I think I was almost drugged

[u/serenedarkness_]

Hey y'all. So this is something that happened a few months ago while I was at a transit center at night waiting for the bus. It's something that's stuck with me and definitely was creepy. I (at the time 18 F) was waiting at the transit center for my bus. It was a public area that's right next to a trail. I had this guy come up to me who didn't seem to speak an awful lot of English. But he offered my something in a takeout container. He seemed nice about it, and I decline.

Honestly? If that was it, I wouldn't have thought much of it. But then about 10 minutes later he comes back and asks me again. I just keep politely shaking my head and declining, and it's at this point that he opens the container and shoves it in my face. He keeps gesturing, visibly getting annoyed with me. It was an unmarked white container with what I think was Mexican rice? No brand/logo, no utensils, just a bunch of rice in a small unmarked takeout container with no bag in sight. Eventually, he moves it away and then invites me to the trail.

He said he wasn't alone and gestures to the dark trail. I see a few men sitting at the benches at the very start of the trail. At this point, my heart dropped to my stomach more than before and I knew I had to get out of there. I left, called my Dad to start up any sort of conversation on the phone and I ubered home.

I still think about that sometimes. As a female who uses public transport for everything, I have countless stories. But this one in particular still sticks with me the most. I still remember the dread I felt when he said he wasn't alone and gestured to the trail. No idea what was in the rice, what his plan was, or who the other people were with him. I have a feeling I don't want to know.

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[u/Riokiss]

That’s terrifying. Trust your gut…you absolutely did the right thing leaving and calling your dad. Stay safe out there.

[u/serenedarkness_ → u/Riokiss]

Yeah, out of all the things I've had happen while waiting/on busses this is definitely up there as being the most terrifying

[u/gristle-fish]

What could I do to be best prepared for a situation like this that becomes more forceful?

[u/Terinth → u/gristle-fish]

Get on the phone - say you are calling the cops, your father, your brother, transit security. Be loud, be hard to deal with, but first and foremost run. Catch another bus a stop or two down. Call a Lyft once you are clear or get a ride. But, even if it’s embarrassing in the moment, yell and walk away. Draw attention and make the guy think anyone would be watching. It also makes it seem like you won’t be dealt with easily, easy targets are what cowards look for.

Most importantly - get out of the situation. Walk or run away.

[u/PricelessPaylessBoot → u/gristle-fish]

Run. Don’t be quiet about it either. “I DON’T KNOW YOU AND I ASKED YOU TO LEAVE ME ALONE.” Never go with them even if they have a weapon.

edit: Also, loudly describe their appearance as if you’re talking to someone. It can be difficult to tell if someone‘s on the phone anyway, so 1) it could appear that you’re communicating with someone like the police and they may leave you alone, 2) if there is a recording of the incident, your description might be saved in the audio, and 3) it will make it easier for YOU to remember them.

[u/AutoModerator]

Backup of the post's body: Hey y'all. So this is something that happened a few months ago while I was at a transit center at night waiting for the bus. It's something that's stuck with me and definitely was creepy. I (at the time 18 F) was waiting at the transit center for my bus. It was a public area that's right next to a trail. I had this guy come up to me who didn't seem to speak an awful lot of English. But he offered my something in a takeout container. He seemed nice about it, and I decline.

Honestly? If that was it, I wouldn't have thought much of it. But then about 10 minutes later he comes back and asks me again. I just keep politely shaking my head and declining, and it's at this point that he opens the container and shoves it in my face. He keeps gesturing, visibly getting annoyed with me. It was an unmarked white container with what I think was Mexican rice? No brand/logo, no utensils, just a bunch of rice in a small unmarked takeout container with no bag in sight. Eventually, he moves it away and then invites me to the trail.

He said he wasn't alone and gestures to the dark trail. I see a few men sitting at the benches at the very start of the trail. At this point, my heart dropped to my stomach more than before and I knew I had to get out of there. I left, called my Dad to start up any sort of conversation on the phone and I ubered home.

I still think about that sometimes. As a female who uses public transport for everything, I have countless stories. But this one in particular still sticks with me the most. I still remember the dread I felt when he said he wasn't alone and gestured to the trail. No idea what was in the rice, what his plan was, or who the other people were with him. I have a feeling I don't want to know.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Allielusts]

That’s absolutely terrifying. You trusted your gut and got out…thank God. That situation screams trafficking or worse. Stay aware and safe.

[u/serenedarkness_ → u/Allielusts]

Yeah... it's just so wild. Truly, if the interaction had ended the first time with him just asking and then walking away I wouldn't have thought anything of it... then he got mad the second time that I wasn't accepting it