“Where are your parents?” the man asked the little girl, as he cut off the direction she was walking
I don’t want that to be a narrative that any person can ever tell about me. It could be a totally innocent act, but a sinister framing is easy to assume and impossible to refute.
Well, if the choice is between being perceived as a creep vs watching the kid get hurt, I’ll pick the option that doesn’t end with an injured kid. But if the kid is just wandering and not in danger, like I said, there’s no reason to intervene, for just the reason you listed.
I don’t want that to be a narrative that any person can ever tell about me. It could be a totally innocent act, but a sinister framing is easy to assume and impossible to refute.
Hard pass.
If you’re that worried, figure out your phrasing. “Hey, lets get you back to your parents” probably can’t be misconstrued.
Well, if the choice is between being perceived as a creep vs watching the kid get hurt, I’ll pick the option that doesn’t end with an injured kid. But if the kid is just wandering and not in danger, like I said, there’s no reason to intervene, for just the reason you listed.