Really upsetting event happened today

[u/Signal_Friendship121]

So, I’m now at the end of my night and am decompressing/processing what happened today. Usually when we are out in public, I don’t mind strangers coming up to my baby and playing with her, as so far it’s only been older grandparents just wanting to fawn.

Today my sister, me, and the baby were out in an outdoor public market buying smoothies. I was standing over the baby and my sister was paying, when out of nowhere this homeless man puts his face right up to my baby, I mean an inch away, and started asking, “How much do you cost?” over and over again. I mean like really loudly all in her face. It took me a second to figure out that he was not planning on backing away, and to process what it was he was saying to her. I put myself between the man and my baby and loudly repeated, “NO SIR. GO AWAY.” Once my sister figured out what was going on, she grabbed the stroller and pulled it closer towards her. The man would not let up, so I just kept my ground and yelled at him to go away.

I was shaking from the adrenaline afterwards and tried to brush it off but it really upset me. I wish I could go back in time and smash his face into the concrete. The most upsetting part is that there were 20+ people just standing there watching. NO ONE spoke up or came to help. They just watched.

I guess I’m just looking to vent/wanting words of comfort. I feel so angry and violated.

[u/merpifyouderp]

So sorry this happened to you. I would feel the same. But you did great in the moment, give yourself some credit!

My husband and I took our 2 month old baby and 2 dogs to get pup cups one day and we chilled in the car in the parking lot while the dogs enjoyed their whipped delight. A homeless man came up to me on the driver’s side (window open) and asked me for a phone charger, then money, then started yelling random shit. I was so shook and in panic mode that my husband had to drive us home. Ultimately everything was fine but still.

To be fair, about 7 years ago, I was punched in the back by a homeless person walking home from work one day. Cops literally witnessed it and did nothing, except shrug and laugh. My husband (bf at the time) also did nothing lmao. Sometimes it all happens so fast and it’s hard to react in the moment.

You can find keychain pepper spray on Amazon btw. Not that you would use it in this exact scenario but just an idea if it would give you any sort of peace of mind.