If someone you didn't know well came up to you and asked, "Let's act like we're friends. I think someone is following me," what actions might you consider taking?

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I would wonder why they were relying on a shrimp like me for protection, I'm five foot two and weigh about 105lbs. I would suggest we move to a more populous public place. That's about the best I could do other than dial 911.

Now if that someone was a minor child that would elicit a different response from me. I would suggest the same as above but I would be shielding the child until I got them someplace safe and public. I would try to physically fight another adult to keep them from the child, I'd probably lose but I'd fight.

If I don't get a bad feeling about them, I'd try to get them to go with me to a public place like a big store that has security cameras

Pretend we're friends, but not follow her to a second location.

That seems like a good way to lose a kidney.

once i got a pizza. as i was getting into my car, this small-ish dude came rusnni g up. “help! he’s tryna kill me! please let me in and hit the gas!” he seemed terrified so i did. he really was being chased by a maniac, too. i let him off a few miles away. this was in mt. shasta.

Is this the hot question of the week? It's been asked multiple times in the last few days

Sure, let's go to the food court, I'll buy you a Dr. Pepper. The more the merrier, as they say.

loudly announce "hey if you're following this person, i don't know them, please leave me out of it"

Woman here. Pretend I’m their friend and assist them in getting into a cab/uber so they can leave without being followed. If they did not want to leave safely, I would assume they were lying about being concerned for their safety and remove myself from them and the situation.

I'd play along until I had reason to doubt her story.

As a woman, I'd absolutely do it, and quickly walk with them to somewhere safely populous to call a cab or something to get them home safe.

This happened to me on my college campus. I walked with her for a while until she felt comfortable. Everything seemed to turn out fine.

Maybe this is my ASD, but I think my first question would be "why do you think somebody is following you?", and my second question would be "what do you want me to do, to make us appear as friends?" Also, does this mean that you don't actually want to be friends with me?

Third time I’m seeing this

I won’t trust her. I’d assume she is trying to kidnap me and just make a run for it or scream “stop there criminal scum, you have violated the law”

I’m with them until they feel safe

Act like we are friends and go to a crowded/public place like a mall or department store

Another bot answering it's own questions.

• tell em to fuck off.

Immediately head for a crowded public spot and tell them to come with you. You have no idea if the person is telling the truth or not. Hand in my pocket just in case. Protect yourself.

i already answered this in a other thread.. its a double edged sword. you could help protect the girl from being attacked or kidnapped etc.. or its a trap and she knows the attacker and you get your ass kicked and knocked out and robbed... and yes it does happen all the time. there are organized gangs and people who do this for a living.

I'll escort them to a safe place with lighting, people and security. That's as far as I go.

Fwb! Finally.

make sure they get out of that situation

Help them

I’d ask who she thought was following her. Find a reason to start walking towards the person. Confirm they’re following us. If so, it’s confrontation time.

"Sucks to be you" and walk away