ride the subway every day - need I say more?

uPtoWnNY said:

I live in NYC and ride the subway every day - need I say more?

uPtoWnNY said:

I live in NYC and ride the subway every day - need I say more?

just visit san francisco lower market street area on any given day. sometimes it makes me feel very sad to see the displaced and govermentally ignored mentally ill living on the street.

lauralevesque said:

Gunsnhalen said:

This happens a lot to me in L.A & has been for awhile.

I have a lot of crazy homeles speople, crackheads & other people that come up to me

I do feel sorry for the people who sadly have no homes or issues with money, but some of them here in L.A are just batshit crazy... i mean idk how many times when i lived in Hollywood.

That some crazy bum would come in a food place i was at, and cause rukus when people wouldn't give them change, and i also have had them spit at me, curse me, threaten to rape me (well he said that to everyone who passed by ''I'll rape you in the ass'')

The area i live in now is by UCLA & a lot more calm, but you will sometimes get the crazies out here.

Oh hell! This is awful! Much worse than what I've seen! Gosh! I don't know how you handle that...

well it's L.A you.. sadly eventually get used to it

I imagine people who ride the subway in L.A or NYC as mentioned now all about this.

I work downtown in my city, so when I walk 4 blocks from my building to the parking deck to my car, I occasionally pass by a couple of homeless people who are either:

1) Sitting in the corners of benches in front of buildings.

2) Sitting in on the sidewalk beside an entrance to a building with a cup.

3) Walking down the street screaming and yelling at themselves or laughing.

I can handle #1 & #2...but #3....makes me nervous though I just keep on walking and don't bother them.

I think in all cities you will get an occasional weird person or two. My neighborhood is littered with pubs and liquor stores, so there is a high percentage of heavy drinkers in my area.

Drunks are special and some are overly friendly, but its the women who are chatty and try to follow you asking you for money who annoy me the most. I just tell them to back off since I am usually with my children.

I hate people who ask for hand outs. There are so many resource centers and food kitchens in my neighborhood that it just isn't necessary.

Honestly!

But I must say that one time I was painting my apartment so I was looking rough wearing really old bleach stained sweat pants and an old t-shirt, my hair was in a head scarf... so this random guy thought I was homeless and tried to hand me 20 dollars. I musta looked REALLY destitute. Folks just wanted to throw money at me. I had to explain I was painting my apartment. Poor guy looked REALLY worried. I had to reassure him I was OK. Damn.

There are really good people in this world, it balances all the crazy out.

missfee said:

I work downtown in my city, so when I walk 4 blocks from my building to the parking deck to my car, I occasionally pass by a couple of homeless people who are either:

1) Sitting in the corners of benches in front of buildings.

2) Sitting in on the sidewalk beside an entrance to a building with a cup.

3) Walking down the street screaming and yelling at themselves or laughing.

I can handle #1 & #2...but #3....makes me nervous though I just keep on walking and don't bother them.

Yes, this is what bothers me too. I'm used to seeing homeless people, prostitutes, drug dealers- that I can handle, but when someone is laughing like a maniac to himself at his own joke...

I get skeerrd.

paintedlady said:

I think in all cities you will get an occasional weird person or two. My neighborhood is littered with pubs and liquor stores, so there is a high percentage of heavy drinkers in my area.

Drunks are special and some are overly friendly, but its the women who are chatty and try to follow you asking you for money who annoy me the most. I just tell them to back off since I am usually with my children.

I hate people who ask for hand outs. There are so many resource centers and food kitchens in my neighborhood that it just isn't necessary.

Honestly!

But I must say that one time I was painting my apartment so I was looking rough wearing really old bleach stained sweat pants and an old t-shirt, my hair was in a head scarf... so this random guy thought I was homeless and tried to hand me 20 dollars. I musta looked REALLY destitute. Folks just wanted to throw money at me. I had to explain I was painting my apartment. Poor guy looked REALLY worried. I had to reassure him I was OK. Damn.

There are really good people in this world, it balances all the crazy out.

