No doubt he was just looking for attention,but I don't blame you for being scared in light of recent happenings.

Wow, that IS creepy! Good thing you went into "protection mode". If I had been the greeter, I would have alerted the manager to watch them. But then, that would be profiling , wouldn't it?? Sorry, once they set foot inside the store, it's the store's right to follow through.
Goth is just really scary looking anyway. That's part of the attitude isn't it?. Attrack attention.

You never know what might happen these days and I can understand you being scared. Sorry your outing with the baby and your family was spoiled by that goof.

Anne

I'd have been scared to death to Leslie. Especially after what happened here in Omaha last month. I don't like to go where there's crowds anyway. Now even more so.
Leslie/NE

I'm just glad you are all okay. I don't ever want to hear about another shooting on TV. What kind of parents do these kids have?

My daughter and I had to go to Westroads in Omaha this past week. And she had to return some things to the store the shootings took place in.

As we passed the doors where all the memorials had sat...I got a shiver.

You wonder about everyone you see with a long coat.

I reminded myself several times that it could happen in ANY store we shop in.

Omaha is still very shaken by what happened there.

patti

Sorry you were so scared. In Santa Cruz,CA strange looking people, like Goths, are part of the scenery. You should take a walk down Pacific Mall downtown on a nice day. It is like every one is trying so hard to look even weirder then the other one, with all the tattoos, piercings, strange hair color and cuts plus totaly bizarre outfits. Most of the time I just shake my head and laugh.
Clare

freaky people scare me now that I'm 'older'. I think some of them may not me right in the head, due to drugs or whatever.

A lot of them don't act normal...just like the one who hollered that in the store.

Sure points out how very different things are in different regions of the country.

Around here (major NE urban area), I wouldn't have blinked twice at an oddly garbed kid, and unfotunately, that kind of language is more often heard than not. You see and hear a lot worse around here. And you can't be scared of everyone you pass on the street.

Truly, the situation you described wouldn't have phased me at all, because odd sights and sounds are a part of our landscape on an everyday basis.

In this area, that guy would have attracted a lot of attention and I bet the management would have kept an eye on him. And after saying something like that, would have banned him from the store forever. It's just not tolerated here. I saw a guy with a rude sweatshirt escorted out of a store, once. People were so pleased!

I'm glad he was a just a jerk and a not a murderer, Leslie. And I'm also glad to know there are people here with concealed carry permits who would be willing to try to stop someone who starts shooting.

Crazy people do crazy things...I would have been scared to death too!

Walmart should be able to prosecute that guy for some sort of terror act. That's ridiculous and should not be tolereated.

ginger

Like Aptosca and others I'm so used to it I hardly notice it.

For the most part I enjoy Gothy kids. I find them to be extremely bright, creative and mostly well mannered.

DS was wearing a long black duster as part of his school "uniform" lol long before the first shooting happened. Now he was 6'2",had long hair halfway down his back,wore a big black leather hat and several huge silver rings on each finger.

I got several comments from his teachers on what a pleasant kid he was once they actually spoke to him. One teacher even told me he found my son extremely intimidating until he was in his classroom.

Today DS is a responsible adult who is still very much a part of the "alternative style" in Santa Cruz. His hair is short, he still wears mostly black and he's quite the legend amongst those who know him. No violence unless necessary, no tats or piercings except for one small ear stud and the first to help those in need.

A couple weeks ago I saw a stray kitten scared and shivering outside a Walgreens at 2:00 am. I couldn't take it and waited for a bit to see if anyone would. No one would get involved until a little Goth girrrl and her BF came along. That kitten had a nice warm meal and a new home the night. :-)

That kid in the store wasn't Goth. He was an ass.

Right! It wouldn't have mattered if the guy was dressed in khakis and a blue Polo shirt, or overalls and a red plaid shirt. If he had presented an "attitude" while roaming the aisles, he would've been someone to watch, regardless. It was the way he yelled the word that was chilling and then the way he smirked and strode out of the store while shoppers gave way.

Actually, I assume he left the store without being stopped because we didn't hear any ruckus up front. I don't know if he was stopped or not.

Leslie/KS

I don't judge by Goth appearance, either. I used to find it disarming, but have since got used to it. But, he was dressed that way, so that's the description I gave.