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ArcheM
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Default Sep 26, 2017 at 05:59 AM
  #1
I was stopped by a couple people who tried to scam me with some fake antique coins (although that's only an assumption on my part). I was honest and helpful until they actually started talking about money, at which point I hastily retreated. After that I felt like ****. Fortunately it was at the beginning of my daily walk, which I sorely needed, but I thought about going back home I was so rotten. And you might think that it's an unlucky exception, but actually I've ever only been stopped by rude or unpleasant people, and never for anything fun or useful. I think part of it is just the way it works, also my social anxiety makes pretty much any interaction with a stranger unpleasant, and maybe it has a bit to do with living in Russia which is notorious for grumpy people in certain circles.

I just started thinking how I'd avoid that crap. Is it better to lie that I'm in a hurry? Or I had this outlandish idea: apologize in a foreign language (which I actually speak, of course), although that seems a bit too extreme if not completely impossible in my state, and I also don't look like a foreigner (if that makes sense). I also feel a lot like stopping walks and hiding at home again... but that is bad for me. However, it's no good if I have to relax after an activity that I was supposed to do to relax.
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Default Sep 26, 2017 at 09:04 AM
  #2
You don't require an excuse to not interact with a stranger. Have you tried just ignoring them and walking on?

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Default Sep 26, 2017 at 09:23 AM
  #3
I guess I should. Come to think of it, I always keep stopping. Well, I kind of often walk in deserted areas, although today it's not the excuse. But still, it was me, those two guys, and an empty street... I guess it's an even better excuse to keep going... I mean, they can't have done to me anything worse behind my back than what they tried face to face.
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Default Sep 26, 2017 at 09:25 AM
  #4
You just keep walking, as though you're a machine. Do not stop.
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Default Oct 01, 2017 at 11:15 PM
  #5
Ugh, I get people trying to stop me downtown all the time. I just keep walking. Most people do with all the people handing you cds or asking for money. Don't feel bad; you don't owe anyone a response.
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Default Oct 05, 2017 at 02:46 AM
  #6
If your wear earphones people will assume you are listening to music and not bother you.
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ArcheM
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Default Oct 05, 2017 at 03:43 AM
  #7
I was, though! I don't think this has ever deterred anyone from trying to initiate an interaction. In fact, they often don't care if I'm able to hear them, seemingly... I guess maybe if I wore my big "indoors" headphones, instead of earbuds, it would be more obvious.
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Default Nov 19, 2017 at 06:38 PM
  #8
To avoid someone, just tell them "No Thanks!"
or
Avoid contact. Keep walking.
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Default Nov 19, 2017 at 07:37 PM
  #9
In olden times, it was actually RUDE for a gentleman to speak to a lady to whom he had not been introduced. That is probably not the case here, but ive seen police say on tv that too often people are victimized because they dont want to appear rude. But the people who are mugging them are being VERY rude! So, dont worry about being rude. Worry more about how to ensure your walks are undisturbed - maybe walk in slightly less deserted areas?
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Default May 23, 2018 at 09:18 AM
  #10
Quote:
Originally Posted by possum220 View Post
If your wear earphones people will assume you are listening to music and not bother you.
I have tried this but they talk to me anyway, even in stores. Following this thread to get more ideas.

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Default May 24, 2018 at 12:09 AM
  #11
Oh, I've been limiting my walking between 7 and 9 AM for the past, well, 6 months, and pretty much avoided any inopportune interruptions (and queues in stores), except maybe once or twice on the back leg when, presumably, meddlers start waking up.

Well, this might not apply for everyone, depending on your work schedule, but I work from home, so.

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Default Aug 06, 2018 at 01:43 PM
  #12
I deal with this on occasion, I'll be on the bus with both ear buds in and my nose in a book. Idk, but some people don't have much in the way of mindfulness or awareness. It's frustrating for me, because I generally like people, but these days, they make me nervous.
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Smile Aug 07, 2018 at 05:46 PM
  #13
When I walk I wear a hat with a wide brim pulled down to shield my eyes from other peoples' gazes. I also wear sunglasses unless it's really overcast. I keep my gaze down toward the sidewalk in front of me (useful for avoiding stepping in something I wouldn't want to take home.) And I carry big walking stick! Nobody bothers me...
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Default Dec 22, 2018 at 01:15 PM
  #14
Get some ear buds and stick them in your ears. You don't have to plug them into any device, just have them in your ears. People will think you can't hear them and won't bother trying.


I used to do this when I worked in a gas station and customers would come in and ***** about everything/anything as if I could do anything about it...wear ear phones, and they keep to themselves. They were happy I could hear them well enough to take their orders. Worked every time.

Oops people have already suggested this...Russia might be different, different culture. Cheer up, America is getting worse!
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Smile Dec 22, 2018 at 07:12 PM
  #15
I have a small dog I walk daily. By-&-large people where I live just ignore each other. Also... during the winter there don't tend to be a lot of people out walking. So it's not typically a problem anyway. During the summer I wear a wide-brimmed hat with the vizor pulled down over my eyes so I avoid eye contact with people. I also typically wear sunglasses.

On the off occasion when someone does try to tag me for something, I just shake my head "no" & keep walking. (I also carry a big walking stick which could, under the right circumstances, be used as a weapon!) I suspect, over time, I've probably developed something of a reputation around the community I live in as being anti-social. To quote Popeye: "I yam what I yam & that's all what I yam..."
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Default Dec 22, 2018 at 11:21 PM
  #16
Quote:
Originally Posted by ArcheM View Post
I was stopped by a couple people who tried to scam me with some fake antique coins (although that's only an assumption on my part). I was honest and helpful until they actually started talking about money, at which point I hastily retreated. After that I felt like ****. Fortunately it was at the beginning of my daily walk, which I sorely needed, but I thought about going back home I was so rotten. And you might think that it's an unlucky exception, but actually I've ever only been stopped by rude or unpleasant people, and never for anything fun or useful. I think part of it is just the way it works, also my social anxiety makes pretty much any interaction with a stranger unpleasant, and maybe it has a bit to do with living in Russia which is notorious for grumpy people in certain circles.

I just started thinking how I'd avoid that crap. Is it better to lie that I'm in a hurry? Or I had this outlandish idea: apologize in a foreign language (which I actually speak, of course), although that seems a bit too extreme if not completely impossible in my state, and I also don't look like a foreigner (if that makes sense). I also feel a lot like stopping walks and hiding at home again... but that is bad for me. However, it's no good if I have to relax after an activity that I was supposed to do to relax.
Foreign language sounds like a good option to me...
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Default Dec 31, 2018 at 08:33 AM
  #17
you don't have to be nice to strangers. be as rude as you want. really, people won't be able to take advantage of you that easily
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Default Feb 07, 2019 at 01:16 AM
  #18
You can switch from walking to jogging mode when you are passing by these people; and once you are far enough, switching back to walking mode.
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