Angela Philipps, Contributor

Some of you have had the unfortunate discomfort of happening upon a stalker! However, let me give you some advice - steer clear of these crazy characters, no matter what their good side is!

Do these men suppose that we like creepy-crawlies? They do not just come in the insect form, you know! Truth be told, the human version is far more frightening. Moreover, why is it that they are not mortified by this loss of sanity?

Stalking comes in varying degrees

1. The strange man at the bus stop who is always following you to and from work.

2. The guy with whom you have been on ONE date, who keeps calling you even though you have made it clear that you are not interested in him anymore.

3. The ex-boyfriend who does not want you back, but hates the idea of you being with anyone else, and you keep seeing his car parked outside your house.

A reader has requested that I write about this, but I must admit that I do not have great experience in the matter. I will share a sinister story, though.

Some time ago there was a man who I was interested in, and he had the 'hots' for me too. I went to a party and we kissed. He wanted more, but I am no 'floozy' so there was no way that was going to take place. Getting déjà vu, ladies? Why is it that the lads out there believe we all want sex on a first-time encounter?

A week later, he asked me if I could come over to his house. I said I was out with friends and that he was welcome to link up with us. In fact, I had made plans for the rest of the week, but I invited him to come along each night. His answer was always, "No, but why don't you drive over to my place after?" Eventually, I got tired of this and said, "Look, if you're seriously interested in me, then I suggest that you join my friends and me at the bar tonight."

Cool

Surprisingly, he did turn up and everything seemed to be cool. When I was ready to go home, I went to say goodbye to everyone. WELL, SAH! Who told me to speak! This guy went ballistic on me. "Why are you leaving? You made me come out and now you are going home without me!"

RED LIGHT! I was flabber- gasted! I turned and walked away, and he proceeded to follow me, shouting goodness only knows what. I turned to him and said, "One kiss does not mean you OWN me. And since when did a social invitation translate into 'I want to take you home'?"

Vex

Man, I was vex you see. I could not get out of there fast enough!

I went home, ALONE, and fell soundly asleep. At four in the morning, my phone started to ring. I recognised the number to be that of the mad man, so ignored it. Then it rang again, and again, and again, and another 10 times until he finally relented an hour later. Oh, but wait, the story does not end there. He left four messages calling me a ... (expletive deleted) … I simply cannot repeat the words in this respectable paper.

I was disturbed and started fretting that he would show up at my door. Of course, he had no clue where I lived so that was unlikely. In addition, you would think, well perhaps, that was it.

Maybe he will be so humiliated when he wakes up later that he will never try to contact me again. Oh no … the calls started back at nine in the morning for another hour. Give it up, brother! For Pete's sake (whoever Pete is!)

How much more humiliation was he willing to take? I mean, do not think for a minute that I would not be telling this tale to everyone I knew!

Anyhow, crazy man (now nicknamed Stalker) and I have a mutual acquaintance who called him soon after and told him NEVER to contact me again. Up to this day he has not - maybe he is embarrassed!

angelaphilippsja@hotmail.com