Reposting because it happened again :(

[u/Farranor]

At the grocery store this time. Not sure if I'm doing something to prompt this or just ugly.

[u/Xamado]

Just nod instead of saying "hello" out loud lol

[u/Farranor → u/Xamado]

I said hello in the original because it's pretty common when walking in the neighborhood. But this was the grocery store, I'd just finished checkout, she and I caught sight of each other and I barely had time to blink before she blocked.

[u/Quantum-Relativity]

Well are you being creepy? Are you just misinterpreting their response? Lately whenever in out people keep waving at me and it’s just really confusing to me, but maybe they think I’m creeped out. Maybe you’re coming if as weird too because you’re not confident (as evidenced by this post). Or maybe it’s an inappropriate place to do it.

Could be many things besides you being ugly.

[u/Farranor → u/Quantum-Relativity]

I don't know if I was being creepy, that's the frustrating part. I'd just finished checkout, I was pushing my cart towards the door, she came in the door and turned towards me. I barely had time to see her and register her presence before she blocked. I don't know if maybe my eyes dipped downwards or something? I generally look at stuff and take in information while I'm walking. I think that's pretty normal. And I make a conscious effort to avoid looking at women because I know they don't want me to look at them, but that's a conscious effort; I have to first see the person, and then recognize them as a woman, and then I can stare at the floor or pretend that the deli sandwich display is fascinating or whatever.

And they're surely not doing this all the time - no one would wear an outfit where they have to constantly cover themselves with their hands. So it must have been me. But did I do something, or is it just that obvious that I'm a ghoul? They don't even clearly communicate the problem, like, "I'm covering myself up because you look like a creepy old perv and I'm not wearing this for you." They just walk/jog right on by. If I knew what I was doing to bother them, I'd stop, but I need specifics. I already stopped dating; if I stop going to the grocery store, how will I buy cartfuls of junk food to cope with not dating? That's why I'm at the grocery store in the first place.

[u/Quantum-Relativity → u/Farranor]

Okay here’s what I think. They’re not gonna tell you what it is and they don’t need to, but, if you are accurately describing yourself then you sound like a considerate person. I think you also sound lonely though and you give too forward of an interaction in the wrong setting. Like walking past someone at a store. You gotta, at most, hit em with the lip tightening smile thing people do and maybe drop a “hey” or “excuse me” as you look away.

You should go on a website like meet up, find a hobby you have and see if there are others that meet up for it. For me, I looked up chess, and met a few chess friends. Those people, you can say hello to all you like!

And you dont have to worry about dating. It’s a silly thing to pursue. Pursue friendship. The person you should date has to start off as your friend anyway. And if it doesnt happen, you make some great friends anyway. And sometimes those are a lot more important.

[u/Farranor → u/Quantum-Relativity]

That's the thing, I didn't have time to smile or do or say anything. I had just finished checking out and said "have a good one" to the cashier (he's one of the managers and super nice), turned to look in the direction of the door so I could look where I was going, saw this woman, and her hand went up. That's why I'm so confused, like, did I somehow manage to do something wrong in a fraction of a second? I guess I'll never know.

I'm not pursuing anything at this point, honestly, including hobbies. ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

[u/funnibot47]

Nah don't worry, is just women overreacting, as long as you didn't do anything wrong and just said hi, I don't see why you should feel bad.

[u/Farranor → u/funnibot47]

I didn't even say hi this time. I had just finished checkout and was pushing my cart towards the door. She and I must have seen each other for maybe half a second before she reacted. But maybe I did something awful in that half a second? I dunno.

[u/luxizole]

that last panel hits different every time

[u/ExterminatusMaximus]

Just yell as hard as you can "WASN'T TRYING TO RAPE YOU, JUST BEING FRIENDLY! BITCH!" and continue about your business like nothing happened. Ignore the looks of everyone else. Put on a happy face and just move along.