how threatened do strangers make you feel?

[TilMorrow]

Well I guess I am kinda afraid of strangers due to two reasons. The first being I'm slightly paranoid of things as I'm overly cautious. The second being the awkwardness that is to follow once greetings have been expressed. Seriously. It's like a deafening silence of intense uneasiness as either party has no clue what may interest the other as a topic of discussion or interest. Really, really off-putting. But once we get past that or even can establish a common ground for talking then it's easier to interact with the person whom was previously a stranger.

 

[Angie7F]

I am not scared at all. I dont know if that is a good thing, but what fun would life be if you did not meet new people?
But then again, I am very picky about the kind of people I like to hang out with, so i already eliminate a lot of people before i get close to them. (Not scared of them, but very picky)

 

[Dimitriov]

Personally? No. It's VERY rare for me to feel intimidated.

For one thing I am a pretty big guy... I don't work out a lot but I have pretty broad shoulders and a pretty big chest (so people are more likely to be intimidated by me).

Also I took martial arts throughout my teens. That doesn't mean that I think I can beat anyone up (or at least not any more than the average guy who watches action movies does ), but rather I have some experience with getting hurt, getting hit, and minimizing that damage. Any real martial arts instructor is going to tell you NOT to fight except as an absolute last resort.

But mostly, I have spent a number of years working in a downtown convenience store (including many night shifts) so I am pretty used to dealing with: homeless people, drunks, "tough guys" trying to pick fights, drunk people, crack heads, junkies and various street criminals... etc.

So I have been yelled at, and threatened, and had to break up fights in my store. And even had to physically throw people out.

So I am pretty used to people and situations that would likely feel threatening to others.


Despite the extreme examples, the fact is you can simply talk to most people as if they were... y'know people, and things will be fine.

 

[EHKOS]

I have wide, crazy looking eyes and long hair, plus I'm 6'3" and overweight. I make a lot of people uncomfortable but oddly enough kids are fine around me. They'll smile at me and stuff, makes me feel good. Although it also makes me feel good when snooty adults look at me worriedly like I'm about to pull out an AK-47 and shoot up the grocery

 

[Insanity72]

I don't feel threatened, but like someone said earlier, i may be a bit paranoid and i immediately think of what I would do in certain scenarios based f what they could do.

 

[DancePuppets]

Part of the problem is that the way society is means that many women worry a bit about their safety when approached by men they don't know. The fact is that even if only a very small percentage of men are jerks that is enough for women to legitimately fear for their safety. Moral of the story if you spot a man being a jerk ask him to stop as he's damaging your chances of meeting potentially interesting women.

 

[game-lover]

Sorta. I'd say I'm more so when night falls than in daylight.

Also, as a general rule, I'm more wary of strange men than women.

But I'd say it depends on the circumstances. And I guess the person?

For example, if I were the second girl in your friend's situation, OP, I doubt I'd freak. In fact, it'd be nice as dude... walking home at night? Always uncomfortable for me. Be nice to have company.

Of course, if I wasn't attracted, I wouldn't wanna encourage him or whatever in case he thought he had a shot and wanted to go in with me or something similar.

 

[Libra]

Very threatened. I'm firmly stuck in the "trust gap": I don't trust other people, therefore I avoid contact with them, and thus become lonely and more paranoid.

Of course, having OCD doesnt help. Refusing to shake people's hands generally doesn't make a conversation start any more pleasant.

 

[Techno Squidgy]

Strangers feeling threatened of me? Not often, slightly more since I got my bike jacket, but for the most part I'm just another guy on the street.
I generally feel no threat from strangers. The last time I felt threatened by a stranger was about 5 years ago, when I was carrying my guitar home from a friends house, in an unfamiliar part of town. A group of teenagers who felt they were hardest guys decided to try and fuck with me on my way back to the bus station.
Fortunately these guys did not expect me to react the way I did, which was to turn to them, stare the biggest one in the eye and say "If you're lucking for trouble, you've found it.". Now normally that wouldn't intimidate anyone, but for whatever reason they decided I really wasn't worth their time. Probably because back then I didn't sleep well and looked like a meth addict in withdrawal, with dark rings around my eyes, really bad hair, and I think my clothes being ripped probably gave the impression I was something of a fighter.

 

[DoomyMcDoom]

I don't fear people, of course I also don't hold any fear of death anymore, I've almost died in so many different situations it's getting kinda silly, only one of those was caused by a stranger.

Of course, I also tend to develope wide ranging reputation as a guy who is good to have around, and is a fun guy to chill with... People tend not to want me to be hurt, and I really have nothing to take, so anyone robbing me would leave with maybe a $5 bill and a couple of cigarillos.

"Fear is the mind killer." after all.

 

[Brainwreck]

A little awkward, not threatened though.
I've been attacked on the street before, and unless they're bringing a knife I'm not all that worried about what would happen if I got assaulted (because I can roll with a punch and run well... we're not all badasses).

Strangers do seem quite uneasy around me though. Hard to imagine a 5'6 guy being intimidating... must be the haircut.

