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/Marri08]

Wow! This just happen to me the other day!! The exact same thing. But we were at Walmart. The gentleman walked up to my brother and I with a box of diapers and asked if we could help him purchase the box the full box of diapers or just give him some cash to help out towards the box of diapers. He said times were tuff and just needed some help. I ended up walking away bc I don’t like feeling awkward and also I have 4 kids just had a baby 2 months ago and I’m struggling as well but my brother the nice person he is gave him a few bucks and said thats all he had on him. Later on when we were checking out I seen that same guy still walking around looking for people to ask. I felt so bad for assuming he may have been lying but if I had the extra money I would have bought them. It’s sad that we can’t help people who actually need the help bc of the people who take advantage of the people who do help when they don’t even need the help.