Being Accosted While Filling Up

[Abraham]

While filling my lawn mower gas can, I noticed a man heading in my general direction. This at a very large gas station just off highway 45 and 517. Some sixth sense told me he was going to approach me and sure enough he did.

Understand, I'm obviously very engaged making certain I don't overfill the gas can, so I'm busily eyeballing the can and the pump and this guy starts in with: "Hi, how are you?" I don't immediately acknowledge his presence as (1) I'm busy and (2) I don't look to make new friends while filling up at a gas station and being approached like this makes me suspicious. He stayed put on the other side of the pump, but red flags were going up as this guy insists I acknowledge him by repeating his "Hi, how are you?" mantra about three or four more times. I continue to ignore him (while peripheral vision eyeballing him) and finally he patiently waits for me to finish. Once I cap the can, I then look in his direction and he immediately starts in with his opening line.

While I continue to deadpan look at him. He asks: "You wouldn't want to buy a new battery would you" I curtly shake my head no and he slowly and dejectedly walks off. (what a terrible salesman) You never open a sales lines with "You wouldn't want to buy..." Maybe he was just staring out in his budding criminal career and has yet to perfect his lines? And, yes, he might just be an Ike refugee, but I doubt it.

I can imagine any number of scenarios explaining this from criminal to just plain sad, but I'm not buying anything from a stranger in such a scenario or going with him to examine his "sales items".

I felt relatively comfortable about my safety as I have a CHL and all that affords, but what an odd experience.

I'm certain he wasn't a field rep for NTB.

Anyone else here experience this sort of thing recently and if so - did you take up the offer?

[KD5NRH]

I probably would report that one; car batteries are high-theft items, and it seems pretty fishy for someone to be out selling them on the street.

[rm9792]

I would hardly call that being accosted. A guy asked you a question and left. I get them walking up to me at pumps asking for money a lot and some dont take a hint.

[Nintao]

I try to ignore those characters that come around asking for money. I will admit that if I am in my own neighborhood my aggitation level is much higher. Most of the time they go away when I ignore them, other times I say "No" in an irritated voice. Now that I am waiting for my CHL to clear (day 95!), I have reconsidered what I should do to keep this occasional scenario from excalating to a higher level as I might have more to loose than someone of their "caliber".

I have even had someone approach me in a local grocery store! That almost excalated as I really cut loose on the guy on what I thought of him asking for handouts inside the store. He was about 6' 6" and had to weigh in at 350lbs+, so I am glad my "biker tough guy" look had him reconsider what to do, when the words increased to near violence.

Once I get my CHL I have to have my mind in a different mind-set and avoid potential violent situations. Protecting myself is one thing, but going from "No you can't have any money" to handcuffs is another thing entirely.

[Sport Coach]

I had a guy at a gas station ask me if I wanted to buy some stereo equipment, cheap of course years ago. I was in a hurry that day so didn't report it even though I figured it was stolen stuff and that blatant approach just irks me that someone is sitting at home or in a business wondering why he got ripped off. About 3 years later, same guy, same MO so I politely said I didn't want any and took note of his truck. When he left the gas station I called the Constable's office and reported the truck and what and how the guy was selling. Didn't feel threatened but felt good about just maybe someone getting their stuff back.

[Abraham]

I appreciate everyone's input.

I had no idea how often folks are pestered at the gas pump by salesmen of dubious background. Being approached at the pump like this was a new one for me.

Being to some extent, a distracted captive audience adds a bit more annoyance to the experience. Add further, over eager insistence I pay attention to the street salesman, when I'm obviously not interested, makes the whole experience one that's not a simple question asked, but a question insisted upon by a complete stranger.

Of course, maybe I'm just a grumpy old curmudgeon?

Naaahhhhh!

[nitrogen]

I've been threatened at a gas station a few times. I think i've posted a thread on here about one such instance.

[rm9792]

I have never been threatened, but I am 6'/235 lbs so that might have some bearing. But they have stayed to the point of annoyance. Usually they just want change.

[fm2]

Thats managing unknown contacts. I don't ignore them, I try to visually pick them up early while cruising for an open pump. I keep an eye on them, and give them the stop hand and I'm not interested.

You are right about being sorta stuck there at the pump. The tension caused by the tight space, and limited visibility can be compounded if you left your keys in the car and the door open, all the car doors are unlocked, maybe a shady looking car pulls to a nearby pump and 4 big guys pile out. It's a place that some things need to be planned ahead & practiced and then role the verbal tape loop while you are observing.

[anygunanywhere]

Just remember that if someone accosts you while filling up with gas the first thing you do is spray in with the face with fuel.

Then pull out your Zippo.

Anygunanywhere

[PUCKER]

I'm with you, that's part of my "plan at the pump"...the other night a minivan pulled up at the pump across from me and the occupants asked me for directions...I was filling up a gas can, first thing I did was take the nozzle out of the can and held it in front of me at a ready position, made eye contact, scanned the area, etc...they really were asking for directions as far as I could ascertain. Off they drove. And back to filling up I went. I need to find my Zippo, I tend to use a 3-torch lighter as that's what I prefer for cigars.

Just remember that if someone accosts you while filling up with gas the first thing you do is spray in with the face with fuel.

Then pull out your Zippo.

Anygunanywhere

[casingpoint]

the first thing you do is spray in with the face with fuel

Excellent thinking. Probably all that is necessary when the see that Zippo. Hey, you could quote 'em some Eldridge Cleaver. "Burn, Baby, Burn."