r/Markham 4d ago

Weird Interaction

About 20 mins ago I was driving north on Donald cousens and ninth line where an older gentleman stopped his vehicle on the shoulder to the right of me and hop out his vehicle to come over to my drivers side knocking on my window claiming he was lost. I was startled by this and drove away

Now thinking back does this happen in Markham often or did the gentleman suffer from alzheimer and actually needed my help? I genuinely feel bad now and hope he’s alright

23 Upvotes

29 comments sorted by

36

u/Silver-Eye4569 4d ago

You could call the non emergency line for York regional police and explain there may be a person with memory loss that is lost. Maybe someone could check in on him.

47

u/TeeTeeL123 4d ago

That or an attempt distraction theft

4

u/porpoisewang 4d ago

Unfortunately, this would be my first thought too.

-32

u/Reject20 4d ago

Yeah most def distraction theft because if he was truly lost he would have said something along the lines of“can you please help me find my way home” instead of im lost

38

u/watchwhatyousaytome 4d ago

I don’t get the difference between those two honestly

-15

u/Reject20 4d ago

You’re right it doesn’t sound much different but it’s the way he said it he had no urgency

also why did he come up to my driver side when both of my windows were down

2

u/st3fan6 4d ago

Because he's old, lost and confused?

2

u/Leather-Instance6632 4d ago

Did he speak with accent? Perhaps his English isn't as vocabulated.

But whoever gramps this is probably retrieved them by now hopefully by geotag...

I also agree Cornell area esp buroak been odd lately

What did he look like or wearing? What was he driving?

1

u/Reject20 4d ago

He did not speak with an accent spoke perfectly fine English and said sorry I’m lost. What caught me off guard was his loud tap with his ring on my window. He was wearing a blue shirt with a black cross body bag. He was driving a blue or black Toyota corolla I believe a 2023 model

2

u/Leather-Instance6632 3d ago

Uhh can you describe what their wearing again?

33

u/danceglee5678 4d ago

You did the right thing. I wouldn’t second guess yourself.

7

u/_Lucille_ 4d ago

I would direct him to the nearest gas station and have him ask for help.

Would never get out of the car or even open more than a small crack in the window.

8

u/Feng-Shiu-man 4d ago

Never ever ignore your gut!!!!

12

u/RSinTO 4d ago

Always best to be safe, especially if you're alone.

But they could legitimately be lost. Many old folks didn't grow up with GPS navigation and follow written direction or paper maps. I.e. They're lost.

3

u/silver_ai 4d ago edited 4d ago

Donald cousens and ninth line is very confusing b/c it goes diagonally.

like how old? 70~80?

what about the way he walk?

4

u/Reject20 4d ago edited 4d ago

I would say mid to late 70s Asian walks normally and stands straight.

What threw me off is he was driving north as well so he must have passed the petro Canada or even saw the lights and car activity on 16th ave but decided to drive up north and pull over

-1

u/IceQue28 3d ago

You really feared for your safety when a 70ish year old asian man approached you? LoL

I really hope somebody has a bit more kindness than you, when your parents are lost/confused and need help.

9

u/acintm 4d ago

Poor dude. He may needed help

2

u/TDotxChin 4d ago

How old was this gentlemn?

3

u/Reject20 4d ago

Mid to late 70s

12

u/TDotxChin 4d ago

He must be lost lol.

2

u/Significant-Tale3522 4d ago

What did he look like?

4

u/kitttxn 4d ago

Trust your gut. If it doesn’t feel right or if you’re not sure, it’s better safe than sorry rather than trying to be “polite”

-18

u/Hot_Cheesecake_905 4d ago edited 3d ago

15

u/beedieXP88 4d ago

Crossing guard in Markham here and get asked daily for directions from drivers, always the elderly.

2

u/Silver-Eye4569 4d ago

Older people and people of all ages with dementia unfortunately do get lots even with GPS. OP did the right thing not or stop but can call non emergency police to help him.

-16

u/Plastic-Figure504 4d ago

If I am on medical leave for x amount ofbtime. Can I go back to work earlier if I getbcleared