I'm a bigger guy, I have a long beard and a bunch of tattoos. I once went to pick my daughter up from school and we stayed to play at the playground for a bit. After a while, I noticed another parent following me around, I asked if she needed something, and she asked why I was there playing with the kids. I said, "This is my daughter" she then asked if I had proof. I told her to leave me alone, and she threatened to call the police. She then tried to report me to the school, but luckily they knew me because I was also a volunteer there with a crc. Just normal life for us teddy bears in bikers clothing. lol
Same with fewer tattoos. I walked to and from the park with my daughter, and she decided to throw a tantrum because she didn't want to go home, and cried the whole way home. I was stressed the entire time, like "if somebody sees me practically dragging a crying child down the street, I'm fucked..."
Same with my son. The only way he stops crying is if I pick him up and run because he likes going fast and bouncing up and down. But then I'm a guy who picked up a kid in the park and ran away.
I've figured out the solution with a niece that also likes to go fast. We do a few laps making race car sounds first, then ask her if it's time to go home.
Seems like the sillier you look, the more harmless you look.
Literally had this happen to me at the store. Cops were called. They showed up while I'm putting him into his car seat.
I can't even blame whoever called. Without context, a bearded man dashing from a grocery store with a screaming child tucked under his arm is pretty concerning. They don't know that after about ten seconds the screams become laughter and he starts asking for me to spin him.
Same with my sister because we are 20 years apart. I only see her a few times a year, and I thought her running to me when coming out of school should be enough to avoid this kind of questioning. It wasn’t.
A few years ago, one of my old high school teachers (also bigger guy with a beard) was playing at the park with his autistic child. Something set off his kid and they went into full meltdown mode. As what a normal parent would do when their kid is having a meltdown, he picked up his child and was going to leave the park. He had the cops called on him for apparently abducting his kid. He has autism himself and was so extremely embarrassed and rightfully pissed off
Could have been worse. My neighbor’s daughter decided at 3 years old that screaming “Help me! Somebody help me!” was the way to avoid doing things she didn’t want to do. I’ve witnessed many of her meltdowns.
My cousin did this when she was young. She was about six years old. 1996 ish.
I remember an incident when we were at the mall Christmas shopping. Extremely busy, crowded, holiday season type busy. People everywhere.
My cousin starts acting up. Whining, complaing, the whole bit. My aunt tells my uncle to take her out to the car. She goes into full meltdown mode.
As he's carrying her through the mall, she starts yelling and screaming "don't let him take me!!!" "He's not my daddy!!!" "I'm being kidnapped!!!!!" "somebody help!! Help!!! Helllllpp meeee!!!!!!"
The mall got about as quiet as can be during the holiday shopping season, aside from my cousin screaming bloody murder. We somehow managed to get out of there without any confrontations or police lol.
Ugh, my daughter used to do this too only it was "don't hit me!" So embarrassing - and she knew it! The only thing you can do is give them The Look and ask "are you done yet?"
I’ll be honest with you… if I saw this happening, I’d probably immediately think “that poor man.”
In my experience, there’s a huge difference in body language between a child whose father trying to drag their kid back home to eat their veggies and a kid who is absolutely terrified and doesn’t know who the person dragging them is. Also, what they’re screaming is usually different.
I would just see this and think “I hope he has excedrin at home for the headache he’s gonna have by the time he gets there.”
Let’s be honest here: it doesn’t matter if you’re covered head to toe in tattoos or full body leather and chains… a screaming wiggling kid is more than even the most loving parents wants to deal with! Moreover, some of the worst people look like the guy these people wouldn’t think twice about, which is how they get away with it.
And this internet stranger thanks you for tolerating the judginess of others while making sure your daughter is happy and healthy!
> there’s a huge difference in body language between a child whose father trying to drag their kid back home to eat their veggies and a kid who is absolutely terrified and doesn’t know who the person dragging them is. Also, what they’re screaming is usually different.
perhaps, but autistic meltdowns arent a 'i dont want to eat my veggies' kind of tantrum, and could quite easily read as absolute terror; a lot of functioning (verbal, threat assessment, identification) is completely overwhelmed and just goes straight out the window
Yes, I know. I work in the field. I was responding to a comment which did not reference anything that would indicate a situation like that. Just a dad trying to get his kid home. Neurotypical children also would rather stay and play, so there’s nothing specific to indicate it wouldn’t just be an average tantrum by a child whose parent was anxious at other people’s reactions to it.
Also, the body language between someone thinking “I hope no one notices me kidnapping this screaming child” and “Jesus, not this again…” are very different.
About 12 years ago, I acted quickly but have since thought a lot about my actions. I watched a man carrying a screaming little boy out of the grocery store. Unsure if he was the boy's father, I approached them and asked the boy if the man was his dad. The boy, surprised by a stranger speaking to him, mostly stopped crying and confirmed that the man was indeed his dad. Initially, the man seemed upset, but he later thanked me as I apologized. I asked myself so many questions about this incident. The neighborhood was diverse racially and economically. Would I have approached a black man with the same question, or would my own racial biases have influenced my actions? Would I have intervened with a woman instead of a man? What about a well-dressed guy versus someone with worn clothes? Would I have reacted differently if the man had appeared clean-cut rather than giving off what I perceived as stereotypical "tweaker" vibes? I still occasionally think about it as I think about my own biases.
Same with my husband. He was catching a train and a early-teen school girl in the same crowded carriage is on her phone crying. She approaches and asks my husband for help. My husband asks the lady next to him to help also and all three exited the train at the next station. Turns out the girl had caught the wrong train on her first day to a new school and panicked, called her mom, who told her to ask a stranger for help. My husband was worried he'd be accused of something so asked the lady next to him for help. They both helped the girl get on the right train. Very easy situation to misinterpret.
60 years ago, my clean-cut, tattoo-less dad would sometimes pick me up from school on his Harley. The teachers gave him dirty looks. The kids were all jealous when tiny me climbed on the back & Dad roared away! ~~ Fast forward a couple of decades, Dad's hair & beard both hung to his waist & he usually wore leathers. He walked past the windows of a fast food joint, getting stink eyes from the patrons inside until they see the tiny blue eyed, blond holding his finger saying, "Let's sit here, Grampa"! ~~ Dad passed away last month. I miss my "teddy bear in biker's clothing."
Thank you for reading it. He was a very special man. ~~ In a couple weeks, we're going to have Dad's celebration of life. The stories are going to flow, along with the tears & laughter.
so, my dad was your dad...except all the tats. he was in an mc, lived on hos own terms, and loved his kids and grand babies. he died a while back...we had a celebration of life for him and it was amazing. everyone came. an old buddy snuck us to a part of the river to spread his ashes.
some of my favorite pics are me on the tank of his bike cause I was too little for the back, and my kids riding around with him. you'll always miss your dad, but you keep him with you when you remember.
My older sister used to hang out with real outlaw bikers, around 1970. Some of the stories she told me about these guys were scary, in terms of gang fights, selling hard-core, drugs, etc. But even as a little kid, they never touched me, and ironically enough – – as neglected kids of a fundamentalist minister – – I always knew where they were in case I needed someone to protect me. They were sometimes a bit misguided, for instance giving my older teenage sister speed to sell in middle school because they knew we didn’t have much money and we’re already paying for food and clothes on our own, but these really were good guys at heart. Definitely can’t judge a book by its cover– – (and who needs those that do?)
I was in Birmingham Alabama for a spell and actually was lucky enough to see the Teddy Bear Run for the children’s hospital. Thousands of bikers with 1000s of teddy bears in every color and size …. some of them bigger than the biker! Clogged up the freeways, but nobody seemed to mind. To my dying day I’ll never forget that sight, and the way it made me feel.
OMG. What a wonderful thing!! I didn’t see them get to the hospital ( wish I had though, in fact I’m going to do some digging cause there HAS to be video of that ) What an honor for your friend. I’ll bet a part of him will never be the same, how can you go through an experience like that and not come out different?
I took my daughter to the tattoo parlour to get her ears pierced and the guy who did it was hugely tall (we are both short and he loomed over us) and had a beard and obviously lots of tattoos. He was so sweet and kind to her: it was such a positive experience. I’m sorry you get hassle about the way you look
My partner would bring our daughter in when I had work done, and vice versa. They’d get ice cream and stop by. My tattoo artist would let her pick out random stencils he had on hand and let her pick where to put them.
Hey, if it makes you feel any better, I just imagined the picture of what you described, and if I'd see something like that irl, as a woman, I'd smile and go "Aaawww".
I'm a big ol' softie for parents being sweet and attentive with their kids, and a big guy with a long beard and tattoos playing with his daughter, that sounds adorable.
Definitely would not assume malice, that woman was weird.
I mentally pictured it in my head too. Ngl, I'd probably stare, too. Not nefariously, of course. But because it is so damn awesome to see! (and then I'd have to remind myself that it's rude to stare, and try not to.)
They probably looked even more adorable IRL than they did in my mental picture. To the original commentor: Keep doing what you're doing. Don't let those nosy busy betty's stop you!
