omg! I was groped by a dumpster diver
This morning I was leaving out to take a drive to the park and walk around the track and hit a few tennis balls. Before I left, I grabbed two empty Sprite cans from last night and thought I put them in the recycle bin next to the dumpster. Grabbed my racket, the cans, and head for the dumpster.
There is this old Asian guy with blue surgical gloves on with items laid out, outside of the dumpster and it looked a like a garage sale. As I approach him, I thought how convenient, he had his stainless steel grocery shopping cart, and several cans and bottles sorted. So I extend out my hand to give him the two cans, his face lit up in joy, he was smiling, laughing, positive gesturing, and joyfully took the two cans. At the same time, I am thinking: I hope his hands don’t touch mine with those gloves. After all, he was digging into garbage. Sure enough, his fingertips touched my hand during the exchange. So all I could think was I have to get to my car to that hand sanitizer.
He couldn’t speak a lick of English, not enough to even say “Thank You,” but his facial expressions and body language said “Thank You” and much more. I hand off the cans and proceed to back off with a good feeling, and walking away.
The last person I encountered at a gas station was inside of the dumpster, I felt bad and gave him five dollars. I got a smile and a thank you and that was sufficient. That was enough for 100 cans for this guy.
Okay. Back to this morning. I back away and the old Asian guy, who stood probably about 5 feet tall with his face at my breast level, reached out for a hug. I was like: Oh what the hell, and little hug won’t hurt…lol, he’s already contaminated my hands…lol. With his hands spread wide laughing and giggling in joy, he gives me this HUGE bear hug. He squeezes on me so hard (with his face resting in my breast), that I realized at some point, this was too much for a simple friendly jester. So he’s squeezing, with his hands clinched together behind me.
This must have gone on for 10 seconds. I am thinking: Enough of this! And as I am literally prying myself out of his arms, he plants a slobbed kiss on the right side of my neck. He had to have used his tongue with a light suction. I was utterly disgusted, but still tried to maintain my composure. I’m thinking: get to the hand sanitizer. get to the hand sanitizer. That’s all I could think of.
I briskly walk to the car and see a carload of people slowly driving by. Just watching…lol.
As soon as I get to the car, I douse my neck with sanitizer and I was afraid to look in the mirror, ‘cause I thought I might have a quasi-hicky. The alcohol made the area a little red maybe from the chemical reaction with the saliva. Maybe this was just a cultural thing. I don't know. But what I DO know is that is the LAST time I will had off recyclables to this old joker. And to think what possibly could have happened if I brought a bag of cans and bottles. I’d hate to even think....lol.
U were nice to let him hug u! i don't know if i coulda, u got 2 feathers in ur angel wings for that!
lol, Stephanie, I have an affinity to old people, so there wasn't much hesitation. But, definitely, there won't be any future hugs for this old dude...lol
Alright BlogPassion, let me set this up. Yet another few things that we have in common, sanitizer in the car, recycling, and a particular love for elderly people. You clearly are a kindred spirit.
Where we part company, my fear of being touched or accosted by people on the street. Primarily because of my germ warfare. The sanitizer is like an interlude to me getting to soap and HOT water, lol.
Also, I worked in downtown Los Angeles for seven years, passing by hoards of derelicts after parking my car and walking to city hall. Some were very aggressive in approaching you for money, especially if you said no. And that was my first adult employment. Scared me silly.