Flat Tire :(

[ramanth]

So I make a trip to Meijers for essentials yesterday evening and as I'm pulling out of the parking space I hear the sickening... thump, thump....

I pull back into the parking space and sure enough I have a flat tire.

So I set to work getting out my spare and jacking the car up. I suddenly hear a voice, "Need some help?" The question comes from a guy with two kids in the car. I concurred that I could use some help jacking the car up and getting the bolts off the tire.

So here's how the conversation went from there.

Strange Guy: Someone slash your tires?
Kim: Uhhhh... no, I'm pretty sure I just picked up a nail or hit some glass.
SG: You sure? *pause* I'm just suspicious by nature.
Kim: uhh yeah. Thanks for offering to help.
SG: No problem. Are you married?
Kim: No. (I know I should of said yes, but I'm too nice and I don't lie. I answer thruthfully quite promptly...anyway...)
SG: Oh, I thought maybe your husband might be on his way to help you. You live around here?
Kim: Williamston.
SG: Don't they have grocery stores in Williamston.
Kim: *feeling a bit defensive at this point* Yes, but I prefer Meijers.
At this point a cart retreiver who works at Meijer's stops and asks if everything is okay. I say yes.
SG: Are you in school?
Kim: Graduated from college, working full time at Cooley.
SG: Law degree?
Kim: No, computers.
SG: Good field to be in. You do web stuff?
Kim: Yep.
He gets the tire off and checks it.
SG: hmmmm... you sure no one is mad at you?
Kim: It's not slashed.
SG: Anyone at home worried about where you are?
Kim: Uh...Just a hungry dog and cat.
SG: Oh! Better than kids. (one of the boys from the car yells, "I heard that!") What kind of dog? What's it's name?
Kim: Kia. She's a husky mix.
SG: What is she mixed with?
Kim: Australian Cattle Dog. *gives me a confused look* Blue Heeler. *still confused* It's a herding breed.
SG: Oh, she sounds very pretty.
Kim: She is.
SG: My sister has a Newfoundland. Very nice dogs but lots of hair.
Kim: That's what I hear.
SG: And the cat?
Kim: She's a calico.
SG: What's a calico? Does she have stripes?
Kim: No, tabby's have stripes. Calico's have patches of black, orange and white.
SG: How do you know it's a calico?
Kim: *a bit perturbed* Because it is.
SG: Do you know of any good retaurants around here? It's getting late and I don't want to cook for the kids.
Kim: There is a Bennigan's at the corner, MacDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, and Mongolian BBQ across the street, and Denny's about two miles West of here.
SG: Lots of choices, thanks.
I nod.

He finishes putting the spare on and stands.

I thank him and get into my car while he gets in his.

He then pulls his car around and rolls down the window, I do the same.

SG: Would you mind going out with me sometime?
Kim: I'm sorry but I'm seeing someone.
SG: Oh... I just had to ask.

And he drives away.

I drove around just to make sure he didn't follow me home.

[Dakota's Mommy]

Wow, don't you hate how guys can be! No offense to you males, but sometimes some men just annoy me with stuff like that! I guess that's what I consider a "typical man". The term may not fit all men, but boy does it fit those that really drive you nuts like it sounds like that guy did to you!

Glad to hear that you're away from the creepy stranger and back home safe and sound with the spare, but wow, scary, huh!

[ramanth]

Yeah... classic damsel in distress, I saved her, so she must be in love with me and we'll date syndrome. LOL!

[moosmom]

Kim,

Did he have a weddding ring on? With the 20 questions he was spewing, I'd have been suspicious too. It's too bad that the world has come to this. But you have every right to feel the way you do. If he was married, I hope his kid goes and tells his mother. He'll get what for

BTW, sorry about your tire. See you Sunday

[ramanth]

Originally posted by moosmom
Kim,

Did he have a weddding ring on?

To be honest, I didn't look, but I'm sure I caught him glancing at my hand where I do have a diamond ring on (my grandmother gave it to me).

With the 20 questions he was spewing, I'd have been suspicious too. It's too bad that the world has come to this. But you have every right to feel the way you do.

I got the sense he was harmless...yet weird. He had bit of a Southern accent and some of his questions had the sound like he wasn't from around here but then he'd do a 380 and ask a question and sound like he was from around here.

Strange guy.

If he was married, I hope his kid goes and tells his mother. He'll get what for

I got the feeling he was a single Dad. His boys were older than a child but younger than teens. I'd guess 9 and 12. I know how kids are and they never once mentioned, "Mom's gonna be mad at you."

BTW, sorry about your tire. See you Sunday

It couldn't be fixed, but I planned on replacing my tires soon anyway. The plug where I had a nail hole fixed from when we BOTH had flat tires on the same day, , had got condensation in it and the rubber stretched.

[Barbara]

He must have been pretty desperate to ask that with 3 children in his wagon. I would have been scared a little too (sounded somehow as if he could have slashed the tire just to get in contact ) but I guess one day later it is just another funny story.

[marysmerrycats]

I don't want to scare you, but I hope he didn't get your license number, and Im not sure if just anyone can get info even if he did.. but that sure sounds creepy. you should have said that yes you called your husband and hes on his way...you can never be too careful, and gone to the store to ask for help, and I agree with Barbara, he could have done something to your tire then conviently been there to help, but as you said your tire had a nail in it..
anyway, be careful, and don't feel like you have to answer his nosy questions, its one thing to make polite conversation, but another to ask so many personal questions then ask you out!
be careful! Ive heard you should always go with your feelings, if it feels wrong, or the person makes you feel creepy, then you should go with your gut feelings.

[Kfamr]

Oh! what a way to pick up women, in a Meijers parking lot! lmao He sounded nice, but strange.... Are you sure that's a calico now? lmao

[babolaypo65]

I recommend telling creepy strangers you are married.

[lizbud]

Kimmy,

That guy sounded weird. Way too many personal type
questions. Glad you made it home o.k. Wonder if
he would have hung around that long talking if Kia had
been in the car with you. Take care.

[mugsy]

Well that pretty much sucks doesn't it??

I think he thought he might get a date out of it so decided to stop. I don't think he would do much with kids in the car...witnesses (especially young ones who blurt out everything) are not good!! lol

[Soledad]

Most of those questions he asked were really inappropriate. Either he's nuts or just really socially inept.

[ramanth]

Originally posted by lizbud
Wonder if he would have hung around that long talking if Kia had been in the car with you. Take care.

LOL! I wonder the same thing too!

[sammi]

Why did you give him all that information???? Sounds a bit weird - but if you heard that line in a bar etc. nobody would think a thing about it. - and thats where a person should be very careful.

[RICHARD]

i just ask,
do you need a hand????

if a gal says, yes i give her a standing ovation and go on my way....that takes care of those pesky women who flatten their tires just to meet me...


lol.