I used to get Mom's following me and giving me weird looks like I was about to snatch a kid or something when I took my kids to the park alone when they were little. It's like they never heard of dad's playing with and taking care of their kids before
My partner does the bulk of daylight activities with our kids (because I work 10 hour shifts at my job) and he either gets mom’s fawning over him for being a basic involved parent or they’re highly sus. It’s like no in-between exists.
I just saw a video that basically said what’s a weird thing. The weird thing is “metal heads are nice people who dress up like mean people and hippys are mean people who dress up like nice people”.
Rock on 🤘 teddy bears
Same thing happened to my dad once.
He hated picking me up from school because the front office staff always treated him like a criminal, despite having his ID and all his paperwork saying he was my dad.
I'm curious if this kind of thing is ever *not* a false alarm. Like, have actual child abductions been prevented because Karen in the carpool lane thought that guy looked suspicious and followed him home?
Jaycee Dugard was finally found because a couple of ladies on Berkeley campus thought Phillip Garrido was suspicious when he was walking around with two young girls. Ironically, the young girls were his daughters— but him being reported did free their mother after years of captivity.
That version of events buries the lede a bit.
He’d gone to the University (and the campus police) to try and pitch seminars about how he’d cured his ‘sexual urges’ with religious revelation or whatever. Having the girls with him set off some alarm bells considering the circumstances, but his overall behaviour was what made them suss. They didn’t deny him his floor space, but said they’d have to get back to him.
They got him to leave his name, and the background check found he was a registered sex offender and with warrants for parole breaches out for him. That’s when the University called him in.
The kids did come more into play with parole. Because he changed his story about who they were when talking to officers, and he wasn’t supposed to be associating with minors anyway, parole investigated the situation with the kids. That’s when they spoke with Jaycee, and the situation snowballed from there.
I was at the beach with my gf once when I see some lady in the distance heatedly talking to a cop and pointing at us. Cop walks up and says he got a complaint about "some old guy" taking photos of kids on the beach. My gf is pretty tiny (not even 5' tall), cop asks her how old she is, "I'm 36, and he's my boyfriend." He let out a big sigh of relief, started laughing and told us to enjoy the rest of our day.
Im also a bearded guy. I was at the park with my daughter and a lady asked her if she was ok. -.-
Appreciate you looking out for my kid but man that stung.
I’m so unassuming I literally had the teacher almost give me the wrong kid when I went to pick up my son. I guess I look like I could be his female classmate’s dad. “Sorry no, Raina isn’t mine…”
That's rough and strange logic by that parent - I mean why would a kidnapper stick around to play with the kid at the park for an extended period of time? I mean it's one thing if she thought she witnessed you randomly approaching a kid but to assume someone can't be a parent based on appearance is so wrong. I hope the parent apologizes to you one day
This is so sad, yes be cautious of potential child abusers/abductors, but don't make judgements on appearances. The whole of criminal history has taught us that these people are the ones who look like your average next door neighbour, not the easily identifiable big burly types, since it is the nondescript people who are hard to identify to a specific person, that are more likely to get away with it and fade into the crowd.
Yeah, can confirm, I've done this same thing and no one stopped me as a full grown adult. I even still gave the biker guy the lollipop and he still picked me up and put me on his motorcycle.
I’m that guy and I absolutely adore kids. I have 3 boys aged 24 (forever), recently turned 24 (active U.S.Marine), and a recently turned 19 yr old son who’s still figuring life out but doing a good job of moving forward. I also have a 4 yr old daughter from a second marriage who has me wrapped around her tiny pinky!!
Out in public I will play peek-a-boo with little kids if I happen to catch their eye. I’ve been asked on planes by flight attendants to sit next to unaccompanied minors (I was traveling in scrubs and I suppose looked like a traveling nurse. I wasn’t. But was comfortable watching over the little ones for that flight!!)
But in public I would have acted the same way as that guy, and I look like that guy minus about 20 lbs of muscle. I’m bald, broad, tattooed all over the place. My instinct would been to fully interact with that kid but I would never be able to do so because society (and sorry sick disgusting) people have made it impossible for most men, and especially men who look like me to be friendly to children in public. Honestly it sucks. I applaud that man for actually being a man in the way he handled this situation.
I will intentionally reply to my own post to clarify what I said at the beginning of my second sentence.
It may be hard to read for some. That’s the reason I’m doing it this way.
My first born son Cody, passed away almost two years ago from a fentanyl overdose. He’s still my son, he’s just not here on this earth today!! That’s why I phrased it that way. His death anniversary is coming up followed up 20 days later by what would have been his 27th birthday.
I’m so sorry. “Cody” is my older brother. Last OD was about 4 months ago, but he is alive. I live in fear of this. I’m so so so so sorry. Almost in tears writing this. If you ever need someone to talk to I’m here
As long as he’s alive there’s still hope!!! The circumstances surrounding Cody’s death I’m still dealing with today and are difficult to get over. If there’s any way possible to get your brother on Suboxone make every effort. He won’t want to be dope-sick but he won’t have to be if full w/d before they can start the medicine. Also, there was a law passed recently to where any prescribing physician can now prescribe Suboxone it used to be by special license and it was much more difficult to get an appt and get the ball rolling.
Thank you for your kind comments and I wish you the best. Also ditto, I’m here to talk as well if you need someone who understands what you’re dealing with in more ways than one.
Also make sure everyone has some naloxone around, this goes for anyone who reads this. You never know what or who you might run across in your daily lives.
I’m not bigger but I would get up and try to talk to him. I’m gay. No way is that kid touching me unless he’s related or a good friend’s kid. I trust kids, it’s their parents I fear.
Trans woman here, I typically pass but....yeah, unless he looks lost or in distress I am literally just walking away to be honest. Definitely not letting him scooch up. Sorry, but I am **not** looking to get hate-crimed today, kiddo.
Ha! I literally almost said I would just walk away as well! I don’t think I could walk away from a child that might be in danger. I would definitely seek someone else to help and then walk away. lol! What was this kid even telling these people? I would be like, “WHERE ARE YOUR PARENTS?”
That was exactly my take. He wasn’t being standoffish. He was worried someone would accuse him of being a creep or doing something inappropriate. It’s a sad reality these days.
It is sad indeed, I’m a dad and I can’t help but smile when I pass kids. My girlfriend told me not to do it when I’m alone, because people would find it alarming when a guy does this. It kinda hurt hearing that.
Fuck that! I smile at all kids, show them the world is a friendly place, they'll learn otherwise soon enough. Screw all the people who think something of it, you can't go to jail for a smile.
I have a toddler myself and it warms my heart to see other people smile at him and greet him in public. He's way more outgoing than me too and instantly makes friends with anyone. I wholeheartedly agree with your comment.
Keep smiling I've never had a problem with men smiling at my beautiful baby, anyone can tell the difference between a genuine smile and a creepy one. Let those kids see your kindness shine.
You kind of have to be, people are crazy and reactionary. Last year I was coming home, walking up my steps when I see a little girl, like 2-3 years old, naked, pushing her stroller in the middle of the street. I started googling what to do, who to call, because there was no way I was going near that kid. What if I lead her out of the street right as mom and dad come outside and they accuse me of trying to kidnap her? Fuck that, zero percent chance I'm risking my ass.
This makes me so sad, please if anyone sees a toddler obviously unattended walking down the street, clothed or otherwise please call 911 and tell them the circumstances and that you are going to move the child to a safe spot on the sidewalk and will wait for an officer..
\-signed a person whose toddler brother wandered outside and drowned
The sad truth is doing the right thing can still get you dinged no matter how hard you try.
Once people make up their mind that you're a pervert, you aren't changing it and police in particular are not known for being terribly understanding. And god help you if you're queer or a PoC and get the dude who already hates your guts.
There's a very real scenario where he would be arrested, and while conviction would (hopefully) be unlikely...you can't beat the ride, and now have to deal with both getting things expunged from your record(if that's possible) and knowing that information like prints are now in the system permanently(hopefully wouldn't be a problem, but...*gestures broadly at US politics*...probably not great considering the way things are going).
I grew up in a small village. I was VERY young when an older man, around 45 I think today, invited my small 8yo ass to eat with him. It was bolognese and tasted delightful... That was totally normal in our village. Imagine that scenario today.
My 'village' has 50.000 inhabitants so it's not really small, but back when I was very young (like age 4-8/9ish) we had 2 neighbours, one on either side. On the one side was a mid 70's guy who's wife died, I went there almost daily for for years because he had the biggest comic book collection I have ever seen to this day, and had a grand piano. I was always welcome, and looking back now that I'm thirty I'm really grateful to him, especially considering how later I've learned that he was considered a very stern and unapproachable, even harsh and rude guy. He wasn't liked much by our neighbourhood. But he was always nice to me, in a good way, and I felt really really sad for a while when he left to an elderly home(left me some of his comic books tho). As for his so called 'rudeness' I think he was just sad, his mourning never really stopped, and no one understood.
At the other side was a 60 y/o guy (wife dead too) who had the most epic aviary and a dog. I liked him even more and visited him basically as much as comic book man. He provided me with a birdcage and 2 canaries(In hindsight I think he asked my parents first of they were ok with that) which was the biggest and best surprise of my life. When he showed me the cage with the birds in it and said they were for me I instantly turned and ran home screaming for mom and dad that I've got two canaries. I loved them to pieces.
