This is really weird.

I don't know what to say truthfully.

Why didn't he just buy the game and give it to you or him? That would've been easier (and more thoughtful in my book) than just giving you cash.

But he didn't, so maybe he thought when you turned the cash down that meant you didn't like him. Or he was trying to buy your affection so you would feel grateful and maybe hook up with him?

I think you handled the situation well and it's what I would have done also. I do believe he approached it the right way as well. I prefer people (men especially) ask before giving my kids gifts. I'd also email like Anna said to just clarify your intentions and that you didn't mean to insult him.

I'm not sure what his motives were. Perhaps your son had talked about the game during the walk and the man just felt like he'd like to help out. I think you've mentioned before that your ex is not in the picture? I have friends that have taken on a mentor-like role with my son because his father isn't around. I didn't realize it at first, because it was something simply said like "can I take your son fishing". I was a little worried at first, but found it wasn't anything about me, but all about my son. There are two men that now take him on "guy" outings (camping, fishing, bike rides, etc). It has helped him immensely with his confidence and he also knows that there are men he can talk to when mom just might not understand.

Anyway....I'd just email. Apologize if it came across wrong, but that you do appreciate the gesture. Good luck!!

The guy was trying to be a nice guy.
You turned down his gesture.
He is embarrassed/his ego is bruised.

Talk to him...seriously...it works MIRACLES

One more note.......I think the title is misleading......At that point he was no longer a stranger.......I was picturing a guy with an arcade in the back of his van.

That too

Why don't you suggest that he buy you dinner before he starts buying your son gifts?

And this ^^^

Sometimes people want to do something and don't know how to go about it. Then they just up and try and it all comes off HORRIBLE (been there, done that). He's most likely embarrassed, especially since you expressed discomfort at the idea.

So yeah, follow up with an email to him saying you do appreciate the gesture and you noticed that you may have offended him and wanted to be sure that he knew you think he's a very good guy and liked getting to know him (then follow up with Roadies suggestion )

Ok do what i do: Scale him

If he is anything lower than an 8, forget about it and move on.

Higher than that, you know what to do

Edit: usually i dont scale guys

Yes you do. Don't lie.

Ok do what i do: Scale him

If he is anything lower than an 8, forget about it and move on.

Higher than that, you know what to do

Edit: usually i dont scale guys

You said I was a 9.

Hi guys...

So, I have recently become pretty involved in a meetup group for single parents.

There is this one dad that I think is totally cute. We went on a hike (with a group), and he spent a good amount of time talking separately to my son and then me.

The next time I saw him was a few weeks later, at a bonfire. He came up to me, I was SO happy because I am interested in him. We start talking and all of a sudden he tells me that he knows my financial situation is tough, and that he would really like to give me some money for my son to buy a particular video game.

I gently turned the offer down via email later, telling him how nice it was but I did not feel comfortable taking the money.

Went on another meetup a few days ago, and the guy barely said anything to me. He was nice, And greeted both me and my son, but that was it.

I am confused. What do you think of this? Was he really just being a nice guy? Or was this something else?

Not something I would do, (not because I am "mean", simply because I know it gets interpretted in an odd manner), but I dunno really.

Some guys buy things to claim possession, (I don't think it was his case, but I have heard of weirder), so maybe he thought by buying your son a gift it would show how he likes you? (Sounds pathetic, and I agree, but again I have seen and heard weirder).

Probably just being a nice dude, although exactly how does he know your financial situation? If you barely know him, why does he even know about your finances? Is he assuming?

Regardless you probably made the right decision. He, in one way or another, is butthurt. If he cares enough he will get over it and start paying attention your way soon enough.