Unfiltered Story #299793

In the early 1980’s when I was about 15 years old and innocent and still naive, I worked in a discount department store at the snack bar at the front of the store. Within a few months, one of the other department managers, in his early 50’s, started hanging around the snack bar to talk with me. One day, he approached me as I worked.

Other Department Manager: “Hey, [My Name], you’re looking good. How are you today?”

Me: “I’m doing just fine, how are you?”

Other Department Manager: “I’m good. Hey, I got you something.” *Hands me a teddy bear.*

Me: “Oh, well, thanks.”

At the end of my shift, my mother arrived to pick me up. I walked to the car with teddy bear in hand.

Mom: “What’s that you got there?”

Me: “Oh, this is from [Other Department Manager]. He gave it to me today.”

Mom: “WHAT???? You mean that 50 year old man you told me about???”

Me: “Yes, why?”

Mom: “I’ve been listening when you have told me that he comes to the snack bar to talk with you. That’s been a little concerning. But it is completely inappropriate for him to give a gift to a teenage girl. Don’t worry. Your father and I will take care of this.”

My parents called and spoke to the store manager about their concerns. The next time I worked, [Other Department Manager] was not there. I heard from the grapevine that he was transferred to a different store. And I learned my first lesson about creepy, inappropriate older men.