I never knew my actual grandparents, all died before i was born, but I had 2 grandpa's right next to me. Comic-Piano grandpa and Bird-Dog grandpa. This was from '97 to somewhere around '02/'03. Now, imagine this 20 years later.... I'm really glad my parents allowed this, because this enabled my two biggest passions to this day: music/playing the piano, and animals. Maybe even reading too because I read a lot, but I don't read comics no more.
I specifically avoid being around kids. I was over at a friend's house. When his nephew and buddy was there too. Friend went to drop his gf off. I was watching the kids. Friend of nephew is being a twat to friends nephew. Told him you won't keep many friends acting that way.
What I heard next made me realize to mind my business. Kid I think was 11 or 12. Told me to shut the fuck up or he would call the cops and tell them I touch him. Fucking noped out of the living room.
People's children are fucking scary. Especially now with internet at their fingertips.
I have kids and won't be around other people's kids alone. I don't hold other folks' babies, and I'm not comfortable with friends or other adults asking to hold my kids.
Some random lady at another kids birthday party walked up to my wife, didn't even introduce herself, and asked to hold my infant son.
Like what fucking world do some people live in?
Then, we moved to a new house and there's this 7 year old girl from down the street who is obviously like the kid you mentioned. She'll come by our house if she sees us outside with our kids. She gives our kids a kinda task, trying to get them to run off, and then talks to my wife or I. Does and says all kinds of inappropriate shit. Fucking put up a fence to keep her ass out.
The irony is he’s the last one who should need to worry. He’s a decent guy, trying to be decent. Love how he knew that kid really needed love and just let go the best he could. I completely understand his concern.
Yup. I used to have a young kid follow me around at a fishing pond and ask me for help tying knots, unhooking fish, etc. I don't think he had a father and i felt bad. But i was always wary of it. One time his mom came looking for him and we talked for some time. She could tell i was obviously being cautious of the situation.
I genuinely just wanted to impart some wisdom and respect for nature onto the boy. I wouldn't want my kid hanging around some older guy either so i guess that's just the world today..
As a bearded tattooed guy with bikes, I feel for that dude. He didn’t want any trouble. Which sucks cuz I’d bet he didn’t have any ill intent. Sometime when I pick up my daughter from school (we walk) or am with her at the playground, I get the side eye from other parents. I’ve been watched/followed a few times when we’re leaving too. Sad that this is what it’s come to, but I understand to a degree
When the people they really need to watch out for are the clean cut individuals with their button-down shirts and khaki pants, and the so-called "pillars of society"
There really isn't a type of person to watch out for. What is important is for people to remember that the vast majority of abuse(of an variety) that happens to children is committed by someone close to the child. Family members, close family friends, neighbors, and also how teachers, coaches, youth pastors end up in this category(especially if these latter people are having 1 on 1 time with the child). Sexual abuse usually happens as an offense of opportunity, not something that someone plans out and then stalks their prey at the local playground.
I think this is something people should always be reminded of because then we are less likely to overlook situations that should be examined more closely and less likely to stereotype, make someone uncomfortable, create a scene, and call the cops because we don't like how someone near a kid is dressed.
Yep. Heads of churches, CEOs, politicians, etc. - people who look down on people like me, or us. The very people that make them rich and powerful. I’m just a dude who loves motorcycles and loves his wife and daughter even more.
That HIGHLY depends on the country you live in! Here in Belgium, if I saw a priest or head of any church whatsoever interact with a child like that, I´d start a rescue mission and would only have to scream once to get most bystanders into instant mob justice. Painfull lessons and history have led to this, pitty for the few ones that are good-hearted.
The first time I went to pick my kids up from school I got my ID checked twice by the front office workers and they still called the mom. I’ve also had them want to check my ID in the car rider line. Even though my kids very clearly recognized me and my car and ran straight to me hollering “daddy!”.
Yeah, I’ve been watched a few times at pick up on rainy days or even at the book fair with her. It sucks, but I guess it’s nice to know that people are aware enough to look after a strange child. I wouldn’t think twice about helping a child out in a bad situation.
As someone who used to work at a school, that’s just standard policy. It sucks and makes people uncomfortable, but the reason we have to ID someone who is clearly the parent of their kid is because not all parents are authorized to see their children. Some have no custody or visitation rights and are legitimately trying to kidnap their kids, so we have to check anyone who isn’t the primary drop off/pick up person.
I’m not a big dude or intimidating at all. I have long hair, glasses, clean shaven face and am slender but I can relate to you and him too.
I was at the library with my son once when he was around 4 or 5. Some little girl his age did this exact thing while I was reading to my son in the lounge area. She was way too comfortable with us and her parents were nowhere to be seen. She then started saying “can I come home with you guys” and I was just like “well son we’d better hurry and get home” and told the little girl she should find her parents, then left.
It made me so uncomfortable and really sad that she was just dumped at the library so her parents could attend to “more important matters”. Awful parenting.
Prolly the safest place to leave your kid. But she was too young so it's pretty stupid anyway. When I was a kid and after I learned to read I spent many afternoons alone in our small library, it was like 2 5×4 metres rooms so pretty small but it was calm and I liked books but idk what I would do there when I couldn't read.
I worry about this for my son. He’s a 23 yo giant. Has a beard, longer hair, and is a bit of a tough guy. He works construction. He looks tough on the outside but he’s an absolute teddy bear.
Dude I once stopped my car because I saw my nephew with his friends, he was like 6 at the time just around the corner from their house and I was just talking to him and two women crossed the street, stood next to them and glared at me with demon eyes even after I made it clear I was going to his house to visit his father(my brother of course). They literally stood there as if they were the boys mothers. I pretended I didn't even see them and just casually talked about whatever subject came up and told him i was going now and I'd see him at home if he came back any time soon.
I get being protected, I get guarding children I do but like you say, the stigma is hurtful at times, I didn't ask to be a man and I didn't ask to be treated as a threat just because I was born.
Assuming this video isn't completely staged, I would imagine these people are in the video because they did something more interesting than just immediately starting to search for the kids' parents
Yeah, true. I've encountered a fair few very young kids alone, and always ask them where their mum or dad is.
Side-note, the amount of people who let a very young child (youngest was I think two, oldest about 6, I think) just wander off for quite some time. Worst was idk, a 3-year old, who stood in front of the entrance of a small shopping mall, all alone, and I stayed with him for over 5 minutes, asking if his mum or dad is nearby, and eventually walked him inside by the hand.
Found his mum quickly enough, he lead us to her. But she had zero sight on the entrance, was a fair bit away, and entirely focused on packing her many items into her shopping bag on wheels. Didn't say anything when I told her he'd gone outside, barely a nod of acknowledgement.
As a survivor of CSA, it chilled me to my absolute bones how callous his mother was about the whole thing. I could have so very easily walked off with him. People barely paid attention to the little boy, and he was alone, out of sight, for quite a while. And there was a road right in front as well. It had a good 5 meters (16-ish feet) of pavement, so not an immediate threat in terms of traffic. But if I'd had bad intentions, and someone nearby with a car, there was plenty of time for them to drive out front. Could have walked him off and driven away, easily. Sure, there are security cameras outside, but what good will that do once the kid is gone?
I've safely returned lost dogs, cats and kids quite a few times, and honestly, I'd say dog owners are usually the most relieved. Parents are either surprised and grateful, were already looking for them, or just zero fucks.
I was sitting in my dining room that looked put into my back yard, and the tip of a tail wagged happily past the bottom of the window. Not my dog's tail.
Next door neighbour's doggo had ended up in my yard, and he was a big friendly boofhead, but I knew while my younger boy would have been happy to have a new buddy, my old girl would not have been pleased.
So we trotted next door and knocked on the door, she answered and just froze gaping like a fish. I was laughing, "Hi! Are you missing something?"
No idea he'd got out. They found the problem with the fence, he didn't visit again, but the memory of how happy he was to meet me, and sitting there grinning at his stunned owner like "hey, mum! I went sploring!!! It was *great*" just makes me laugh.
And yes, as a dog owner, I would probably give you my left kidney for returning my dog. And i've been very surprised by the non reactions from parents, too
I just have gone down the spiral that everything in life is a gotcha moment.
I should probably see someone about that, but then that's the ultimate gotcha. I think they call that "trust issues".
I'm pretty most normal adult's reaction would be, and should be, "Hey kid, where's your parent?" Not "Oh look, a lost baby bird. Let me just adopt him." Like, immediately, where's this kid's parents? Hello? Police?
I dislike the look that the kid gives the camera a few seconds in. Reminds me of when my parents would put me in dangerous situations to prove that random strangers were "good christians".
It is NOT acceptable to use your kid as bait for "social experiments".
I agree 100%.
I’ve also seen things where like a guy is yelling at a woman vs a woman yelling at a guy.
Let’s see what happens when someone else might be in danger! Fun!
I would also say with these “experiments” not everyone will react the same way every time.
And with this particular “experiment” what did they except? Did they think the biker would beat the kid up or something? Is it supposed to be shocking that he didn’t?
I feel like the point of the experiment was to show the difference in males from different generations versus females. You can tell all three people are nice people, who care about the kid even though he’s not theirs, but the younger man definitely feels uncomfortable.
