Misogynistic neighbour really upset me today

[dietpepsi13]

So I live next to a guy, I'll call him Eric, he is in his late 40's. I never really had much to do with him but the few times I spoke to him I got away from him as quickly as possible because he is extremely misogynistic, homophobic and just hateful towards everyone in general

He is a huge anti vaxxer and covid denier and I have no problem with anyone having their own view on things, but I'm a carer and have seen first hand the effect Covid has had on many people, however he has said that it's all made up. He also knows me and another one of our neighbours is a vegetarian and he said that being vegan or vegetarian ages people terribly and it's no wonder I look 'years older' I'm not someone who is quick to internalise things but I must admit that his comments really cut me as someone who has struggled with body dysmorphia since my teenage years. This guy has also verbally abused me for wearing a mask saying that I'm a 'sheep'

Its honestly at the point I hate living where I am and just don't feel safe around this guy who is a complete nutter

Oh dear that sounds difficult. How easy is it to avoid him? Do you try and put in any boundaries?

Can you not rehearse a very cutting sentence or two in readiness for any further uncalled for comments by him? Let us know if you need ideas!

'Do you enjoy many friends' comes to mind!

I have a neighbour like this. Avoid avoid avoid. There's that saying 'if you wrestle with pigs you both get covered in mud but the pig likes it'.

Looking at his many errors and unkindnesses, you really don't need to give any weight to his opinion on your looks. (It might be more of a worry if he approved.)

Here is a man whose opinions you can disregard :)

Just blank him. Don't engage with him. Hopefully he will get the message eventually

I would carry a pair of ear defenders around with me and quickly put them on when you see him. He will soon get the message

Ugh what a grotesque specimen he is.

I too had a revolting neighbour for a couple of years, eventually trespassed him at which point he sold and moved 🎉

You know it is him and not you. Honestly just don't even speak to him. Ignore ignore.

Tell him to piss off and mind his own business

Please remember that you don't have to be polite. Be rude back. Call him out.
He just sounds like a nasty piece of work so please don't take his comments to heart.

Honestly you know he’s miserable and he’s going to try and find anything that drags everyone else down to his level.

It must be so difficult but try not to let it effect you.

The more he tries to make a dig, smile more and have some witty comebacks ready.

If he calls you a sheep just start baa-ing.
If he says covid is fake just say ‘oh dear you need to spend less time on the internet’ and walk away.
If he says you look older - say you don’t care how old anyone thinks you are.

MNers will have way better come backs than me but you want to try and have an answer without stopping to his level.

Remember he is a twat. Always.

Ignore or correct him if you feel up to it, but please, please don't let him make you feel bad. It's what he is trying to achieve.

You don’t have to be polite to arseholes.

Just totally blank him and completely ignore him, to the point of blatant rudeness. He might be offended, but that’s tough. He will leave you alone eventually.

Every time you see him, imagine him sat on the toilet with his trousers round his knees. That will help you lose any inclination you have to respect anything he says.

I'd avoid like the plague. If he is a neighbour you don't need to get into conversation at all. 'Morning, can't stop, busy, busy' cheery wave...and repeat..

Or just agree with him. Nod enthusiastically and repeat back what he said followed by "thank you for helping me see the light". It will really mess with his head.

Ear defenders, headphones or a personalised mask which says “get to fuck Eric I’m not interested.” Or, the approach which will probably wind him up most, give him a beaming smile, excessive waving, ignore any attempts at conversation and wish him a lovely day in the most excessively Disney way you can muster. People like him enjoy being deliberately contrary but if you treat h like a child and ignore the bollocks he’ll get bored pretty quickly.

‘Morning Eric, can’t stop, bye.’

You don’t have to be nice to him

Just tell him you are not intersected in anything he has to say and please stop making comments

Then ignore him

Sing 'Let it Go, Let it Go' when he starts

Or say, Sorry what? It sounds more stupid if he has to repeat it a couple of times.

Smile and wave (and keep moving). Pisses them off if they think they’ve not bothered you.

Eric sounds exactly like my cousin you can't engage with him on any meaningful level so I just smile politely to say hello and then change the subject with another family member to move the conversation on. Eric isn't your family so you don't even need to do the polite bit.
Just checking, Eric isn't an obese HGV driver is he

Aww you all gave such wonderful advice and cheered me up a lot thank you

@FourChimneys that gave me a real giggle thank you

@ArtfulScreamer he's a kinda puny balding guy with very bad hygiene. Apparently he believes the water in showers is too harmful to wash. Last thing I know he was a life coach for a few wet days

Oh god thats not my cousin that means there's more than one of these misogynistic idiots out there

Get him a blow up doll that he can insult all day long.

Some of the best advice I've ever seen is 'don't accept criticism from anyone you wouldn't take advice from' and it did really change my way of thinking about who to listen to! If you don't care what he thinks about covid, dietary maters and showering (!) then you can dismiss his thoughts on your appearance too!