 

[Bat Vader]

I am almost positive that I have Social Anxiety Disorder so I feel very threatened by strangers. Especially if someone looks at me and I feel like they are judging me. It doesn't help that I am overweight too which adds to my anxiety. I don't even leave the house unless I need to go to work or I need to go to GameStop or buy groceries.

When I do go to buy groceries I need to have either a friend or one of my family members come with me because if I don't I get scared that everyone is looking at me and judging me. I can't even pay the cashier because I am to scared they will look at me or talk to me. It doesn't help that I have minimal to no social skills whatsoever.

My dating life is nonexistent. I had to have a friend of mine tell a woman I liked her because I was to scared she would insult me or make fun of me if I did so. Thankfully, she is already in a relationship because I am to socially inept to even know how to date anyone. It doesn't help that I have trust issues and I would be waiting for the person I am dating to betray me.

 

[MetalGenocide]

My crosshairs are always red on real life. But, I'm prepared. 9mil, concealable knife, 2 emergency shivs and knuckles.

Cap: ace of spades
Yeah, I already have a few of those as well.

 

[SuperSuperSuperGuy]

I wouldn't call it "threatened", but I really hate strangers. The vast majority of people that I see on the streets are not people I want to associate with. I also tend to give them the "guilty until proven innocent" treatment, so unless they can prove to me that they're not an incompetent, inconsiderate idiot, I tend to assume that they are. Not that I'm not open to being proven wrong, of course, but better safe than sorry.

 

[Cazza]

In the day in public places I'm fine. If it dark though or not a public I feel threatened by everyone.

I once had to walk home at area 11-12 at night. My area I believe is safe I have only heard about 2-3 violent assaults or what not in about 12 year of living here. No one was around with the odd car passing. One car stop. I was terrified. I picked up my pace. The driver lowered his window and ask for where a street was. I tried to appear calm. Made sure I was arms reach from the passengers side even though the driver was the only one in the car. Said I didn't know where it was because I couldn't think straight. He drove off and I picked up my pace home.

That's the worst case of "stranger danger" I've had. Otherwise I'm always in a group whenever I go out of my comfort safe zone.

 

[CrimsonBlaze]

Pretty much this, however, not as cold or callous, mind you. I can talk and hang out with people that I don't know, but I'm always vigilant to their behavoir and words, until I get to know them better.

It's just like Gregory always says...

 

[krazykidd]

Well, if they're well-groomed and wearing a nice suit or a uniform of some sort, then of course I can trust them! It's those dirty, homeless-looking ones that concern me, and the ones with too-baggy pants.

J/k, but it's probably subconsciously true

Really? It's the opposite for me , the nicer a person looks , the more i am wary of them . Why? Because those are the people NO ONE notices . Everyone is staring at the hobo , is he tries anything everyone is ready . But the guy in the suite? He gets a free pass .

 

[dyre]

Well, if they're well-groomed and wearing a nice suit or a uniform of some sort, then of course I can trust them! It's those dirty, homeless-looking ones that concern me, and the ones with too-baggy pants.

J/k, but it's probably subconsciously true

Really? It's the opposite for me , the nicer a person looks , the more i am wary of them . Why? Because those are the people NO ONE notices . Everyone is staring at the hobo , is he tries anything everyone is ready . But the guy in the suite? He gets a free pass .

Yeah, but a guy in a nice suit wouldn't really profit much from knifing you for your wallet. I mean, he already has a nice suit!

 

[Frission]

I got a crew cut a few months ago, and scared black people clean across the street because I looked like a neo-nazi.

So no, I'm not intimidated by strangers, strangers are intimidated by ME.

I don't like it. ;__;

Well,if you're anything like your avatar, I'm not surprised.

"I just wanted you to love me" indeed.

OP: I'm not paranoid. I sometimes chat people up when I'm waiting in line. Then again, while I'm not a paragon of athleticism, I'm still rather well built. Sometimes I wonder if I intimidate people... I regularly come back home late at night carrying several heavy bags, and I've noticed people on those occasions avoid eye contact and stay away. What in the world do they think are in my bags?

 

[The Funslinger]

Well, if they're well-groomed and wearing a nice suit or a uniform of some sort, then of course I can trust them! It's those dirty, homeless-looking ones that concern me, and the ones with too-baggy pants.

J/k, but it's probably subconsciously true

Really? It's the opposite for me , the nicer a person looks , the more i am wary of them . Why? Because those are the people NO ONE notices . Everyone is staring at the hobo , is he tries anything everyone is ready . But the guy in the suite? He gets a free pass .

Yeah, but a guy in a nice suit wouldn't really profit much from knifing you for your wallet. I mean, he already has a nice suit!

Read American Psycho, and then tell me that.

OT: Nah, I'm alright with strangers. Barring my one stabbing, they never give me any trouble. Mainly because I seem to get pleasant reactions from people. The only time that wasn't the case was when I asked an old lady for directions, and she looked really scared and demanded I leave her alone.

I get slightly on edge around chavvy looking people, though.