Being followed by creepy men

[Jesskm]

I have two very similar, but completely unrelated incidents I'd like to share.

One time, I was at the mall and realized I had forgotten my cellphone in my car. I decided to walk back out to my car to retrieve it. As I reached into my car, I glanced in my rear view mirror and noticed a man that walked between some cars in the aisle behind me, but didn't get into a car. I immediately became suspicious of him. In hindsight, I should've immediately left. But instead, I grabbed my phone, hit the video record button and started walking back into the mall. Sure enough, this guy got about 20-30 feet behind me and followed me back into the mall through one of the department stores. Once back in the store, I decided to play a cat and mouse game to test him. As I would move around the store, sure enough, he was always nearby, "pretending to shop", unaware that I was onto him.

At one point, I acted like I was heading to leave the store and walk out into the main corridor of the mall. He was walking ahead of me and anticipating my move, he sure enough left the store. He looked back at me, I shot him a dirty look and then immediately cut to the side and remained in the store. Not surprisingly, he turned around and came back into the store. At this point, he knew that I was aware of what he was doing. He walks past me and says "You look very nice". I glanced at him and didn't say anything.

Now at this point, he was putting a lot more distance between himself and I. After a while, I looked around and didn't see him anywhere, but I knew he had to have been watching from afar somewhere. I decided to use this buffer to make a break for it. I hit record on my phone again, and immediately speed walked back out to my car. Just as I was getting into my car, I spotted him again walking towards my car. I threw my car into gear and got out of there.

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My next experience is very similar. Again, I was at the mall (A different mall). As I was walking in the corridor, some guy clocked me. He was walking ahead of me, but kept glancing to the side, where he could see me in his peripheral vision. I didn't think too much of it because I'm used to getting occasionally clocked. Most people just stare for a brief moment and then carry on. I had no reason to think this would be any different. Feeling like I was done shopping, I decided to turn around and walk in the opposite direction. I traversed the entire length of the mall to the exit where my car was parked. Before exiting, I looked back to make sure nobody was following me, then proceeded to leave. Even once outside, as I walked down the long parking aisle, I looked around again, and still didn't see anything concerning. I then got into my car and as I was backing up, the guy appeared again in front of me. We made eye contact and I shot him a dirty look, while he had a look of disgust on his face. I then drove off and he started walking back to the mall entrance. I could see in my rear view mirror that he kept glancing back as I drove away.

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I'll never know exactly what their motives were, but stay safe out there, girls! There's some real creeps lurking about. I have pepper spray, and plan to get more serious about carrying this on me when I go out dressed.

[Majella St Gerard]

Always be prepared no matter how you are presenting.

[Allisa]

Take a candid picture of him then show it to the store and mall security and tell them he has been following you every where you go inside and out.

[Amelie]

This is something to be aware of even for men. There is always some creep out to do damage to someone else.

If a guy follows in a car, then drive to the police station and park there, he will drive away. I always knew my routes I took when walking home at night. Still, I had guys follow me. I lived near some burned out buildings and empty lots where I could hide in the shadows. No guy ever followed me into the dark spots. I would do the police station thing on occasion, I'd walk up to the station and stand there, the guy would turn around. Some nights if a guy followed me I would go into the Bodega where I knew people would be, some people knew me, guy usually didn't follow me anymore when other people I knew came out and confronted them.

But the best thing to do is have a plan. It's like my father taught me, when going to clubs or movie theaters, always have an escape plan in case of a fire, same goes for walking about. Have a plan to get to safety. It's not just women or cds that are targets, men are targets too.

[Ressie]

Sounds like they were cruising in both of those scenarios. Cruising for sex that is. That doesn't mean they would do you any harm. They just think you're probably gay because they watch tranny porn all the time.

[Beverley Sims]

I soon take a flit to somewhere else.

No confrontation or contact is necessary.

If it became bothersome and I felt danger I would contact the appropriate security or the police.

Being dressed would not be a problem.

[DIANEF]

Wow, sounds quite scary, glad you were okay on both occasions. I have been out many times so far without any kind of incident, but you always have to be on the alert.

[alwayshave]

Jess, Does sound creepy.

[Patience]

Setting the phone to record video is a great idea. Thanks for that.

[Stephanie47]

Yes, very creepy. I do concur with the thought those men had some interest in soliciting a sexual contact. What does a person do? Is it better to be confrontational with the person? Or do what you did? I cannot be the judge of that. What you described really goes further than what most women experience at a mall. If a man or woman goes to a pickup joint, then he or she is aware someone is going to engage with them. I have known women who have gone about their normal routine and have been suspected as prostitutes because they happen to have been waiting for a ride from their spouses in a store parking lot. Some people make the erroneous assumption based on experience or misguided beliefs. I do agree with Ressie (#5, above) that her was under the misguided assumption that you were interested in a sexual contact.

