Getting stalked in bookstores?

[aubrey]

What is it with me and getting stalked in bookstores? I tend not to go to them much anymore for that reason. I usually to go to a few different sections throughout the store and notice a guy keeps hanging out like 20 feet away from me, usually half-way behind the end of an aisle, pretending to be looking at something. Then I go to a different section and 30 seconds later...there he is, strategically placed. This has happened a few times and just happened yesterday again. I looked down the aisle straight at him after the 3rd attempt to get away from him and gave him the get the +*&^% away from me look lol then he finally went away. Of course it begs the question...is it because he clocked me or do I just attract creeps? Has anyone else had creepy stalkers in a store when you're just minding your business?

[Sinnyo]

Come to think of it, I did once and I had only half-realised at the time. o_O I was browsing aimlessly as I am often wont to do, and a fairly strange individual had been lingering about nearby. I didn't pay him much heed before, but sci-fi has an armchair nearby and as I made my way to browse there there he proceeded to sit down and cough, loudly, every half a minute. I certainly noticed that. It was probably an innocent quirk or sign of a badly-handled illness, but did nothing to help settle my muffled suspicions.

I decided not to make eye contact and just finished up my browsing - it was near closing and so there were a few staff wandering about. I decided not to think any more of it - I prefer not to let my imagination run wild when I don't know something for sure - but I also forget how feminine (and how strange) I might look at times. Since people will either read me as a woman or a transsexual, I'm not in the best of camps. ^^;

[Muffin]

The whole time I was reading that (op) I was picturing some cute young bookworm guy.. but as it turns out :-/ ...creepy stalkers need to be cuter.. and more approachable, more shy than creepy as well! ^___^
^____0

[Sinnyo]

I'd happily be stalked by cute girls in the paranormal fiction section. That sounds like fun.
Sadly, I guess we don't get to choose our lurkers. :/

[aubrey]

Good point Muffin. If he was cute and approached me I might not be calling him a stalker!

Sinnyo...if only!

[pheonix]

What is it with me and getting stalked in bookstores? I tend not to go to them much anymore for that reason. I usually to go to a few different sections throughout the store and notice a guy keeps hanging out like 20 feet away from me, usually half-way behind the end of an aisle, pretending to be looking at something. Then I go to a different section and 30 seconds later...there he is, strategically placed. This has happened a few times and just happened yesterday again. I looked down the aisle straight at him after the 3rd attempt to get away from him and gave him the get the +*&^% away from me look lol then he finally went away. Of course it begs the question...is it because he clocked me or do I just attract creeps? Has anyone else had creepy stalkers in a store when you're just minding your business?

You're overreacting to a heterosexual mating ritual.  The bookstore approach is pretty common and is actually a decent way to find a match.  1) The fact they are even reading books in this day and age indicates intelligence *and* 2)if you're both into the same genre there is some clear common ground.  He's not stalking you, he's trying to get your attention.  If you aren't into him the proper response is just entirely be oblivious to him.  If he approaches to talk. then you get to give the snide "get the +*&^% away from me look ".

If you like him, the appropriate move is to make eye contact and smile.  Typically you make eye contact, then look down quickly and then slow burn back up into his eyes.  If he's into you he'll be there within seconds.  If not, he will run for the hills.

[Muffin]

*feels optimistic and adds books to my shopping list*.