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AIBU?

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A man asked me why I crossed the road

88 replies

berriesinthesummer · 11/07/2026 11:51

I was on a walk minding my own business. A man was walking towards me and taking up most of the pavement, so I crossed over to the other side - I would usually cross this road at some point anyway as part of my usual route.

The man then called across the road to ask why I had crossed and ‘am I that scary?’ I just looked around puzzled and said ‘no?’

AIBU to feel a bit unnerved about this? I didn’t cross because he was a man, I would have done if it was anyone taking up most of the pavement as there were parked cars everywhere so it’s a bit awkward to cross people. As I had to cross at some point, I may as well have done it at that point. I find walking close to people generally very irritating whoever they are.

OP posts:
ArseSkinForAFriend · 11/07/2026 12:25

Mycatmax · 11/07/2026 12:17

Indeed, but I don’t think they would have shouted at you about it.

My DS is 26 and he knows to cross the road to avoid lone women, especially at night. As for shouting at one???!!!

Who got shouted at?

TheIdlerReturns · 11/07/2026 12:23

My first response to his question would be: 'to get to the other side' (like the chicken) but on second thoughts - totally ignore like he doesn't exist.

TempestTost · 11/07/2026 12:18

ArseSkinForAFriend · 11/07/2026 12:03

Sounds like a joke that didn't land.

I wouldn't pay it any more thought.

I think this is probably the answer.
Some people don't have much filter.

Mycatmax · 11/07/2026 12:17

berriesinthesummer · 11/07/2026 11:55

I was taken aback tbh. If I had remained walking toward him one or both of us would have had to have stopped or slowed to let pass each other and o couldn’t be bothered to slower my pace. Nothing to do with him being male, it would be the same if it was a woman or kids etc

Indeed, but I don’t think they would have shouted at you about it.

My DS is 26 and he knows to cross the road to avoid lone women, especially at night. As for shouting at one???!!!

AnonymityAnonymity · 11/07/2026 12:10

When I moved to the town I live in it used to have a great reputation for hardly any crime. So sometimes I would walk down to the seafront- a few minutes walk from my house really late at night. Then one night I walked down the deserted street and there was a guy coming towards me on the same side of the road. I crossed the road as an instinctive safety precaution and as soon as he saw me doing that he deliberately started to cross the road too. He walked past me and didn't do anything or say anyhmthing. I was really angry because it was done to scare me. And it worked because after that I stopped going out late at night.

The guy you encountered sounds a similar type of nasty man who enjoys the thought he can intimidate women OP.

ArseSkinForAFriend · 11/07/2026 12:03

Sounds like a joke that didn't land.

I wouldn't pay it any more thought.

tygertygers · 11/07/2026 12:00

Main character syndrome, as my kids would say.

DeftGoldHedgehog · 11/07/2026 11:56

"Maybe it was nothing to do with you? It's not all about you, fuckwit."

Kepler22B · 11/07/2026 11:56

Well the correct answer is “yes, and coming over here makes you more so”. But being truthful might escalate the situation so ‘no’ and moving off if the best you can do.

Suspicioustoenails · 11/07/2026 11:56

I thought this was going to have something to do with a chicken...

berriesinthesummer · 11/07/2026 11:55

Mycatmax · 11/07/2026 11:54

I wouldn’t even bother replying to him. I am so fed up with male entitlement.

I was taken aback tbh. If I had remained walking toward him one or both of us would have had to have stopped or slowed to let pass each other and o couldn’t be bothered to slower my pace. Nothing to do with him being male, it would be the same if it was a woman or kids etc

OP posts:
LoafofSellotape · 11/07/2026 11:55

Ah, male attempt at humour . Very tedious 🙄

Mycatmax · 11/07/2026 11:54

I wouldn’t even bother replying to him. I am so fed up with male entitlement.