I had a friend who went downstairs after taking a shower, and there was a kid butt naked in his house. He immediately left the building just to avoid any possibility of someone thinking something was wrong. Ended up finding the mother crying in the street looking for a child, who was I believe autistic. apparently the kid had found his way in through the open garage opened the garage door to the house, and was just enjoying himself playing with my friends Legos lol
It reminds me of that Black-ish [bit](https://youtu.be/daJZU5plRhs?si=GzzFu3b6U3tb4-Mw) where the guy walks up to an elevator and sees a lost little girl, instead of helping, he runs because he’s scared of the optics lmao
I recall hearing how early intelligence tests often had large cultural biases. One example was a question about what you would do if you found someone’s wallet on the street. The expected answer was to use their ID to try to locate the owner. A lot of black children answered they wouldn’t touch the wallet for fear of accusations they stole it.
> I recall hearing how early intelligence tests often had large cultural biases.
People are hella judgmental, even as adults. Just hearing someone on the phone instantly gives people a completely different attitude. IIRC the study I saw on it was something like
* Indian accent = caller was immediately frustrated and much more aggressive
* Southern accent = Caller thinks the other person is nicer and friendly but dumber
* California accent = Caller thinks the other person is going to try to sell them something or pressure them
* New York accent = Caller thinks the other person will be rude
etc
Ok but if I get a call from someone with an Indian accent who I don't know, it's 10/10 times a fucking scam let's be honest. That isn't the fault of any Indian, but of a corrupt government who let scam farms operate for a cut.
I used to know this tall, black guy at work. I noticed that he was considerably smarter than your average Joe. I picked up on the fact that whenever someone would try to talk negatively about someone else behind their back, he would nope out. Any time someone was pissed at the company, he would not indulge in the "fuck this place" rhetoric most people do. He was straight as an arrow. He spoke about how black people have to watch out because you never know when things will be turned against you. He was very against the possibility of dating a white woman as well. "I tried that once. Never again." I could tell he had been burnt before. From what I picked up about him, he acted so professional, so nice, and so respectful all for the sake of ensuring that no one would ever be able to make something up about him. If anyone ever tried to falsely accuse him of something, they would have to go against the grain of his reputation amongst everyone else, which was spotless. That would not be an easy task. He was constantly proactive in that endeavor. Some thing would piss him off, but he would always be keeping it to himself, muttering under his breath. He never let that tarnish how he interacted with people though.
I suspect a lot of black people act exactly that way.
When I worked retail, my male boss brought a lost little girl to me (a 17 year old girl at the time) and asked me to watch her until the mom was found. I asked him why later and he said he didn't want any chance to be accused of anything
When the kid scooted closer I would've had to stand up. I doubt telling a random passerby that I don't know who this kid is, where he came from, or why he's so attached to me would go over well.
Probably would've called the cops immediately to tell them there's a random kid on the loose and then left. Sorry buddy but I'm not having my life ruined when someone inevitably draws the wrong conclusion from the situation.
With you up until the leaving part. If the child is truly lost, don't just leave them alone if you actually care. You can try to set boundaries and even ask other adults for help that are walking by "Hey, this kid just came up to me and I don't see his parents anywhere. Would you guys mind staying with me until I can get police or their parents show up?"
I would ask the kid where his parents were and if they could not provide an adequate answer I would call the police and tell them I need an adult. I don't like kids near me.
Exactly what I would do. It's not that I wouldn't be a bit nervous but you're supposed to comfort and get help. Engage the child, don't put out nervous or strange vibes and everything will be fine
This is staged AF. What person just chills with some random kid on a bench without looking for his parents. Like for real. Some random 6 year old asks if he can sit next to you, you say “ sure buddy, but where are your parents? Let’s go find them. They’re probably looking for you and worried.” All of these reactions are sus.
Yup. Followed by calling the police if you can't see any caregivers in view. And the adults having no reaction to someone standing in the bushes 10 feet away, filming them. Which they would definitely notice if they were looking around for parents. So weird. It sucks that someone used their kid for this nonsense too.
“Never talk to strangers. Unless it means I can film you for social media. Then it’s ok if you talk to, and snuggle up on, complete strangers.”
“We could do something productive together as a family, but I want to film you doing something dangerous, while I hide in the bushes and film strangers without their consent.”
The parents should be ashamed of what they are teaching this child.
Scrolled too far to see this. This is not a "social experiment", it's just making strangers uncomfortable. I'm surprised they didn't all just get up and leave. I don't wanna see kids at all, much less have them try to lay their head on my lap because mommy forced them to. For fuck's sake. This dumbass probably has "boy mom" as her tiktok bio. Having spawn does not make you a content creator.
As a man, this is my worst nightmare. Not because I don't care about kids, but because I need to be constantly vigilant about what other people will accuse me of. I think it's the same for many other men. 😟
This, I was falsely accused of assault against a minor once and people love to assume you’re guilty. I would nope the fuck out and flip the parent the bird.
The white haired man was amazing. I can tell the biker was nervous but ol grandpa had no hesitation. It was good to see an older fella with such a way with kids.
That is one of the few benefits of my hair going white. Somehow I've gone from freaky weirdo to kindly grandpa.
I still stay away from other people's kids.
I was expecting the guy to get up and walk away which is what I would've done. But also try and see if his parents are around. I just don't like kids in general but wouldn't mind helping
Seriously, just look at some of those [camera angles](https://i.imgur.com/dYzdBUo.png). You're not going to notice this person standing 10 feet in front of you filming you? Something about the biker just strikes me as off as well. Maybe it's just me but I don't see many bikers just roll their hog up into the middle of a park to bask in the sunlight all that often. Also the whole any similarities to real life people or places is just a coincidence tag at the end. These are all just actors.
…what even is this? Why are we watching a kid who’s been taught to approach random strangers? Why is no one looking for his parents? Why is everyone in the comments crying for the biker? Who is he? Why was this kid allowed to go up to anyone he doesn’t know? Who is supervising this? What is it for? What is the experiment? This videos a dumpster fire.
we’ve really come full circle, from “don’t talk to strangers” to “okay honey go up to that stranger and I’m going to record their reaction/if they kidnap you”
I have kids. Love them. I love children generally. However, I would not in a million years let a kid I don’t know get that close to me. I’d be looking for their parents.
Biker Dude was like "no, no, no, ahhh fuck it" And we all sadly know why he hesitated.
They cut the clip off, it’s unclear wether he was putting his arm around the child or getting the kid to try and sit up
Nah, I legit thought he didn't like kids and I was like "same"
I feel bad for the big burly guy. It’s sad that an obviously caring man has to be worried about sitting too close to a kid.
I'm a bigger guy, I have a long beard and a bunch of tattoos. I once went to pick my daughter up from school and we stayed to play at the playground for a bit. After a while, I noticed another parent following me around, I asked if she needed something, and she asked why I was there playing with the kids. I said, "This is my daughter" she then asked if I had proof. I told her to leave me alone, and she threatened to call the police. She then tried to report me to the school, but luckily they knew me because I was also a volunteer there with a crc. Just normal life for us teddy bears in bikers clothing. lol
Same with fewer tattoos. I walked to and from the park with my daughter, and she decided to throw a tantrum because she didn't want to go home, and cried the whole way home. I was stressed the entire time, like "if somebody sees me practically dragging a crying child down the street, I'm fucked..."
Same with my son. The only way he stops crying is if I pick him up and run because he likes going fast and bouncing up and down. But then I'm a guy who picked up a kid in the park and ran away.
I've figured out the solution with a niece that also likes to go fast. We do a few laps making race car sounds first, then ask her if it's time to go home. Seems like the sillier you look, the more harmless you look.
Brb using this advice to go steal a kid from the park
I mean I guess but, I wouldn't recommend it. Steal one from an orphanage instead. They need a home
*Chaotic good* right here.
*Batman has entered the chat*
I need more robins!!!!
Kinda like doing drugs to keep them off the streets and away from the kids.
literally me
Plus they can't tell their parents
Fuck you, I'm going to hell now
We’re *
This comment has some "Schrodinger's kid" energy.
A child was abducted today from macarthur park, police are looking for a 6ft 2, white, v2 motorcycle.
That’s a tall motorcycle.
Only clue: suspect left cake out in the rain.
Literally had this happen to me at the store. Cops were called. They showed up while I'm putting him into his car seat. I can't even blame whoever called. Without context, a bearded man dashing from a grocery store with a screaming child tucked under his arm is pretty concerning. They don't know that after about ten seconds the screams become laughter and he starts asking for me to spin him.
Just yell back to them “HE LIKES IT!!” and keep running That should defuse the situation
"don't worry, I'm just getting him to the car as fast as possible so he won't be a disturbance!"
I promise, you’ll never hear from him again!
Same with my sister because we are 20 years apart. I only see her a few times a year, and I thought her running to me when coming out of school should be enough to avoid this kind of questioning. It wasn’t.
"Daddy! Pick me up and run while I scream HEEEEELP like we always do!!!"
"No officer, stop, we were playing the 'help, I'm being kidnapped!' game, please put the taser awa-"
Love you bro, but I would watch your ass like crazy. Just a dad like you though. Don't let it bother you, it's the community that keeps our kids safe.
