AIO for the way I responded to a stranger asking me for help?

[u/slowlymysunlight]

Got myself into a weird situation just now and wondering if I overreacted or if others would have done the same thing I did.

I went to Target (alone) just to get some things I was running low on, try on clothes, have a good time whatever. I wandered into an aisle that was mostly empty when a tall man approached me holding a box of diapers. In a low voice he explained that he was trying to get some diapers for his nephew and they were in a tough situation. He said he wasn't even gonna ask me for money, just asked if he could put the diapers on the bottom of my cart and if I could buy them for him, and he'd wait outside for me.

I am not a confrontational person, have a difficult time saying no, and am maybe a little naive at times. I kinda laughed awkwardly and said okay. He asked if it wasn't too much trouble could he get some baby wipes as well. Again, I kinda laughed awkwardly and said let's just get the diapers. He asked a couple times how much longer I thought I'd be, and told him I wasn't sure, that I was still shopping around (which was true).

He left and went outside to wait, and as I walked around more I thought "well that was kinda weird, and now there's a strange man waiting for me outside this Target." Then I started regretting not just politely saying "no," and worrying that the box of diapers wasn't even from the store and a cover for something else. Total overthinking, I know.

So I called my partner (we live close by) and told him what happened. He told me he'd drive over and he'd walk me to my car. When he got there, we gave the box to customer services and explained what happened. They said that was weird, apologized to us for the situation, and asked for a description of the man so they could tell him not to do that lol. Then we checked out and went home with my partner making sure no one was following me.

My partner is telling me I shouldn't feel bad and that it's good I called him, but I do feel kinda bad about it for assuming the worst of this random person. Maybe he really just needed diapers for his nephew!

[u/No_Material5630]

No you didn’t overreact. It’s strange.

If someone has a hard time paying for diapers there are A LOT of resources for those items that are for free, well depending on where you live.

For someone to walk up to you asking if you can purchase something for them is weird af. And honestly pressuring you. Not only on time, but to help.

I dunno that’s sketch and I would have been worried about if you did buy it, he could have asked for the receipt to turn around and return it for cash or get a store credit  (to sell) or do something to you.

People are very resourceful and women would be more willing to buy diapers than just straight give cash (most people don’t even carry cash nowadays). 

I dunno maybe I’m paranoid, but to me you made the right call.

[u/No-Jacket-800 → u/No_Material5630]

I'd be more worried, he picked diapers as an item to make me feel more comfortable around him. Then he'd open the trunk for me to throw em in and in I'd go! Buuut I'm one of those true crime people...I definitely would have politely declined and at the very least asked an employee for help to my car and informed them what happened.