Yesterday I was in a shop in the country, near a High School, stopped to buy a coffee. A student came in, a boy of 16 at the oldest. He tried to pick me up. I am a 46 year old male. No words passed between us. He was waiting for me on the step. Not a prostitute, etc. I don't think. I walked past, stepped into my car and drove off.

When it is an adult, ignoring unwanted advances seems to be the civilised thing to do. When it is a minor... it seemed cruel: he had to see me hanging my head, etc. but what else could I have said or done? Maybe a smile? No. Any expression would have been condescending, yes?

To show him some affection in a discrete place would have been against my principles and the law, and not what I dream of, but ethically it seems to be a lose/lose situation.

Perhaps some of you have been where this young fellow was. How would you see it? How do you see it ten years after?

If no words were exchanged, how do you know he was trying to pick you up?

Seems you have grasped something and made it a bigger deal than its worth. These are the things in life that may be weird or strange, and it makes you think weird or strange things. Why it triggers weird and strange thought from you is a mystery to me, but you at least did not act on those thoughts.

I think its healthy to let your thoughts wonder a bit, as long as things are kept in the proper perspective, and not dwelled on unduly.

This has nothing to do with being polite.

Manners either.

You are 46, he was- at the most- 16 years old.

I agree that your thoughts on this are weird and strange and a mystery as Tal said above. In case you are unsure, it is totally inappropriate in any way, shape or form, to allow yourself to second guess not engaging with a 16 year old male- prostitute or not.

I am with J9 on this one... how did you know he was trying to pick you up?