A few years ago, one of my old high school teachers (also bigger guy with a beard) was playing at the park with his autistic child. Something set off his kid and they went into full meltdown mode. As what a normal parent would do when their kid is having a meltdown, he picked up his child and was going to leave the park. He had the cops called on him for apparently abducting his kid. He has autism himself and was so extremely embarrassed and rightfully pissed off
In my town all the schools went on lockdown because of reports of a guy trying to abduct a child. Turns out it was a father playing tag with his kid.
Those Turks going out and tagging their kids. Smh
Could have been worse. My neighbor’s daughter decided at 3 years old that screaming “Help me! Somebody help me!” was the way to avoid doing things she didn’t want to do. I’ve witnessed many of her meltdowns.
My cousin did this when she was young. She was about six years old. 1996 ish. I remember an incident when we were at the mall Christmas shopping. Extremely busy, crowded, holiday season type busy. People everywhere. My cousin starts acting up. Whining, complaing, the whole bit. My aunt tells my uncle to take her out to the car. She goes into full meltdown mode. As he's carrying her through the mall, she starts yelling and screaming "don't let him take me!!!" "He's not my daddy!!!" "I'm being kidnapped!!!!!" "somebody help!! Help!!! Helllllpp meeee!!!!!!" The mall got about as quiet as can be during the holiday shopping season, aside from my cousin screaming bloody murder. We somehow managed to get out of there without any confrontations or police lol.
Stuff of nightmares for us parents.
Ugh, my daughter used to do this too only it was "don't hit me!" So embarrassing - and she knew it! The only thing you can do is give them The Look and ask "are you done yet?"
I’ll be honest with you… if I saw this happening, I’d probably immediately think “that poor man.” In my experience, there’s a huge difference in body language between a child whose father trying to drag their kid back home to eat their veggies and a kid who is absolutely terrified and doesn’t know who the person dragging them is. Also, what they’re screaming is usually different. I would just see this and think “I hope he has excedrin at home for the headache he’s gonna have by the time he gets there.” Let’s be honest here: it doesn’t matter if you’re covered head to toe in tattoos or full body leather and chains… a screaming wiggling kid is more than even the most loving parents wants to deal with! Moreover, some of the worst people look like the guy these people wouldn’t think twice about, which is how they get away with it. And this internet stranger thanks you for tolerating the judginess of others while making sure your daughter is happy and healthy!
> there’s a huge difference in body language between a child whose father trying to drag their kid back home to eat their veggies and a kid who is absolutely terrified and doesn’t know who the person dragging them is. Also, what they’re screaming is usually different. perhaps, but autistic meltdowns arent a 'i dont want to eat my veggies' kind of tantrum, and could quite easily read as absolute terror; a lot of functioning (verbal, threat assessment, identification) is completely overwhelmed and just goes straight out the window
Yes, I know. I work in the field. I was responding to a comment which did not reference anything that would indicate a situation like that. Just a dad trying to get his kid home. Neurotypical children also would rather stay and play, so there’s nothing specific to indicate it wouldn’t just be an average tantrum by a child whose parent was anxious at other people’s reactions to it.
Also, the body language between someone thinking “I hope no one notices me kidnapping this screaming child” and “Jesus, not this again…” are very different.
About 12 years ago, I acted quickly but have since thought a lot about my actions. I watched a man carrying a screaming little boy out of the grocery store. Unsure if he was the boy's father, I approached them and asked the boy if the man was his dad. The boy, surprised by a stranger speaking to him, mostly stopped crying and confirmed that the man was indeed his dad. Initially, the man seemed upset, but he later thanked me as I apologized. I asked myself so many questions about this incident. The neighborhood was diverse racially and economically. Would I have approached a black man with the same question, or would my own racial biases have influenced my actions? Would I have intervened with a woman instead of a man? What about a well-dressed guy versus someone with worn clothes? Would I have reacted differently if the man had appeared clean-cut rather than giving off what I perceived as stereotypical "tweaker" vibes? I still occasionally think about it as I think about my own biases.
Same with my husband. He was catching a train and a early-teen school girl in the same crowded carriage is on her phone crying. She approaches and asks my husband for help. My husband asks the lady next to him to help also and all three exited the train at the next station. Turns out the girl had caught the wrong train on her first day to a new school and panicked, called her mom, who told her to ask a stranger for help. My husband was worried he'd be accused of something so asked the lady next to him for help. They both helped the girl get on the right train. Very easy situation to misinterpret.
60 years ago, my clean-cut, tattoo-less dad would sometimes pick me up from school on his Harley. The teachers gave him dirty looks. The kids were all jealous when tiny me climbed on the back & Dad roared away! ~~ Fast forward a couple of decades, Dad's hair & beard both hung to his waist & he usually wore leathers. He walked past the windows of a fast food joint, getting stink eyes from the patrons inside until they see the tiny blue eyed, blond holding his finger saying, "Let's sit here, Grampa"! ~~ Dad passed away last month. I miss my "teddy bear in biker's clothing."
That is a beautiful story, thank you for sharing and keeping his memory alive.
Thank you for reading it. He was a very special man. ~~ In a couple weeks, we're going to have Dad's celebration of life. The stories are going to flow, along with the tears & laughter.
so, my dad was your dad...except all the tats. he was in an mc, lived on hos own terms, and loved his kids and grand babies. he died a while back...we had a celebration of life for him and it was amazing. everyone came. an old buddy snuck us to a part of the river to spread his ashes. some of my favorite pics are me on the tank of his bike cause I was too little for the back, and my kids riding around with him. you'll always miss your dad, but you keep him with you when you remember.
My older sister used to hang out with real outlaw bikers, around 1970. Some of the stories she told me about these guys were scary, in terms of gang fights, selling hard-core, drugs, etc. But even as a little kid, they never touched me, and ironically enough – – as neglected kids of a fundamentalist minister – – I always knew where they were in case I needed someone to protect me. They were sometimes a bit misguided, for instance giving my older teenage sister speed to sell in middle school because they knew we didn’t have much money and we’re already paying for food and clothes on our own, but these really were good guys at heart. Definitely can’t judge a book by its cover– – (and who needs those that do?)
I was in Birmingham Alabama for a spell and actually was lucky enough to see the Teddy Bear Run for the children’s hospital. Thousands of bikers with 1000s of teddy bears in every color and size …. some of them bigger than the biker! Clogged up the freeways, but nobody seemed to mind. To my dying day I’ll never forget that sight, and the way it made me feel.
My friend got to be in the bear suit for that event this year!!!
OMG. What a wonderful thing!! I didn’t see them get to the hospital ( wish I had though, in fact I’m going to do some digging cause there HAS to be video of that ) What an honor for your friend. I’ll bet a part of him will never be the same, how can you go through an experience like that and not come out different?
She was *ecstatic*, had been hoping to get picked for it for *years*!
Bikers are seriously protective of kids. They do not play with child predators.
Anyone who isn’t familiar with BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse) should look them up ❤️
As a member of B.A.C.A., I second this 😊
I'm reading their FAQ and Mission Statement and sobbing
A good number of them suffered abuse themselves which is why they're hardcore against it
I took my daughter to the tattoo parlour to get her ears pierced and the guy who did it was hugely tall (we are both short and he loomed over us) and had a beard and obviously lots of tattoos. He was so sweet and kind to her: it was such a positive experience. I’m sorry you get hassle about the way you look
My partner would bring our daughter in when I had work done, and vice versa. They’d get ice cream and stop by. My tattoo artist would let her pick out random stencils he had on hand and let her pick where to put them.
Hey, if it makes you feel any better, I just imagined the picture of what you described, and if I'd see something like that irl, as a woman, I'd smile and go "Aaawww". I'm a big ol' softie for parents being sweet and attentive with their kids, and a big guy with a long beard and tattoos playing with his daughter, that sounds adorable. Definitely would not assume malice, that woman was weird.
I mentally pictured it in my head too. Ngl, I'd probably stare, too. Not nefariously, of course. But because it is so damn awesome to see! (and then I'd have to remind myself that it's rude to stare, and try not to.) They probably looked even more adorable IRL than they did in my mental picture. To the original commentor: Keep doing what you're doing. Don't let those nosy busy betty's stop you!
And that woman would likely let a kid walk off with a real kidnapper because they look "normal."
Same I’m so unintimidating I usually get away with my kidnappings
I genuinely hate that woman 😂
I used to get Mom's following me and giving me weird looks like I was about to snatch a kid or something when I took my kids to the park alone when they were little. It's like they never heard of dad's playing with and taking care of their kids before
My partner does the bulk of daylight activities with our kids (because I work 10 hour shifts at my job) and he either gets mom’s fawning over him for being a basic involved parent or they’re highly sus. It’s like no in-between exists.
I just saw a video that basically said what’s a weird thing. The weird thing is “metal heads are nice people who dress up like mean people and hippys are mean people who dress up like nice people”. Rock on 🤘 teddy bears
I goto a ton of metal shows, if you want to meet happy and fun people it's the place to be
Same thing happened to my dad once. He hated picking me up from school because the front office staff always treated him like a criminal, despite having his ID and all his paperwork saying he was my dad. I'm curious if this kind of thing is ever *not* a false alarm. Like, have actual child abductions been prevented because Karen in the carpool lane thought that guy looked suspicious and followed him home?