I do have a word of caution for men and women in this situation. If someone is really interested in stalking you, it may not be best to flee to your vehicle. In my state for a mere $2.00 one can get from DMV the name and address of the registered owner of a vehicle. It may be best to go to mall security. Stalking is stalking, whether stalking a man or a woman.

[Alice B]

My reaction would be to directly confront the person while others are around.Show that I am not afraid and take a close up shot of his face.

[Tracii G]

I have had a few creepy guys follow me in the mall at different times.
One time I was walking back to the restrooms so I went in the ladies room and there were 3 women in there and I just went into a stall.
One lady said honey are you OK you looked like you were in a hurry.
I said there was a guy I think was following me. Now understand I wasn't trying to hide my voice and the lady said are you wanting us to go out with you to your car? I said yes if you would so kind to do so.
One lady left and the other two came out of the restroom with me.
They had no problem having a tranny in the restroom but how they offered to walk out with me like we were friends and offer protection was really nice of them.
I had only been out one time before and I really didn't have much experience in what to do if in a situation like that.
Glad you were OK and got out of there.

[Micki_Finn]

Congratulations, you have just experienced the average man’s ham-fisted attempt at flirting. For future reference, if you feel unsafe, tell one of the store clerks what’s going on. Every mall will have security that will be happy to walk you to the car, and large department stores have their own LP teams that work undercover in the store.

[Tracii G]

I hope this thread showed some men here what not to do when the see a beautiful lady.

[Judy-Somthing]

I wonder if one of them could have been security?

When I was 17 I had long hair down to my shoulders which was great for a CDer.
Well one day I told a school friend that I like to CD, he said I like to see that.

Well that night about 11:00 after I got fully dressed he said "you look great lets go walk around"
We ended up sitting in a park, I was loving it until a car pulled up and parked at one end of the park and 5 older guys got out and started walking towards us.
I thought "OH CRAP" got up and started walking towards the opposite exit of the park, my friend beat feet. Myself in heels I couldn't keep up with him.
Meanwhile the guys started fallowing me saying "hay honey hang with us and have a beer" I ran like the dickens and hopped a few fences in heels.
I reached home but when I looked through the door window I saw my farther watching TV so I ran to the garage when the guys finally caught up to me.
They asked why did I run, we only want to hang out. then one said "hey you're so and so's brother I ended up telling them I did it on a dare. boy was my heart pounding.

[Micki_Finn]

Doubt it was security. If they’re not uniformed, you’d never know that they were following you. Also, undercover security tends to work in pairs and they’d NEVER follow you out of the store unless they had reason to believe you’d been stealing.

[Krisi]

He might have been another crossdresser, amazed to see one of his kind out in public. He might have been a member here and went home and posted about seeing a crossdresser in public!

He might also have been a bit mentally retarded and not aware that his behavior was inappropriate.

When we venture out in public (as a man or as a woman), we meet all kinds of people doing all kinds of things and we need to know how best to deal with them.

[jjjjohanne]

One year I wore a skirt, pantyhose, and heels (as a man) to work for Halloween. One of my co-workers paid a LOT of attention to me. He basically followed me around the building for the hour or two of the day. That was kind of weird for me and for his assistant, who normally stays by his side.

[MonicaPVD]

This has happened to me several times. Seems to me like these are horny, not very subtle men who assume that if you are a CD then you must be a promiscuous kinkster. Most likely addicted to porn and probably the kind of guy who engages in anonymous sex in video booths and such. Much more of a nuisance than dangerous. I once had a young guy follow me through a store, then to my car and when I confronted him he said, point blank: "You are gorgeous. Let's go back to my place. I always wanted a blowjob from a tranny." I couldn't decide between being deeply offended or start laughing hysterically.

[Karmen]

I was followed on a few occasions on my night walks, but left alone after I started running away. Only once a guy followed me so persistently, I couldn't get rid of him and of course, I couldn't outrun him in heels. When he caught me, he tried to talk me into going with him to his place.

[Kalisopwith]

MAlls and stores dont want this happening any more than we do. They can't take our money with this going on and will take care of people like this. Glad you have your eyes up and aware!!!

[Lygophilia]

The count was 2 men and the ironic part is that I wasn't dressed. One wanted to have sex and the other was even more so aggressive to the point that if I didn't have sex with him, then he threaten to cut my genitals off. They both drove in vehicles, preying on me.

[Linda E. Woodworth]

I was followed by a man and his girlfriend in a mall in Atlanta years ago during SCC. They were making dispiriting comments loud enough for me to hear.

At the time I didn't carry anything with me for my protection and I admit I didn't think of calling Mall Security.

I just continued walking while watching them in the glass storefronts. I had made the decision to defend myself if it came to that. Luckily they got tired of this and left.

Now I don't leave the house without some form of protection. (Please send a Private Message if you'd like details)

[Sometimes Steffi]

I do have a word of caution for men and women in this situation. If someone is really interested in stalking you, it may not be best to flee to your vehicle. In my state for a mere $2.00 one can get from DMV the name and address of the registered owner of a vehicle. It may be best to go to mall security. Stalking is stalking, whether stalking a man or a woman.

