r/AskChicago • u/putonthespotlight • 4h ago
I READ THE RULES Weird interaction in Wicker Park, woman trying to hand me cash?
Has anyone experienced this? I walked up to a bus stop and a woman was standing there as if waiting for the bus.
She randomly asks for, "Excuse me. Can I ask you, can you give me like.... 5 dollars?"
"Nope."
She starts laughing and then goes,"Okay okay, can I give you...." She reached into her pocket and I got spooked and kind of backed away quickly. "No no listen. I want to give YOU money. Can I give you a dollar?"
She was holding the bill with a small cloth around it. Like the small cloth that comes with a pair of new glasses. I.e. it happened very quickly, but I think she was holding the cloth not the bill, and holding the bill out for me to take.
"I want to give YOU money!"
"I want you to stop it."
Another woman approached the bus stop and she tried handing the bill to her too. The other woman noped out as well.
I think the woman (asking/trying to give) money was African, very bright red lipstick. I think shorter than me and I'm only 5'6". Dressed in bright colors.
Am I overthinking it?
The other woman who walked up mentioned those weird news stories about people touching their car doors and feeling queasy immediately, and said she had goosebumps from the interaction.
And after we both gave clear nos, she just turned down a separate street and slowly wandered away. I.e. did not appear to need to take the bus any longer?