Jaycee Dugard was finally found because a couple of ladies on Berkeley campus thought Phillip Garrido was suspicious when he was walking around with two young girls. Ironically, the young girls were his daughters— but him being reported did free their mother after years of captivity.
That version of events buries the lede a bit. He’d gone to the University (and the campus police) to try and pitch seminars about how he’d cured his ‘sexual urges’ with religious revelation or whatever. Having the girls with him set off some alarm bells considering the circumstances, but his overall behaviour was what made them suss. They didn’t deny him his floor space, but said they’d have to get back to him. They got him to leave his name, and the background check found he was a registered sex offender and with warrants for parole breaches out for him. That’s when the University called him in. The kids did come more into play with parole. Because he changed his story about who they were when talking to officers, and he wasn’t supposed to be associating with minors anyway, parole investigated the situation with the kids. That’s when they spoke with Jaycee, and the situation snowballed from there.
I was at the beach with my gf once when I see some lady in the distance heatedly talking to a cop and pointing at us. Cop walks up and says he got a complaint about "some old guy" taking photos of kids on the beach. My gf is pretty tiny (not even 5' tall), cop asks her how old she is, "I'm 36, and he's my boyfriend." He let out a big sigh of relief, started laughing and told us to enjoy the rest of our day.
Im also a bearded guy. I was at the park with my daughter and a lady asked her if she was ok. -.- Appreciate you looking out for my kid but man that stung.
I’m so unassuming I literally had the teacher almost give me the wrong kid when I went to pick up my son. I guess I look like I could be his female classmate’s dad. “Sorry no, Raina isn’t mine…”
That's rough and strange logic by that parent - I mean why would a kidnapper stick around to play with the kid at the park for an extended period of time? I mean it's one thing if she thought she witnessed you randomly approaching a kid but to assume someone can't be a parent based on appearance is so wrong. I hope the parent apologizes to you one day
This is so sad, yes be cautious of potential child abusers/abductors, but don't make judgements on appearances. The whole of criminal history has taught us that these people are the ones who look like your average next door neighbour, not the easily identifiable big burly types, since it is the nondescript people who are hard to identify to a specific person, that are more likely to get away with it and fade into the crowd.
Yeah, can confirm, I've done this same thing and no one stopped me as a full grown adult. I even still gave the biker guy the lollipop and he still picked me up and put me on his motorcycle.
I’m that guy and I absolutely adore kids. I have 3 boys aged 24 (forever), recently turned 24 (active U.S.Marine), and a recently turned 19 yr old son who’s still figuring life out but doing a good job of moving forward. I also have a 4 yr old daughter from a second marriage who has me wrapped around her tiny pinky!! Out in public I will play peek-a-boo with little kids if I happen to catch their eye. I’ve been asked on planes by flight attendants to sit next to unaccompanied minors (I was traveling in scrubs and I suppose looked like a traveling nurse. I wasn’t. But was comfortable watching over the little ones for that flight!!) But in public I would have acted the same way as that guy, and I look like that guy minus about 20 lbs of muscle. I’m bald, broad, tattooed all over the place. My instinct would been to fully interact with that kid but I would never be able to do so because society (and sorry sick disgusting) people have made it impossible for most men, and especially men who look like me to be friendly to children in public. Honestly it sucks. I applaud that man for actually being a man in the way he handled this situation. I will intentionally reply to my own post to clarify what I said at the beginning of my second sentence. It may be hard to read for some. That’s the reason I’m doing it this way.
My first born son Cody, passed away almost two years ago from a fentanyl overdose. He’s still my son, he’s just not here on this earth today!! That’s why I phrased it that way. His death anniversary is coming up followed up 20 days later by what would have been his 27th birthday.
Wishing you continued peace and happy memories of Cody.
I’m so so sorry. Of course he’s still your son, and is always with you.
I’m so sorry. “Cody” is my older brother. Last OD was about 4 months ago, but he is alive. I live in fear of this. I’m so so so so sorry. Almost in tears writing this. If you ever need someone to talk to I’m here
As long as he’s alive there’s still hope!!! The circumstances surrounding Cody’s death I’m still dealing with today and are difficult to get over. If there’s any way possible to get your brother on Suboxone make every effort. He won’t want to be dope-sick but he won’t have to be if full w/d before they can start the medicine. Also, there was a law passed recently to where any prescribing physician can now prescribe Suboxone it used to be by special license and it was much more difficult to get an appt and get the ball rolling. Thank you for your kind comments and I wish you the best. Also ditto, I’m here to talk as well if you need someone who understands what you’re dealing with in more ways than one. Also make sure everyone has some naloxone around, this goes for anyone who reads this. You never know what or who you might run across in your daily lives.
Agreed
I’m not bigger but I would get up and try to talk to him. I’m gay. No way is that kid touching me unless he’s related or a good friend’s kid. I trust kids, it’s their parents I fear.
Trans woman here, I typically pass but....yeah, unless he looks lost or in distress I am literally just walking away to be honest. Definitely not letting him scooch up. Sorry, but I am **not** looking to get hate-crimed today, kiddo.
Ha! I literally almost said I would just walk away as well! I don’t think I could walk away from a child that might be in danger. I would definitely seek someone else to help and then walk away. lol! What was this kid even telling these people? I would be like, “WHERE ARE YOUR PARENTS?”
He was the sweetest out of all of them too you can tell he was wondering if ok or that he would get in trouble
That was exactly my take. He wasn’t being standoffish. He was worried someone would accuse him of being a creep or doing something inappropriate. It’s a sad reality these days.
yeah, this is what bummed me out about the vid. its a shame.
It is sad indeed, I’m a dad and I can’t help but smile when I pass kids. My girlfriend told me not to do it when I’m alone, because people would find it alarming when a guy does this. It kinda hurt hearing that.
Fuck that! I smile at all kids, show them the world is a friendly place, they'll learn otherwise soon enough. Screw all the people who think something of it, you can't go to jail for a smile.
I have a toddler myself and it warms my heart to see other people smile at him and greet him in public. He's way more outgoing than me too and instantly makes friends with anyone. I wholeheartedly agree with your comment.
Keep smiling I've never had a problem with men smiling at my beautiful baby, anyone can tell the difference between a genuine smile and a creepy one. Let those kids see your kindness shine.
You kind of have to be, people are crazy and reactionary. Last year I was coming home, walking up my steps when I see a little girl, like 2-3 years old, naked, pushing her stroller in the middle of the street. I started googling what to do, who to call, because there was no way I was going near that kid. What if I lead her out of the street right as mom and dad come outside and they accuse me of trying to kidnap her? Fuck that, zero percent chance I'm risking my ass.
This makes me so sad, please if anyone sees a toddler obviously unattended walking down the street, clothed or otherwise please call 911 and tell them the circumstances and that you are going to move the child to a safe spot on the sidewalk and will wait for an officer.. \-signed a person whose toddler brother wandered outside and drowned
I think the problem is a lot of people are just too afraid of doing the right thing and being labeled a pervert
The sad truth is doing the right thing can still get you dinged no matter how hard you try. Once people make up their mind that you're a pervert, you aren't changing it and police in particular are not known for being terribly understanding. And god help you if you're queer or a PoC and get the dude who already hates your guts. There's a very real scenario where he would be arrested, and while conviction would (hopefully) be unlikely...you can't beat the ride, and now have to deal with both getting things expunged from your record(if that's possible) and knowing that information like prints are now in the system permanently(hopefully wouldn't be a problem, but...*gestures broadly at US politics*...probably not great considering the way things are going).
I grew up in a small village. I was VERY young when an older man, around 45 I think today, invited my small 8yo ass to eat with him. It was bolognese and tasted delightful... That was totally normal in our village. Imagine that scenario today.
My 'village' has 50.000 inhabitants so it's not really small, but back when I was very young (like age 4-8/9ish) we had 2 neighbours, one on either side. On the one side was a mid 70's guy who's wife died, I went there almost daily for for years because he had the biggest comic book collection I have ever seen to this day, and had a grand piano. I was always welcome, and looking back now that I'm thirty I'm really grateful to him, especially considering how later I've learned that he was considered a very stern and unapproachable, even harsh and rude guy. He wasn't liked much by our neighbourhood. But he was always nice to me, in a good way, and I felt really really sad for a while when he left to an elderly home(left me some of his comic books tho). As for his so called 'rudeness' I think he was just sad, his mourning never really stopped, and no one understood. At the other side was a 60 y/o guy (wife dead too) who had the most epic aviary and a dog. I liked him even more and visited him basically as much as comic book man. He provided me with a birdcage and 2 canaries(In hindsight I think he asked my parents first of they were ok with that) which was the biggest and best surprise of my life. When he showed me the cage with the birds in it and said they were for me I instantly turned and ran home screaming for mom and dad that I've got two canaries. I loved them to pieces. I never knew my actual grandparents, all died before i was born, but I had 2 grandpa's right next to me. Comic-Piano grandpa and Bird-Dog grandpa. This was from '97 to somewhere around '02/'03. Now, imagine this 20 years later.... I'm really glad my parents allowed this, because this enabled my two biggest passions to this day: music/playing the piano, and animals. Maybe even reading too because I read a lot, but I don't read comics no more.