Wait a minute!

...you gave the money BACK?!?!?!?!

If you played your cards right, you could'a gotten at least FIFTY from him.

missfee said:

I can handle #1 & #2...but #3....makes me nervous though I just keep on walking and don't bother them.

Exactly, because you don't know if those mfers are carrying a razor or an ice pick.

PurpleJedi said:

paintedlady said:

I think in all cities you will get an occasional weird person or two. My neighborhood is littered with pubs and liquor stores, so there is a high percentage of heavy drinkers in my area.

Drunks are special and some are overly friendly, but its the women who are chatty and try to follow you asking you for money who annoy me the most. I just tell them to back off since I am usually with my children.

I hate people who ask for hand outs. There are so many resource centers and food kitchens in my neighborhood that it just isn't necessary.

Honestly!

But I must say that one time I was painting my apartment so I was looking rough wearing really old bleach stained sweat pants and an old t-shirt, my hair was in a head scarf... so this random guy thought I was homeless and tried to hand me 20 dollars. I musta looked REALLY destitute. Folks just wanted to throw money at me. I had to explain I was painting my apartment. Poor guy looked REALLY worried. I had to reassure him I was OK. Damn.

There are really good people in this world, it balances all the crazy out.

Wait a minute!

...you gave the money BACK?!?!?!?!

If you played your cards right, you could'a gotten at least FIFTY from him.

I am not going to take some strangers money if I do not need it... I would not be able to sleep at night!

paintedlady said:

PurpleJedi said:

Wait a minute!

...you gave the money BACK?!?!?!?!

If you played your cards right, you could'a gotten at least FIFTY from him.

I am not going to take some strangers money if I do not need it... I would not be able to sleep at night!

Well then, a proper introduction is in order.

"Hello sir, I'd like to introduce myself. Fine weather we're having. Do you come around here often? No? Good. Now give me that cash."

Starbucks here we come.

thekidsgirl said:

I get approached by people who I would rather be left alone by a lot. Think its because I look like a deer in headlights too often when Im out alone.

haha- yes, me too!

lauralevesque said:

Does this ever happenn to any of you? That you run into a nut and it gives you the heebie jeebies?

Everyday, Monday thru Friday from 9-5.

kitbradley said:

the scariest part of this whole story is that he's actually driving a vehicle! If he is mentally ill, it sounds pretty darn serious. he could go all nutso on the freeway and cause a horrible accident, killing innocent people.

Yes! And thing he had wrapped up in chains in the back

I really should have called the police and them check him out....

PurpleJedi said:

paintedlady said:

I am not going to take some strangers money if I do not need it... I would not be able to sleep at night!

Well then, a proper introduction is in order.

"Hello sir, I'd like to introduce myself. Fine weather we're having. Do you come around here often? No? Good. Now give me that cash."

Starbucks here we come.

OMG you made me choke a bit I laughed so hard!

I AM a nut... I'm the one doing the skeevin'!!!

Not really. As a paranoid American I do always have my radar up over here, though

If I happen to sense someone is a little off while I'm out and about, i usually just put up my "stone wall" and stay icy, looking intensely focused with purpose and intention, with no opening for them to connect in any way, even by eyes...and I make sure my keys are placed securely between my fingers to act as a weapon just in case. If need be, ladies you you can jack somebody's face up with them acting as improvised brass knuckles.

but nah, for the most part usually I'm pretty good

Ottensen said:

Not really. As a paranoid American I do always have my radar up over here, though

If I happen to sense someone is a little off while I'm out and about, i usually just put up my "stone wall" and stay icy, looking intensely focused with purpose and intention, with no opening for them to connect in any way, even by eyes...and I make sure my keys are placed securely between my fingers to act as a weapon just in case. If need be, ladies you you can jack somebody's face up with them acting as improvised brass knuckles.

but nah, for the most part usually I'm pretty good

OMG!!! I thought I was the only nut that walked around doing that!! I do it mostly at night though.

You's a "city gal" like me! Awww!!

[Edited 11/14/12 5:38am]