Some years ago now, at one of my early jobs in the mall, I used to get told by others (women mostly) in my area to "be more sociable, doesn't hurt to say hello".

So, following their "advice", I greeted one of the girls (who I'd never seen before) who came into my work area to do something or other. All I said was "hi".

That afternoon I was approached by the manager. Apparently, I had followed the girl, on more than one occasion, and called out to her by name in public. I was fired, and then told "If I see you here, or talking to any of my staff again, I will take a personal interest in you, and I would consider that a threat".

A week later I saw another employee from there, and she told me another (female) employee, one I knew NOTHING about (my friend told me her name) made an allegation that I followed (that) woman home with a knife. MeToo lol.

I found out later that not only had mall security been told to follow/stalk me, two of the original girl's WK "friends" were on "watch" as well. Sometimes I wonder.

That's a pretty severe repercussion for just saying "hi", wouldn't you say? And they wonder why I don't approach girls lol