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Last night I was in an electronic store stuck waiting behind a couple buying a phone contract taking foreverrrr. As I stood there my youngest was to the left of me looking at something while we waited. My SA alarm bells started rising when a young punk looking teenager walked in looking around, walked down the middle of the store reversed steps and walked back to the middle of the store and stopped facing us. It looked as if he was about to say something when another couple walked into the store, he closed his mouth and walked straight back out. My daughter and I looked at each other and I stayed put, keeping an eye out if he came back. (Yes, I was carrying.). The thing that stood out was, who was he about to speak to? The clerk was busily helping the cell phone couple and wasn't even facing him. And initially, following his eyes, he was looking at people as he came in, not for a specific electronic item. KWIM?

My never again is that I will not continue to stay put, I will grab my daughter and maneuver us to a safer position, as we were away from the exit.

But on a positive note, my daughter said to me, "Can we hurry up, I don't feel safe here!" And my teenage son had been keeping an eye out from the car outside and he said he watched him like a hawk going in and leaving. Ah, it's so satisfying when my young grasshoppers have learned the ways of situational awareness.

I got KWIM, Know What I Mean, but it's late and I'm drawing a blank on SA alarm.

Otherwise, not much to react to, but you were aware of him. That's the main thing. Thankfully, he didn't give you anything to react to.

Situational Awareness alarms. I didn't know KWIM, so thanks C-dub

Great for you for successfully teaching that to your children. I would love to know how you did it.

It seems as though these situations have become all too common and can happen just about anywhere. I'm glad it didn't escalate to something serious. Thanks for sharing your story.

What bothered me is that I didn't move, as my level of concern was rising, I didn't grab my daughter and distance us. I just watched him.

Healthinsp-- I talk to my kids while we are in the car. It's the best time for me to have their undivided attention and I have them trapped! Lol. We listen to talk radio and discuss world events. We let them share their thoughts. My kids are military brats, they are used to being more aware of their surroundings due to living overseas all their lives. I told my kids that it is our job to give them a good foundation of understanding political issues, so that when they go to college and hear their liberal professors they will be able to recognize it for what it is.

AndyC wrote:

CHLLady wrote:What bothered me is that I didn't move, as my level of concern was rising, I didn't grab my daughter and distance us. I just watched him.

You were aware and didn't over-react, that's all.

Thank you Steamboat and Andy. I'm glad I learned this lesson though.

CHLLady wrote:What bothered me is that I didn't move, as my level of concern was rising, I didn't grab my daughter and distance us. I just watched him.

What bothered me is that your perimeter guard didn't even have the guy covered, much less have CAS enroute.

KD5NRH wrote:

CHLLady wrote:What bothered me is that I didn't move, as my level of concern was rising, I didn't grab my daughter and distance us. I just watched him.

What bothered me is that your perimeter guard didn't even have the guy covered, much less have CAS enroute.

. I dont think you sucked in the situation. I think you would have sucked if you and your children all FBI rolled like tumble weeds into the next aisle over.

You had your eyes on him and were aware. So did your kids. Kuddos to you. Something might have happened, or he might have asked you where they keep the Arizona tea and Skittles. You'll never know, and that is completely OK.

ripnbst wrote:

KD5NRH wrote:

CHLLady wrote:What bothered me is that I didn't move, as my level of concern was rising, I didn't grab my daughter and distance us. I just watched him.

What bothered me is that your perimeter guard didn't even have the guy covered, much less have CAS enroute.

. I dont think you sucked in the situation. I think you would have sucked if you and your children all FBI rolled like tumble weeds into the next aisle over.

You had your eyes on him and were aware. So did your kids. Kuddos to you. Something might have happened, or he might have asked you where they keep the Arizona tea and Skittles. You'll never know, and that is completely OK.

Indeed. Your spidey sense goes off and you're ready to draw, but you can't stop drop and roll into a crouch firing away, just because a guy is standing there. What else could you have done exactly in the exact same scenario?

But now you know 1. You do have spidey senses; 2. You can practice being ready to do something if needed.