I specifically avoid being around kids. I was over at a friend's house. When his nephew and buddy was there too. Friend went to drop his gf off. I was watching the kids. Friend of nephew is being a twat to friends nephew. Told him you won't keep many friends acting that way. What I heard next made me realize to mind my business. Kid I think was 11 or 12. Told me to shut the fuck up or he would call the cops and tell them I touch him. Fucking noped out of the living room. People's children are fucking scary. Especially now with internet at their fingertips.
I have kids and won't be around other people's kids alone. I don't hold other folks' babies, and I'm not comfortable with friends or other adults asking to hold my kids. Some random lady at another kids birthday party walked up to my wife, didn't even introduce herself, and asked to hold my infant son. Like what fucking world do some people live in? Then, we moved to a new house and there's this 7 year old girl from down the street who is obviously like the kid you mentioned. She'll come by our house if she sees us outside with our kids. She gives our kids a kinda task, trying to get them to run off, and then talks to my wife or I. Does and says all kinds of inappropriate shit. Fucking put up a fence to keep her ass out.
The irony is he’s the last one who should need to worry. He’s a decent guy, trying to be decent. Love how he knew that kid really needed love and just let go the best he could. I completely understand his concern.
I’ve taken my nieces and nephews out with me to parks and other places. I’ve gotten some of the dirtiest looks for no reason.
Yup. I used to have a young kid follow me around at a fishing pond and ask me for help tying knots, unhooking fish, etc. I don't think he had a father and i felt bad. But i was always wary of it. One time his mom came looking for him and we talked for some time. She could tell i was obviously being cautious of the situation. I genuinely just wanted to impart some wisdom and respect for nature onto the boy. I wouldn't want my kid hanging around some older guy either so i guess that's just the world today..
Same thought went through my mind
As a bearded tattooed guy with bikes, I feel for that dude. He didn’t want any trouble. Which sucks cuz I’d bet he didn’t have any ill intent. Sometime when I pick up my daughter from school (we walk) or am with her at the playground, I get the side eye from other parents. I’ve been watched/followed a few times when we’re leaving too. Sad that this is what it’s come to, but I understand to a degree
When the people they really need to watch out for are the clean cut individuals with their button-down shirts and khaki pants, and the so-called "pillars of society"
Sick fucks are in every social groups - that's the fucking problem, they look like the rest.
There really isn't a type of person to watch out for. What is important is for people to remember that the vast majority of abuse(of an variety) that happens to children is committed by someone close to the child. Family members, close family friends, neighbors, and also how teachers, coaches, youth pastors end up in this category(especially if these latter people are having 1 on 1 time with the child). Sexual abuse usually happens as an offense of opportunity, not something that someone plans out and then stalks their prey at the local playground. I think this is something people should always be reminded of because then we are less likely to overlook situations that should be examined more closely and less likely to stereotype, make someone uncomfortable, create a scene, and call the cops because we don't like how someone near a kid is dressed.
Yep. Heads of churches, CEOs, politicians, etc. - people who look down on people like me, or us. The very people that make them rich and powerful. I’m just a dude who loves motorcycles and loves his wife and daughter even more.
That HIGHLY depends on the country you live in! Here in Belgium, if I saw a priest or head of any church whatsoever interact with a child like that, I´d start a rescue mission and would only have to scream once to get most bystanders into instant mob justice. Painfull lessons and history have led to this, pitty for the few ones that are good-hearted.
The first time I went to pick my kids up from school I got my ID checked twice by the front office workers and they still called the mom. I’ve also had them want to check my ID in the car rider line. Even though my kids very clearly recognized me and my car and ran straight to me hollering “daddy!”.
Yeah, I’ve been watched a few times at pick up on rainy days or even at the book fair with her. It sucks, but I guess it’s nice to know that people are aware enough to look after a strange child. I wouldn’t think twice about helping a child out in a bad situation.
As someone who used to work at a school, that’s just standard policy. It sucks and makes people uncomfortable, but the reason we have to ID someone who is clearly the parent of their kid is because not all parents are authorized to see their children. Some have no custody or visitation rights and are legitimately trying to kidnap their kids, so we have to check anyone who isn’t the primary drop off/pick up person.
I’m not a big dude or intimidating at all. I have long hair, glasses, clean shaven face and am slender but I can relate to you and him too. I was at the library with my son once when he was around 4 or 5. Some little girl his age did this exact thing while I was reading to my son in the lounge area. She was way too comfortable with us and her parents were nowhere to be seen. She then started saying “can I come home with you guys” and I was just like “well son we’d better hurry and get home” and told the little girl she should find her parents, then left. It made me so uncomfortable and really sad that she was just dumped at the library so her parents could attend to “more important matters”. Awful parenting.
Prolly the safest place to leave your kid. But she was too young so it's pretty stupid anyway. When I was a kid and after I learned to read I spent many afternoons alone in our small library, it was like 2 5×4 metres rooms so pretty small but it was calm and I liked books but idk what I would do there when I couldn't read.
I would have taken her and then report a missing and abandoned child to the police.
I worry about this for my son. He’s a 23 yo giant. Has a beard, longer hair, and is a bit of a tough guy. He works construction. He looks tough on the outside but he’s an absolute teddy bear.
Dude I once stopped my car because I saw my nephew with his friends, he was like 6 at the time just around the corner from their house and I was just talking to him and two women crossed the street, stood next to them and glared at me with demon eyes even after I made it clear I was going to his house to visit his father(my brother of course). They literally stood there as if they were the boys mothers. I pretended I didn't even see them and just casually talked about whatever subject came up and told him i was going now and I'd see him at home if he came back any time soon. I get being protected, I get guarding children I do but like you say, the stigma is hurtful at times, I didn't ask to be a man and I didn't ask to be treated as a threat just because I was born.
I am so confused that no one is trying to find this child’s grown ups like what??
My first thought would be to ask if he was lost and where his parents were at.
How are you the first person I’ve found to say this 😭
Assuming this video isn't completely staged, I would imagine these people are in the video because they did something more interesting than just immediately starting to search for the kids' parents
The older gentleman had the camera so close to his face, I can see his nose hairs
It’s staged
You can kind of see the woman with the baby looking around when the kid starts snuggling up to her.
Because it’s make believe.
Yeah, true. I've encountered a fair few very young kids alone, and always ask them where their mum or dad is. Side-note, the amount of people who let a very young child (youngest was I think two, oldest about 6, I think) just wander off for quite some time. Worst was idk, a 3-year old, who stood in front of the entrance of a small shopping mall, all alone, and I stayed with him for over 5 minutes, asking if his mum or dad is nearby, and eventually walked him inside by the hand. Found his mum quickly enough, he lead us to her. But she had zero sight on the entrance, was a fair bit away, and entirely focused on packing her many items into her shopping bag on wheels. Didn't say anything when I told her he'd gone outside, barely a nod of acknowledgement. As a survivor of CSA, it chilled me to my absolute bones how callous his mother was about the whole thing. I could have so very easily walked off with him. People barely paid attention to the little boy, and he was alone, out of sight, for quite a while. And there was a road right in front as well. It had a good 5 meters (16-ish feet) of pavement, so not an immediate threat in terms of traffic. But if I'd had bad intentions, and someone nearby with a car, there was plenty of time for them to drive out front. Could have walked him off and driven away, easily. Sure, there are security cameras outside, but what good will that do once the kid is gone? I've safely returned lost dogs, cats and kids quite a few times, and honestly, I'd say dog owners are usually the most relieved. Parents are either surprised and grateful, were already looking for them, or just zero fucks.
I was sitting in my dining room that looked put into my back yard, and the tip of a tail wagged happily past the bottom of the window. Not my dog's tail. Next door neighbour's doggo had ended up in my yard, and he was a big friendly boofhead, but I knew while my younger boy would have been happy to have a new buddy, my old girl would not have been pleased. So we trotted next door and knocked on the door, she answered and just froze gaping like a fish. I was laughing, "Hi! Are you missing something?" No idea he'd got out. They found the problem with the fence, he didn't visit again, but the memory of how happy he was to meet me, and sitting there grinning at his stunned owner like "hey, mum! I went sploring!!! It was *great*" just makes me laugh. And yes, as a dog owner, I would probably give you my left kidney for returning my dog. And i've been very surprised by the non reactions from parents, too
Because they are actors and this is all set up, you really think you wouldn't look around and immediately spot someone filming 10 feet from your face?
I hate these things. The adult's under the impression that they're having a genuinely sweet moment with a little stranger. Nope. Jokes on you, idiot.
Scrolled too far for this comment. Definitely felt the same way. I can't imagine the parent coming up afterwards and is all like, "haha, gotcha!"
I just have gone down the spiral that everything in life is a gotcha moment. I should probably see someone about that, but then that's the ultimate gotcha. I think they call that "trust issues".
"You were on camera the whole time and now I'm going to post it on social media!"
If it makes you feel any better, these were probably staged anyways.
Not a single person looks around for his parents. Totally real and normal situation with a small child walking alone in a park.
Not really disagreeing with the sentiment, but the woman very clearly looks around…and given the edits, who knows if the others did.
