Go then, there are other instances than these
And that’s one reason why I hate sand…
This could be a setting in a Stephen King novel. They usually don’t end well.
I am really curious about the situation, but all I’ve to say is be safe and update us.
Could it be that your (real) name is possibly of French origin, or at least it sounds French to them? Maybe they wrongly assume that you are of French origin, so they try to be more friendly.