I'd be surprised if that was still true. I did consulting work for a local DMV over 20 year ago, and one of my jobs was supporting their Driver Privacy Protection Act initiative. This act restricted who could access your driver's licence and auto registration information. I know that it was a state law, but I'm not sure if it was also a Federal law.

I just checked. It is a Federal law.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driver%27s_Privacy_Protection_Act

[Patience]

Ugh. I was shopping in a clothing store in drab (nails painted, as usual) looking at men's shoes when I look over and there’s this guy just standing there, looking at me. I just looked back at him. That made him self conscious enough to move on, but when I started looking at another section, there he was again. Awkward stares again. He did follow me into the women’s section, but I think being in that section was a bit too much for him, so the pursuit ended there.

I kept shopping and even bought something, but looking over my shoulder the entire time.

[5150 Girl]

I had a guy come to my kiosk and at first he starts in about how pretty I am, but then he starts in with "would you like to F***." I tell him I'm married he keeps on, and I kept trying to steer the conversion back to the product. Finally he says "Ill pay you." Then I get real stern with him, "It's not going to happen" and then he takes off down the mall. I told security about him as soon as an officer came by.

[wendy]

oh man, this topic reminds me of a scary incident several years ago.

My wife was attending an evening class so I had the whole evening to myself. What better way than to bring Wendy out for the evening. So I got dressed up, and since it was winter, it became dark earlier. So after I ate I decided that I'll take a walk around the neighbourhood. As I was walking back to our house, I noticed this white 4 door buick drive by, and then turn into the alley. I didn't think much of it.

I puttered around the house, and then around 9 pm I got into my vehicle in the garage in the back to go pick up my wife. As I turned out, this white 4 door buick was parked really close to our back fence. I couldn't see who it was as our back door motion light blinded my sight. As I slowly drove down the alley, the buick then made its way down the other direction.

I really shudder at the thought as to what this person was doing parked creepily behind our back fence, and he must've been parked there for a while until I drove out. Was this person spying on me ? I really don't want to know what he was doing in his car either.

Good news is since that episode, nothing else has come up.

[honey1036]

omg me too!!! all the time ... maybe just be ready to run?

[faltenrock]

Yes those events happened to me quite many times, it's always a guy, never a woman. I some cases stey start taöking, like'you look very nice' or 'what's your plan for tonight' and so on.

However, when out in public I'm super sensitive and feel right away when someone has more than just one eye on me.

[Roxanne Lanyon]

I do not intend to "downplay" this issue, but I do have to note that sometimes we girls may be a little overworried at times. We see things that may be just a normal occurance, and apply some nefarious conotations to it, that really just are not there!
But, at other times, it pays to worry! There are strange people out there, and we do need to be alert! Oh girls, we need to never go places alone, but be with our sisiters!
Then, there are other times, when a girl like me would adore some sweet, gentle attention once in a while! (smile!)
Roxanne Lanyon

"As Sweet as She Can Be"

[sometimes_miss]

Absolutely one of the most definitive genuine female experiences you can have! Being followed by a creepy guy! Enjoy! And remember how it feels. Because a lot of us have at one time or another, followed some hot woman for at least a bit, who had no idea who we were, and undoubtedly felt uneasy because of it.
As a teen, I did it all the time. Walking down the street, in the mall, on the beach, on the boardwalk, I didn't feel I was doing anything wrong at all, enjoying watching a pretty girl in a hot outfit just walking alone. I never even considered how they must have felt, way back then.

[Alice Torn]

Sometimes Miss, i did the same thing a number of times when younger. Followed a lady waitress with fantastic long legs in hose , who was walking to work. On my bicycle stated about 250 feet behind her. Then went to the restaurant, and wrote her a letter, telling all about myself (totally non sexual things), and asking if we could be friends. never heard form her. Lucky i was not warned to stay away! ANother time, agirl at a roller rink, when i was about 19 or 20, i, and a few guy buddies followed her family's car for many many miles, to her small town, before finally we turned around, realizing the stupidity of it. I was stalked by a woman with mental problems for a while once. It is a bad feeling it causes, and i am sorry i caused women to go through a little of it.

[sweetdreams]

I had something like this happen. It was Halloween a couple of years ago. Wife and I were in a mall at a restaurant having dinner. I was dressed up but not with the intent of trying to fool anyone. I'm really dolled up but it was clear that I was a male in a dress. Near the end of dinner I head to the men's washroom. It's empty and I head into the stall (need to sit with all the stuff I had on). No more than about 10 or 15 seconds the bathroom door opens, there's a silent pause, then some male says "shit", turns around and leaves. I never saw who it was. The timing was like someone saw me heading into the washroom and decided to follow me in. Not sure what he had in mind. Just really weird.

[JulieB]

M/O of guys cruising it sounds like.