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AIBU?

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Frightened

366 replies

IveGotToGoToMeDads · 01/10/2024 11:01

Just been into the local cemetery walking my dog, and felt uneasy about a man who seemed to be watching me.
He went to one grave down the bottom of the hill, went to another all while watching me, he didn't have any flowers or nothing for anyones grave. He appeared to be talking to himself.
He slowly made his way up towards the hill towards me, at this point my back where to him. I felt really uneasy, so faced towards him and he was staring at me and I felt really intimidated he stopped at another grave and then faced me again staring. I felt is was not quite right and my gut instincted was going, so I decided to abandon my walk with the dog and run back to the car. Got in the car and locked myself in and come back home.

OP posts:
BlueGrackle · 01/10/2024 13:27

I don’t think people should walk dogs around graveyards, even well behaved non pissing, shitting or biting ones. It sends a signal to all and sundry its ok to walk dogs there and it only takes a minority of irresponsible owners that let their dogs run loose and don’t clean up ruin it for everyone.
I’m glad you managed to get safely away from your perceived threat, but think you should find somewhere else to walk your dog in future.

Mamabobogo · 01/10/2024 13:26

IveGotToGoToMeDads · 01/10/2024 11:18

@KimberleyClark no I don't think it was about dog poo or anything.
I always pick up dog poo where ever i am any way.

Like he’d know that!

he was probably staring at you, because you appear to have been starring at him?

IveGotToGoToMeDads · 01/10/2024 13:24

@QueenCamilla what are you not understanding?
My dogs mess is picked up everytime, he has never and would never wee up the gravestones.
Stop tarring everyone with the same brush, a lot of us are responsible dog owners.

OP posts:
oakleaffy · 01/10/2024 13:23

5128gap · 01/10/2024 13:19

I never thought of that! I assumed it was because at times teens would congregate there and it was at a distance with my hood up and he was a bit short sighted.

Oh a Hoodie!

Talking of hoods... has anyone seen ''Don't look now?''

One of the most scary endings ever in a film {for me anyway}

{I won't do a 'spoiler'}

When I first saw it I nearly dropped my tea at in law's house at the ending.

QueenCamilla · 01/10/2024 13:23

Maybe the man was trying to take a dump and OP interrupted

WinterAconite · 01/10/2024 13:21

Better to trust your instincts than to "be kind" and regret it.

Tara336 · 01/10/2024 13:21

Always trust your instinct I had a similar experience with a man in a park, he was quite a long way from me and I suddenly felt scared. I called my dogs and started walking in the opposite direction and he suddenly caught up with me, kept trying to block my path and asking for my phone number, if I was married (old enough to be his mum) and was just not taking no for an answer, I asked a passing couple for help and the man scared him off while I stayed with the woman. As creepy guy was walking away he threatened to get a gun and shoot me in the face "so no one would want me". I called the police and I have to say they were brilliant but couldn't trace him and they really did try.

So definitely trust your instinct

QueenCamilla · 01/10/2024 13:21

IveGotToGoToMeDads · 01/10/2024 13:15

@QueenCamilla not everyone thinks the same as you.
Alot of people are okay with dogs in cemetaries.

Yeah, and a lot of people are OK with their dog shitting everywhere and not picking it up and with their dogs pissing on my front garden gate. Doesn't make it acceptable at all.
You are engaging in disgusting behavior because you can get away with it. Tells me everything I need to know.

Cantbelieveit888 · 01/10/2024 13:20

Nobody will actually know what his intent was, however at anytime you feel unsafe…just go with you gut and get the hell out of there!!

IveGotToGoToMeDads · 01/10/2024 13:19

@Sunflowermoonbeam thank you.

OP posts:
oakleaffy · 01/10/2024 13:19

QueenCamilla · 01/10/2024 13:14

Fuck sake, you're disrespectful the very moment you bring your dogs anus to toilet in a graveyard!

Carry on your filthy habits but don't be surprised when someone stares you out.

The graveyard I visit {Pic above} is thankfully free of dog mess- It's a large cemetery, and the only people who I have seen with dogs there have them leashed.

There IS fox poo there {a very different look to dog poo}

Cemeteries are havens for wildlife, which is lovely.

