So today I’m (42F) staying about 3 hours from home on a work trip, and the hotel I booked last minute after checking reviews that said it was good, was really not. The room smells like athletes foot funk. It’s literally the only room and I had to prepay. Ok, cool. There’s a clean bed and I’m tired.
So I run to Walmart to grab a couple things mainly being febreeze and when I come back and park at the hotel, there is now a random case of Bud Light and a travel mug beside my car where there wasn’t when I had left. So, I assume it’s someone in their car. No big deal. Until when the dude says “oh, hey, l hope I didn’t startle ya” as he walks out from beside his tall ass truck, and in return, my dumbass decides to blurt out “damn, and here I thought I was gonna make off with a free case of beer!” Cue the laughter from dude and he hands one my direction and asks if I want one. So my spastic brain decides to ACCEPT THE BEER. Insert facepalm here. My brain also was simultaneously screaming WTTTTHHHHHFFFFFF as I casually said thanks bro, made my night. Lime, WTF?! I’m the most introvert and this is the best that my brain soup can come up with, and literally I’m Sligo g lines like I have never experienced crippling social anxiety.
So I don’t think anything of it, just some random dude sharing beer. Then, as I turn the corner as we go in the main entry, he turns back and asks “oh, I suppose I should give you two.” Now, if everything I had already said out of character was bizarrely out of character, my brain had one more in me that was cosmically ooc – “Nah, one will put me out like a light. Thanks again, man.”
Now, when I shut the door to my room behind me, I didn’t think anything of it. Popped it and had a lil bit. About three swigs in, it hit me- he was offering two for if I had a man along.
While I know that this dude is most likely harmless, I’m laying here awake making a post on Reddit, finding it hard to shake that weird feeling that comes with knowing some rando 3 doors down knows I’m all alone at a dead end road motel on a bay. I suppose I’ve watched way too many horror flicks but I still can’t help but feel like an idiot for my brain awkwardly speaking out of turn from nervousness. I also can’t help but feel like maybe this isn’t the best hotel to sleep with earplugs at as well. It’s a family run joint in the boonies of a popular, yet rural, tourist city. Could use a lot of upkeep, especially on the quality of door locks!
TL;DR my neurodivergent self awkwardly accepted a beer from a random dude and in the processes of the ensuing awkward conversation I realized my responses confirmed I was traveling alone, all at a janky hotel in the sticks and his room down my hall).
Comments
Make sure you post tomorrow to let us know you’re still alive.
Screen cap this post and send a text to yourself/someone you trust with a description of the guy.
Yikes. I hope this is a lesson that will be burned into your brain never to do again.
No ear plugs in, keep your phone handy. Do you travel with a weapon?
Updateme.
Dude. Idk. I (38F) absolutely know the feeling and I’m sorry you’re in that situation.
Basically I’m just commenting to say, keep your doors locked in all the ways available and don’t answer any knocks unless you are 100% about who it is, don’t finish the beer, and keep in regular touch with the people who you check in with.
There’s not much you can do, I don’t think, except be vigilant and aware.
He could totally just be a slightly sleezey guy hoping for a hook up and not dangerous.
I’d love an update in the morning to know you’re doing good. I’m sure you’re just in for an uncomfortably hypervigilant night and that’s all you have to worry about.
Eta: idk if it matters to you or not, but I’m gonna be praying for safety for you, and rest despite it all
Go knock on his door and say your husband wants a beer.
You’ll be fine. But yeah make sure you check in with all of us tomorrow!
You’re being a bit paranoid, if it makes you feel better put a chair infront of the door or something else to stop the door handle from opening
Can you move some furniture around? Putting something heavy in front of the door and any window will provide some semblance of security. If he’s got any intentions, the presence of any kind of blockade will dissuade a lot of people. And it will help you to be able to sleep a little bit.
I wouldn’t worry yourself too much over it. All he did was offer you a beer or two, he’s probably just a friendly person who felt like sharing. I’ve done the same many times. Could he have malicious intent? Maybe, I guess. Trust your instincts but don’t overthink it.
