If a stranger walked up and started talking to you, what would you do?

Question

I visit the park a lot on my own, and very frequently some guy will walk up and start talking to me. I'm 15 and I don't have many friends, so I usually talk back.

It's kinda starting to freak me out... maybe it's just overwhelming that people talk to me where they didn't used to... I'm wondering if I should stop this contact with strangers or not.

But, anyway, what do you do when strangers talk to you?

There are usually a lot of people there, another thing I'm concerned about is my parents finding out I go to the park by myself... but that's another story. :P
Most of the people I meet are guys, ages 14-25. I am careful, none of them know exactly where I live, and (to my knowledge) I've never been followed.

Answer 1

This happens to me a lot too! I think its because I make eye contact with people and usually have "open" body language. I usually talk back, but keep it short and polite. I don't like striking up full conversation with strangers in places like the park, where they might start walking with you and you'll never be rid of them. If I'm on the train, or a plane, or in line at the supermarket, I will talk to them, because the activity has a sort of pre-determined ending point.

As a side note, if you are a 15 year old girl and grown men are talking to you, BE CAREFUL. There are LOTS of dangerous people out there, and I would be suspect of any grown man who starts talking to a teenager that he doesn't know.

Answer 2

Be sure there's a lot of people around you and never ever say anything about yourself that could give the stranger the wrong idea,and if you feel uncomfortable,just walk away,be very careful who you talk toand what you say.

Answer 3

I stay away from them if they're panhandlers or large men. I'll talk to someone if they're a friendly-looking female (ie, such as someone looking for directions), or if they're a kid (but not a large male teenager). I dislike being rude to people, but my safety absolutely comes first, and if I don't feel comfortable in a situation, then I just get away from them as quickly as possible. Sometimes I just give a quick excuse - that I'm late for something and in a HUGE rush.

Answer 4

I usually just walk away. The strangers that tried to talk to me at that age were pervs.

Answer 5

be careful always be on defense, a lot of people can read you like a comic book and have you eating out of their hands in no time. when you come upon people like that best to return your greeting and keep going. you re awful young to wind up in a morgue. think about it.

Answer 6

start a conversation...make sure there are other ppl around and not just you two...if its only the 2 of you tell him you have to go....but if there are some ppl around try to make a new friend =D....but yea i always take to strangers its the best

Answer 7

I guess that would depend on whether you feel threatened.

Sometimes, age and sex (of the person) compared to your age and sex might
play into it. Also, where you are at.

Avoid isolated places.

Answer 8

If they ask for directions I will tell them. If they ask anything private I will ignore them politely. If they get too close I will back off.

Answer 9

BEING THE AGE THAT YOU ARE I THINK IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS THING THAT YOU ARE DOING.EVEN THOUGH I AM OLD ENOUGH TO BE YOUR GRANDMOTHER, UNLESS I FEEL THE LORD WANTS ME TO MINISTER TO A PARTICULAR STRANGER, I KEEP MY DISTANCE.

Answer 10

I talk to people everywhere I go. Some talk, others will not.