So this actually happened last year on Father’s Day but I remembered it today and physically recoiled.
Backstory: My dad and I have this stupid little tradition where I give him a gift somewhere public, like I sneak it to him as a surprise. I was at the mall grabbing lunch, saw this kiosk selling these dumb “World’s Okayest Dad” mugs, and decided it was perfect.
I buy it, toss it in a little gift bag, and spot him sitting on a bench outside a bookstore. He’s wearing the same kind of cap and jacket he always wears, sitting just like he usually does legs crossed, checking his phone.
So I sneak up, drop the bag next to him and go, “Happy Father’s Day, old man.”
He looks up.
It is NOT my dad.
It is a completely random man who now looks both confused and slightly terrified.
I just stood there for a full second, processing, then went “Oh my god I’m so sorry” and grabbed the bag like I was defusing a bomb. I mumbled something like “Wrong dad” and walked away at a speed that probably broke mall laws.
Texted my real dad after: “Do NOT go near the bookstore. I just traumatized someone.”
TL;DR We still laugh about it, but yeah. Somewhere out there is a guy who thinks a weird dude tried to gift him a mug and then fled the scene, and I still get physical recoil every time I try to go near that store.