I totally get why women feel unsafe in situations like this, but there’s a good chance the guy was just chancing his luck thinking he might get laid. He probably finished the cans off, tugged himself off and passed out.
LOL everyone acting like this dude is a murderer but OP was out there spitting game be prob just thought she liked him.
Or he is a murderer.
Not accepting the 2nd beer does not just leave the conclusion that you’re traveling alone, it could mean the other you could be traveling with doesn’t like Bud Light, or simply that you just misunderstood what he was saying. Either way, if he went out of his way to offer you two beers I doubt he’s some kind of psycho.
He is likely just a traveling worker. Some can be creeps but likely harmless.
Should’ve asked for another two beers…and a dish of milk.
The lime flavor helps to hide the taste of the drugs.
Also, walk down the corridor loudly threatening an imaginary person on the phone while scratching your crotch to assert dominance. Jokes aside, you’ll be okay, just look out for bed bugs.
Two is just being courteous. Can’t walk on one leg as pops would say.
If it’s any consolation I always offer two beers when I offer someone one
Knock on his door and ask for 8 more beers, let him know you and your teammates are in town for the unisex rugby league.
Chill…trying to over evaluate an interaction has no value for you.
I’ve been that guy in the past. Staying in motels for work can get boring and repetitive really quick. But a lot of the other people are there for the same reason, and sharing a few bets with someone can really break up the monotony and make the trip go by a lot easier.
Fellow neurodivergent woman here, I have found myself in WAY too many circumstances similar to this because I can’t apparently tolerate a half second of awkward silence. If in doubt, play dumb and ask someone to repeat themself so you have more time to process what they are saying or intending. Remember strangers are strangers and you’ll probably never see them again! You can lie about “oh my mind is elsewhere, sorry, my 2 year old has the flu I’m exhausted” any day of the week.
However I did want to note the word “spastic” is considered quite a harsh word at worst and a slur at most. Its not a nice way to describe yourself or anyone else
If you’re having trouble getting to sleep because of this, put a wedge, or an improvised wedge, under the door. That can make unauthorized entry very much harder and more noisy.
While you’re kicking yourself for how you reacted, he’s probably in his room kicking himself for not inviting you to his room. He’s probably slipping into sleep thinking about the hot, funny, and cool chick that got away.
Please sleep well.
There’s nothing wrong to be cautious. Text someone or call someone close to you and explain the situation and describe the guy and tell them his room# just to be safe. Use a chair to block the doorknob.
I think you’re reading way too much into the interaction. The joke that you cracked made it sound like you would appreciate having some of his beer. He obliged. Sounds like a friendly fellow traveler, that’s all.
I’m sure he was just being friendly. Don’t sleep either your earbuds in. Make sure the windows are locked and the door is locked and deadbolted. He didn’t ask you to go back to his room and have some beers with him. He didn’t say anything inappropriate. And the fact that you turned down the second beer doesn’t mean you are traveling alone. Just be extra aware of your surroundings tomorrow. Sleep well and be safe.
Sorry, OP, but I’m here literally LOLing because that’s exactly what I would say, being the neurospicy, introverted person I am. And I would have the exact same reaction thinking this guy is gonna rape and kill me. Sometimes, I have the feeling that my brain hates me for making my life this hard.
He’s probably just friendly, may be thinks you were hitting on him. Nonetheless, let a friend or a sibling know of the situation and make sure to put something behind the door that would alert you if moved.
I hope it’s just your anxious brain hating you and you are safe!
You are probably fine. Too much true crime tv
Still maybe put a chair under the doorknob just in case tho
Rest now ya lil over thinker, you’re ok.
I literally got handed a couple beers through my truck window from some dude on horseback a couple weeks ago. 2 is like customary out here though
Damn, people in these comments are crazy. Offer someone a beer and all of a sudden you’re a murderer?! Quit watching so much true crime, people!