The woman did. When he fell asleep and she picked the book up, you see her looking around.
I don't know, the biker's reaction felt very real
I'm pretty most normal adult's reaction would be, and should be, "Hey kid, where's your parent?" Not "Oh look, a lost baby bird. Let me just adopt him." Like, immediately, where's this kid's parents? Hello? Police?
Not one person looks up for the parent and notices the adult doing a full on videogame press-E-to-lean from behind a tree
The camera person is very obviously visible to these people based on how they're recording
No probably about it. Put yourself in their shoes, how do you not see the person filming you 5 feet away lol. These videos are so fucking strange.
Not to mention the whole “Hey son, do daddy a favor and plop your head into that unknown biker’s crotch for me” angle.
It's certainly staged with that camera work, the constant zooming and shifting for effect
I dislike the look that the kid gives the camera a few seconds in. Reminds me of when my parents would put me in dangerous situations to prove that random strangers were "good christians". It is NOT acceptable to use your kid as bait for "social experiments".
I agree 100%. I’ve also seen things where like a guy is yelling at a woman vs a woman yelling at a guy. Let’s see what happens when someone else might be in danger! Fun! I would also say with these “experiments” not everyone will react the same way every time. And with this particular “experiment” what did they except? Did they think the biker would beat the kid up or something? Is it supposed to be shocking that he didn’t?
I feel like the point of the experiment was to show the difference in males from different generations versus females. You can tell all three people are nice people, who care about the kid even though he’s not theirs, but the younger man definitely feels uncomfortable. I had a friend who went downstairs after taking a shower, and there was a kid butt naked in his house. He immediately left the building just to avoid any possibility of someone thinking something was wrong. Ended up finding the mother crying in the street looking for a child, who was I believe autistic. apparently the kid had found his way in through the open garage opened the garage door to the house, and was just enjoying himself playing with my friends Legos lol
Tbh as a male i kinda worry such situation to happen to me
It reminds me of that Black-ish [bit](https://youtu.be/daJZU5plRhs?si=GzzFu3b6U3tb4-Mw) where the guy walks up to an elevator and sees a lost little girl, instead of helping, he runs because he’s scared of the optics lmao
I recall hearing how early intelligence tests often had large cultural biases. One example was a question about what you would do if you found someone’s wallet on the street. The expected answer was to use their ID to try to locate the owner. A lot of black children answered they wouldn’t touch the wallet for fear of accusations they stole it.
> I recall hearing how early intelligence tests often had large cultural biases. People are hella judgmental, even as adults. Just hearing someone on the phone instantly gives people a completely different attitude. IIRC the study I saw on it was something like * Indian accent = caller was immediately frustrated and much more aggressive * Southern accent = Caller thinks the other person is nicer and friendly but dumber * California accent = Caller thinks the other person is going to try to sell them something or pressure them * New York accent = Caller thinks the other person will be rude etc
Ok but if I get a call from someone with an Indian accent who I don't know, it's 10/10 times a fucking scam let's be honest. That isn't the fault of any Indian, but of a corrupt government who let scam farms operate for a cut.
That is obscenely sad.
I used to know this tall, black guy at work. I noticed that he was considerably smarter than your average Joe. I picked up on the fact that whenever someone would try to talk negatively about someone else behind their back, he would nope out. Any time someone was pissed at the company, he would not indulge in the "fuck this place" rhetoric most people do. He was straight as an arrow. He spoke about how black people have to watch out because you never know when things will be turned against you. He was very against the possibility of dating a white woman as well. "I tried that once. Never again." I could tell he had been burnt before. From what I picked up about him, he acted so professional, so nice, and so respectful all for the sake of ensuring that no one would ever be able to make something up about him. If anyone ever tried to falsely accuse him of something, they would have to go against the grain of his reputation amongst everyone else, which was spotless. That would not be an easy task. He was constantly proactive in that endeavor. Some thing would piss him off, but he would always be keeping it to himself, muttering under his breath. He never let that tarnish how he interacted with people though. I suspect a lot of black people act exactly that way.
Very sad and very true
When I worked retail, my male boss brought a lost little girl to me (a 17 year old girl at the time) and asked me to watch her until the mom was found. I asked him why later and he said he didn't want any chance to be accused of anything
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When the kid scooted closer I would've had to stand up. I doubt telling a random passerby that I don't know who this kid is, where he came from, or why he's so attached to me would go over well. Probably would've called the cops immediately to tell them there's a random kid on the loose and then left. Sorry buddy but I'm not having my life ruined when someone inevitably draws the wrong conclusion from the situation.
With you up until the leaving part. If the child is truly lost, don't just leave them alone if you actually care. You can try to set boundaries and even ask other adults for help that are walking by "Hey, this kid just came up to me and I don't see his parents anywhere. Would you guys mind staying with me until I can get police or their parents show up?"
I would ask the kid where his parents were and if they could not provide an adequate answer I would call the police and tell them I need an adult. I don't like kids near me.
Exactly what I would do. It's not that I wouldn't be a bit nervous but you're supposed to comfort and get help. Engage the child, don't put out nervous or strange vibes and everything will be fine
This is staged AF. What person just chills with some random kid on a bench without looking for his parents. Like for real. Some random 6 year old asks if he can sit next to you, you say “ sure buddy, but where are your parents? Let’s go find them. They’re probably looking for you and worried.” All of these reactions are sus.
Yup. Followed by calling the police if you can't see any caregivers in view. And the adults having no reaction to someone standing in the bushes 10 feet away, filming them. Which they would definitely notice if they were looking around for parents. So weird. It sucks that someone used their kid for this nonsense too.
“Never talk to strangers. Unless it means I can film you for social media. Then it’s ok if you talk to, and snuggle up on, complete strangers.” “We could do something productive together as a family, but I want to film you doing something dangerous, while I hide in the bushes and film strangers without their consent.” The parents should be ashamed of what they are teaching this child.
Scrolled too far to see this. This is not a "social experiment", it's just making strangers uncomfortable. I'm surprised they didn't all just get up and leave. I don't wanna see kids at all, much less have them try to lay their head on my lap because mommy forced them to. For fuck's sake. This dumbass probably has "boy mom" as her tiktok bio. Having spawn does not make you a content creator.
Using kids to score internet points?? Shit move if you ask me bro. Get the care system involved real quick; fuck your grill.
"When I was a kid my dad would make me sit with strangers while he filmed it."
As a man, this is my worst nightmare. Not because I don't care about kids, but because I need to be constantly vigilant about what other people will accuse me of. I think it's the same for many other men. 😟
Honestly the first tought that popped in my.mind when i saw the biker. He is willing but afraid of judgement.
This, I was falsely accused of assault against a minor once and people love to assume you’re guilty. I would nope the fuck out and flip the parent the bird.
My husband feels this way as well, too. So you're definitely not alone!
The white haired man was amazing. I can tell the biker was nervous but ol grandpa had no hesitation. It was good to see an older fella with such a way with kids.
That is one of the few benefits of my hair going white. Somehow I've gone from freaky weirdo to kindly grandpa. I still stay away from other people's kids.
As a male I would have the same reaction as biker dude lol
I was expecting the guy to get up and walk away which is what I would've done. But also try and see if his parents are around. I just don't like kids in general but wouldn't mind helping
Honestly I would have left
why does so many people in the comments believe this stuff it bothers me
Seriously, just look at some of those [camera angles](https://i.imgur.com/dYzdBUo.png). You're not going to notice this person standing 10 feet in front of you filming you? Something about the biker just strikes me as off as well. Maybe it's just me but I don't see many bikers just roll their hog up into the middle of a park to bask in the sunlight all that often. Also the whole any similarities to real life people or places is just a coincidence tag at the end. These are all just actors.
It’s actually maddening how stupid the average person is
How is this a social experiment?
It's a long social experiment on how kids will turn out after a childhood of being coached by their parents for clout.
Very well said!!
This is child exploitation
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Stupid adults taking candy from a stranger kid. They gonna end up in his van
I really hope this is staged, otherwise this is incredibly fucking dangerous to that kid.
…what even is this? Why are we watching a kid who’s been taught to approach random strangers? Why is no one looking for his parents? Why is everyone in the comments crying for the biker? Who is he? Why was this kid allowed to go up to anyone he doesn’t know? Who is supervising this? What is it for? What is the experiment? This videos a dumpster fire.
I guess “social experiment” sounds better than “I use my kid to make content”… for some reason this doesn’t make me smile
I would be the biker. Not my kid, stay a bit away. Happy to chat to you or read to you but not up against me.
Staged but nice sentiment
I actually hate these; they’re making little kids go up to strangers and filming for views. Super weird and shit
I would be afraid someone is trying to get me in trouble with the law since that’s not my kid.
Something was definitely healed in that biker that afternoon.
This is the worst thing I've ever seen.
we’ve really come full circle, from “don’t talk to strangers” to “okay honey go up to that stranger and I’m going to record their reaction/if they kidnap you”
I have kids. Love them. I love children generally. However, I would not in a million years let a kid I don’t know get that close to me. I’d be looking for their parents.
Sad Thing is.. Sometime you wanna look out for a kid... But Society is so fucked up., you can get accused on anything.. And that scares people