A man exposed himself to me today

[EveHarrington]

A man exposed himself to me today in McDonald’s.

I think God is trying to tell me to not eat McDonald’s anymore as this is the second bad experience I’ve had at McDonald’s in the last few months.

Kidding aside.

The guy was sitting at the table next to mine. I answered a phone call and the guy made a “can you hear me now” joke because I was having a hard time hearing my phone. Part way into the conversation I noticed that the guy had exposed himself under the table. These are high tables with bar stools, very open. I quickly grabbed my tray and told the dining room attendant. She then immediately told her manager.

I left pretty quickly as I was quite triggered. (I’m still shaking and this happened about 2 hours ago). I had a breakdown in the car.

I then questioned if I did the right thing. I could have “easily” taken a picture or then reported it to the police. But then I realized I did the right thing. I reported it to the manager and then left so I could calm myself. Taking a picture could have made things worse if the guy chose to verbally or physically attack me. (I was in a back “corner” and there was no easy exit except around him.) I’m already going through a destabilizing period potentially as my meds were drastically cut due to serious side effects.

I realize I did what was right for me in the moment. I wish I could have done more, but given my precarious stability, it wasn’t in my best interest at the moment. Precarious stability in that my med levels are being cut to pre-hospital levels so another hospitalization isn’t out of the question if I can’t stabilize with what I’ve got.

I guess I’m just looking for some support. Please don’t blame me for not doing more. I’m still quite triggered and shaking. Thank you.

 

[Chris-duck]

Ugh, I'm sorry that happened. I think you did the right thing though. You reported it to staff while keeping yourself safe, I don't think anybody can judge you for that.

 

[EveHarrington]

Ugh, I'm sorry that happened.

You reported it to staff while keeping yourself safe, I don't think anybody can judge you for that.

Thank you so much for your support!

 

[EveHarrington]

Has anyone else had to deal with this?

 

[NightSky]

You handled it like a rock star. Are you kidding? If that happened around me I would be totally frozen. I would never report it to anyone. I feel like that’s super brave of you and I’m sorry that happened. Be kind to the parts of yourself that are triggered. ?

 

[EveHarrington]

You handled it like a rock star. Are you kidding? If that happened around me I would be totally frozen. I would never report it to anyone. I feel like that’s super brave of you and I’m sorry that happened. Be kind to the parts of yourself that are triggered. ?

Thank you so much for your support.

I had multiple meltdowns this evening and I’m still a bit shaky. I hope I can sleep tonight. At least I have therapy tomorrow so that I can work through it.

 

[ILoveLife]

So sorry Eve, that must've been terrible. :hug:

 

[EveHarrington]

So sorry Eve. :hug:

Thank you. :hug:

 

[bhm]

A man exposed himself to me today in McDonald’s.

I think God is trying to tell me to not eat McDonald’s anymore as this is the second bad experience I’ve had at McDonald’s in the last few months.

Kidding aside.

The guy was sitting at the table next to mine. I answered a phone call and the guy made a “can you hear me now” joke because I was having a hard time hearing my phone. Part way into the conversation I noticed that the guy had exposed himself under the table. These are high tables with bar stools, very open. I quickly grabbed my tray and told the dining room attendant. She then immediately told her manager.

I left pretty quickly as I was quite triggered. (I’m still shaking and this happened about 2 hours ago). I had a breakdown in the car.

I then questioned if I did the right thing. I could have “easily” taken a picture or then reported it to the police. But then I realized I did the right thing. I reported it to the manager and then left so I could calm myself. Taking a picture could have made things worse if the guy chose to verbally or physically attack me. (I was in a back “corner” and there was no easy exit except around him.) I’m already going through a destabilizing period potentially as my meds were drastically cut due to serious side effects.

I realize I did what was right for me in the moment. I wish I could have done more, but given my precarious stability, it wasn’t in my best interest at the moment. Precarious stability in that my med levels are being cut to pre-hospital levels so another hospitalization isn’t out of the question if I can’t stabilize with what I’ve got.

I guess I’m just looking for some support. Please don’t blame me for not doing more. I’m still quite triggered and shaking. Thank you.

Omg thats horrible! I agree you did the right thing by reporting it and making sure you were safe, but that's disturbing, and I hope staff addressed the person or checked cameras, and I'd recomend never going back there as predators tend to frequent places, omg I hope you're alright :(

 

[EveHarrington]

Omg thats horrible! I agree you did the right thing by reporting it and making sure you were safe, but that's disturbing, and I hope staff addressed the person or checked cameras, and I'd recomend never going back there as predators tend to frequent places, omg I hope you're alright :(

I’m ok, just a bit shaken up. I’m not going back there again. I was there a few months ago and a woman started screaming at me because I wouldn’t let her borrow my cell phone. She told me I was the rudest person on earth. Let’s just say that I’m only going to Wendys from now on, lol, as I don’t have these sorts of problems there. I know the manager kicked him out of the restaurant. I know there are cameras but who knows if they got the right angle since it was under the table.

Maybe I’m being paranoid but I feel like he picked me out as someone he could do this to. He picked the table in front of mine and sat down after I did. He tried to talk to me while I was on the phone. It creeps me out because I tend to be friendly with people in public.

 

[bhm]

I’m ok, just a bit shaken up. I’m not going back there again. I was there a few months ago and a woman started screaming at me because I wouldn’t let her borrow my cell phone. She told me I was the rudest person on earth. Let’s just say that I’m only going to Wendys from now on, lol, as I don’t have these sorts of problems there. I know the manager kicked him out of the restaurant. I know there are cameras but who knows if they got the right angle since it was under the table.

Maybe I’m being paranoid but I feel like he picked me out as someone he could do this to. He picked the table in front of mine and sat down after I did. He tried to talk to me while I was on the phone. It creeps me out because I tend to be friendly with people in public.

unfortunately you're spot on with being selected, predator types exersize selection methods, thats unfortunately why they tend to get away with thier actions as long as they do til they're off and get reported, it was brave of you to speak out, If you feel up to it once you've settled a bit maybe think about making a police report with a discription? Theres a chance this creepy bloke is already on the radar and may have privious charges, just a thought ?

 

[Sweetleaf]

Eve, you totally did the right thing in that situation.

You did exactly what you needed to do to not get yourself hurt. Also, you did the right thing by reporting it to the staff - morally, that was the right move.

You prevented escalation, notified people who could do something about it, and got yourself out physically unharmed.

Good job.

I really wish it hadn't happened though. I dread shit like that happening.

I would definitely go over this incident with your therapist, psych, or whoever you see for mental health stuff. They might be able to help you adjust and stabilize so you can avoid hospitalization.

Edit: I want to add - even if you hadn't reported it to the staff, you'd be totally fine just running away. You have no responsibility other than keeping yourself safe. You tellin the staff is just a bonus "hey you did a good thing!" to add.