5128gap · 01/10/2024 13:19

oakleaffy · 01/10/2024 13:04

What a bizarre thing to say!
Was he implying that you were ''soliciting''?
Men!

I was once in Villefranche sur mer, and asked an American Navy chap at a Burger stall if he knew where the ''Hotel Welcome'' was. {Because it was where Jean Cocteau used to stay}

The cheeky burger stall owner implied that I was ''soliciting''!

Er...what...with my 7 yr old son with me?

The American told us of a trip available for the public to his ship moored in the deep bay. Very interesting.

I never thought of that! I assumed it was because at times teens would congregate there and it was at a distance with my hood up and he was a bit short sighted.

SilverDoe · 01/10/2024 13:18

IveGotToGoToMeDads · 01/10/2024 11:18

@KimberleyClark no I don't think it was about dog poo or anything.
I always pick up dog poo where ever i am any way.

He wouldn't know that, some people are busy bodies and do feel entitled to police other people like that.

Nobody can say what his motivations are, but I am glad you are safe and trusted your instincts. It was the right thing to do.

AliceMcK · 01/10/2024 13:18

Maybe he was watching in case your dog defected one of the graves or just in general. There is a lot of dog shit that isn’t picked up. And there is a lot of vandalism that goes on in cemeteries.

When I visit the cemetery I visit my Nan, Aunty, Grandad & Uncle who are buried together. One time I looked for my cousins baby daughter. I know where my friends parents are buried and may check on the graves. All the time I’m usually chatting away especially to my Nan. My other deceased relatives aren’t buried there otherwise I’d be visiting and chatting to them too.

Or your instinct could be right, my aunty whose buried next to my Aunty was once mugged while visiting my Nans grave. And many years ago my uncle was attacked while taking a short cut through the cemetery next to where he lived.

No one knows, but you did the right thing getting out of there, always better to be safe than sorry.

Sunflowermoonbeam · 01/10/2024 13:18

Op i cannot believe some of the crazy responses and gaslighting you are getting here. Absolutely always trust your gut. I always compare this sort of behaviour to the men in my life. There is no way my husband, father, friends would stare continuously at a lone woman and approach her, especially in a cemetery which are usually quiet and where people are taking quiet time to remember or grieve. None of this is normal or excusable. Clearly demonstrated by the police taking it seriously!

QueenCamilla · 01/10/2024 13:17

@oakleaffy
Is the cemetery part of the dogs bowel routine?

IveGotToGoToMeDads · 01/10/2024 13:15

@QueenCamilla not everyone thinks the same as you.
Alot of people are okay with dogs in cemetaries.

OP posts:
IveGotToGoToMeDads · 01/10/2024 13:14

@oakleaffy aww thats lovely.

OP posts:
QueenCamilla · 01/10/2024 13:14

IveGotToGoToMeDads · 01/10/2024 13:10

@QueenCamilla my dogs mess is cleaned up at all times.

Fuck sake, you're disrespectful the very moment you bring your dogs anus to toilet in a graveyard!

Carry on your filthy habits but don't be surprised when someone stares you out.

IveGotToGoToMeDads · 01/10/2024 13:13

@ItWasOnAStarryNight I never said I was shiftly glancing at him.
Glancing yes.

OP posts:
oakleaffy · 01/10/2024 13:12

There are people who bring dogs to our 'Family' Cemetery - but kept on leads.
They are visiting their loved one's nearby Graves.

Frightened
Marcipex · 01/10/2024 13:12

Go with your gut.
That instinct is there for a reason.

2dogsandabudgie · 01/10/2024 13:11

Loub1987 · 01/10/2024 13:07

I assumed that this was a ghost thread! Yes I would be unnerved by him (alive or ghost).

Also, can’t see what anyone’s issue is with dog walking in a cemetery. It’s a quiet space and as long as you’re doing it quietly, it shouldn’t bother anyone. I say that as someone who doesn’t even particularly like dogs.

Because dogs like to sniff, and if that's the only place that the OP walks her dog then it's going to be sniffing, weeing and pooing on people's graves or on the paths. It's boring for the dog doing the same walk every day and it's disrespectful to people visiting the graves of loved ones.

IveGotToGoToMeDads · 01/10/2024 13:10

@QueenCamilla my dogs mess is cleaned up at all times.

OP posts: