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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that this complete stranger should acknowledge me?

188 replies

nevergoogle · 01/08/2011 21:00

I mean, FFS, for the past two years I have walked past this guy on my way to work, every single bleeding morning.
Then, on my way home, we pass each other again.
We live in a small town, there's never anyone else about yet he strides past with his head up and stares straight ahead as if I'm a figment of my own fucking imagination.
I think he works near my house, and i must work near his. It's a 10 minute walk.

Is it too much to expect a 'morning' or a 'fuck sake is it you again trying to get a reaction who the fuck do you think you are?'
fucking something surely!? it's very annoying

OP posts:
Bandwithering · 04/08/2011 16:53

Do people say "cheer up love" to men then MayorQuimby!? I would have thought men were spared that.

AgentZigzag · 04/08/2011 16:55

I've quite enjoyed ProfGob and MQ spreading their dispair and misery over the thread, but then I'm English and get a bit nervy at wall to wall sunshine...Grin

mayorquimby · 04/08/2011 17:04

Not with the love part, just the 'cheer up it might never happen.' or 'smile you might like it.'
It instantly fills me with a quite murderous rage, why the fuck do strangers feel the need to tell me how to feel or think I care wheter my mood and demeanour pleases them. I'm thinking of modelling myself on Dexter except without the moral code, I'll simply kill overly happy strangers

tallulahxhunny · 04/08/2011 17:15

ffs its been 3 days since you started this thread and you still havent spoke to him!! just pretend to read a text message or something and veer your walk straight into his path and he will have to acknowledge you in some way!!!

Original poster
nevergoogle · 04/08/2011 17:16

i like the idea of offering a high five... who could resist?

OP posts:
Original poster
nevergoogle · 04/08/2011 17:16

i haven't seen him since the thread started Hmm

OP posts:
HuntForGalaxyHazelnut · 04/08/2011 17:24

I think he's onto you nevergoogle Shock

Original poster
nevergoogle · 04/08/2011 17:28

Shock odd isn't it. he doesn't strike me as a mumsnetter.

OP posts:
tallulahxhunny · 04/08/2011 17:29

or maybe a mumsnetter's DH lol

HuntForGalaxyHazelnut · 04/08/2011 17:32

Strange how you can see someone every single day yet you never really know them.....

Original poster
nevergoogle · 04/08/2011 18:33

profound Wink

OP posts:
jazzchickens · 04/08/2011 18:38

Well I don't want to live in a world where people don't nod & smile at strangers.

Actually, I want my life to be a bit like the scene out of "Hello Dolly" when I go round to the bus stop but that might be asking for a bit much.

ensure · 04/08/2011 19:04

You'll say hello. He'll go "But, you can SEE me?!" incredulously. Then he'll get his mobile out and before you know it lots of other super-tall people will surround you and put you in a sack and take you for reprogramming in The Lab.

ProfessionallyOffendedGoblin · 04/08/2011 19:15

'Okay ProfGob and Quimby, we got your disapproval the FIRST time. You are fuming all over what is, or could be, a light-hearted thread.'

That's OK, I'm bored with this thread now. I'm off to research supersoakers.Grin

Frexylady · 05/08/2011 15:11

I also have neighbours round the corner who never smile or say hello (freaks!!). Conversely, I do get a nice smile and hello (when crossing paths on the school run like clockwork) from a very attractive dad......well, no harm in looking!!!

breadandbutterfly · 05/08/2011 17:15

When I was at secondary school, there was a gothy guy I fancied (sorry, it was the 80's) from another school who I passed every day on the way to school. I'd met him at a mutual friend's house and thought he was quite hot. I made the mistake of telling the friend I walked to school with - then every day, as we got nearer down this dead straight half a mile or so stretch of road, she would be taking the mick, nudging me in the ribs and making comments etc. Of course he pretty quickly learnt I fancied him but we had to vaguely acknowledge each other as we'd met; but with both of us curling up inside from embarrassment, we had to face each other down this loooong straight road, waiting for the agonising moment of passing each other... every day for about 3 years (until he left school, I suppose - maybe to get away from me? Blush)

We went from initially smiling and saying hi to spending the entire half mile trying to look every which way than at each other - v v hard on a completely straight, flat, empty road.

I do really, really wish I'd never met him or acknowledged him in the first place - your bloke is right not to start this whole acknowledging thing off. He's simply preventing years of potential tortured conversations, feigned interest in each other's partners/children/jobs etc. Excruciating mutual humiliation. He is very wise.

In fact, maybe he IS the guy I knew when young, now scarred for life? Shock

AlmightyCitrus · 05/08/2011 19:05

Maybe his wife is a mumsnetter, and she's seen this thread, and now he's walking the long way round.

.."darling...do you see a very short woman on your way to work each day?"
Yes dear...why?
"..have a look at this...."

Original poster
nevergoogle · 05/08/2011 19:43

mumsnetters everywhere are asking their partners to change their route or stop being so unfriendly.

OP posts:
hiddenhome · 05/08/2011 19:53

Why do people always feel the need to inflict themselves upon others then complain when those others simply aren't interested?

Perhaps he has other things on his mind than having to acknowledge the superficial greetings of some random woman on the street Hmm

InstantAtom · 05/08/2011 20:16

It's nice to give a about other members of the human race. Sometimes makes my day if someone smiles and says hello :)

CBear6 · 05/08/2011 20:54

Speak to him!

There was a guy like that on my way to/from work. One hello and 8.5 years later we're married with a DS and a DD on the way :o

Original poster
nevergoogle · 05/08/2011 21:25

cbear6, now i actually don't want to speak to him!

OP posts:
hiddenhome · 05/08/2011 21:59

You don't have to speak to him. It's not compulsory.

iscream · 06/08/2011 04:35

Perhaps he is your guardian angel? Ensuring you are safe on your walk each day. Unbeknownst to you, he has fended off a dangerous stalker, a rabid dog, a gang of youths intent upon swarming you, a really heavy flowerpot from a high 3rd floor window that would have landed on your head, and a lightening strike. Because of him, you have walked confidently and cheerfully chatting away with all regulars.
He is probably invisible, so if you do speak to him, people will see you walking along chatting to yourself.

Animation · 06/08/2011 08:24

Iscream - Smile

Speak - "Hello... is it me you're looking for?"

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