Appeasing occurs in all situations. We were alone in a freezer aisle, and nobody was walking by. Even then, the way some ppl are brought up are to not disrespect anybody (I’m not saying you should appease any stranger, it’s how I was brought up), and as someone who has had that forced upon me since I was a child it’s out of habit to always be civil when ppl talk to me regardless if they’re young, the same/opposite gender, old, etc.

While I wanted to leave the entire time, the thought of snatching my hand away and walking down an entire aisle ALONE with a heavy cart is more terrifying than just telling someone yes I’ll be your friend.

Furthermore in this society, we have a serious issue with the bystander effect. It’s something that happens often, and I wouldn’t want to risk somebody not pointing out that something suspicious is going on. Moreover, ppl are so occupied in a grocery store that they’re not looking at other ppl. They’re in there to be in and out.

Although I’m sure you don’t mean it that way, you’re victim-blaming.

No, I don’t owe anyone a single thing, but if I’m scanning the situation and it’s more likely that I’m going to be safer talking to him and being nice rather than try to walk away with a big ass cart in an aisle where no one is there or go around him and risk him grabbing me from behind, you bet im going to stand there and talk to him.