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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

People talking to you in public

330 replies

Mummybasketball · 01/08/2021 01:10

I was eating a breakfast by myself, head buried in my phone and someone comes up to talk to me as e cafe had been done over and looking posh.

Aibu by thinking he’s a rude one?

OP posts:
TableFlowerss · 01/08/2021 01:15

He sounds friendly…

You sound unfriendly…

Original poster
Mummybasketball · 01/08/2021 01:17

@TableFlowerss

He sounds friendly…

You sound unfriendly…

I was eating my breakfast, alone, looking at my phone, not looking for convo.
OP posts:
vodkaredbullgirl · 01/08/2021 01:17
Hmm
NiceGerbil · 01/08/2021 01:19

Not surprised it was s bloke!

They're usually the ones who think oh I'm a bit bored/ she looks nice. I'll go and talk to her! Naturally she will be very pleased...

Obviously going and striking up conversation with s total stranger who is in the middle of eating, and obviously reading etc is very unlikely to be welcome.

I doubt men like that do it to other men.

Did he plunk himself down with you? I'd say 50/50.

SupermanWithTheGreyHair · 01/08/2021 01:20

What did he say?

Original poster
Mummybasketball · 01/08/2021 01:22

@SupermanWithTheGreyHair

What did he say?
Some crap about how the Morrison’s cafe looks posh now after the refurb.
OP posts:
Original poster
Mummybasketball · 01/08/2021 01:23

@NiceGerbil

Not surprised it was s bloke!

They're usually the ones who think oh I'm a bit bored/ she looks nice. I'll go and talk to her! Naturally she will be very pleased...

Obviously going and striking up conversation with s total stranger who is in the middle of eating, and obviously reading etc is very unlikely to be welcome.

I doubt men like that do it to other men.

Did he plunk himself down with you? I'd say 50/50.

Yes sis, you know the type.
OP posts:
Wingedharpy · 01/08/2021 01:24

Was it up North?
They're like that up there - the women as well.Wink

NiceGerbil · 01/08/2021 01:27

Indeedy.

I had a random bloke stop me in Sainsbury local the other day block my path and then go on about... I can't even remember. Reduction stickers and his sons new job and....
Whenever I made s comment in response he completely ignored it Grin

I'm usually quite good at escaping but he didn't stop monologuing so my usual. Sorry in s rush nice talking to you and leg it. Was hard to slot in when he didn't stop and ignored everything I said!

LeopardPrintTits · 01/08/2021 01:27

I hate when random people talk to me when I’m out and about! Deep down, I know they’re trying to be nice or friendly, but it just annoys me! Confused

Original poster
Mummybasketball · 01/08/2021 01:28

@Wingedharpy

Was it up North? They're like that up there - the women as well.Wink
Yes. The place is full of locals so that explains it…. I just wouldn’t approach someone and get in their face like that.

I remember being at IKEA and the return queue was long. Some women was talking out loud to whoever would listen about her thoughts if she should return.

Can’t stand that lol

OP posts:
Original poster
Mummybasketball · 01/08/2021 01:29

@NiceGerbil

Indeedy.

I had a random bloke stop me in Sainsbury local the other day block my path and then go on about... I can't even remember. Reduction stickers and his sons new job and....
Whenever I made s comment in response he completely ignored it Grin

I'm usually quite good at escaping but he didn't stop monologuing so my usual. Sorry in s rush nice talking to you and leg it. Was hard to slot in when he didn't stop and ignored everything I said!

Can’t stand that
OP posts:
BritWifeInUSA · 01/08/2021 01:33

If you eat your breakfast at home then strangers won’t approach you. If it’s that much of an issue….

He may have been lonely. A nod and a smile is often enough for people to feel noticed and acknowledged.

Wingedharpy · 01/08/2021 01:34

If you live there now @Mummybasketball, give it time and you'll be doing it yourself.

If you want to be completely ignored, move here.

Original poster
Mummybasketball · 01/08/2021 01:37

@BritWifeInUSA

If you eat your breakfast at home then strangers won’t approach you. If it’s that much of an issue….

He may have been lonely. A nod and a smile is often enough for people to feel noticed and acknowledged.

Does that mean he should come up a female, eating breakfast, I’m a pandemic, invade her space….. just to say the place looks different?

If he’s that out going he’s probably able to make mates his own age at the pub.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mummybasketball · 01/08/2021 01:37

@Wingedharpy

If you live there now *@Mummybasketball*, give it time and you'll be doing it yourself.

If you want to be completely ignored, move here.

Three years…
OP posts:
Wingedharpy · 01/08/2021 01:41

You see, you're doing it already.
You don't know me from Adam, yet here you are chatting away to meGrinGrinGrin...

Original poster
Mummybasketball · 01/08/2021 01:42

@Wingedharpy

You see, you're doing it already. You don't know me from Adam, yet here you are chatting away to meGrinGrinGrin...
We both made the choice to log on. I didn’t even make eye contact with this guy.
OP posts:
Livingintheclouds · 01/08/2021 01:50

So he was trying his luck. My cousin met his wife this way.

Original poster
Mummybasketball · 01/08/2021 01:52

@Livingintheclouds

So he was trying his luck. My cousin met his wife this way.
A 60 year old man and a 30 year old women meet in a supermarket…. She’s a 8/10 and he’s, well 60.
OP posts:
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 01/08/2021 01:57

Depends entirely on the context.

Pervy bloke trying to get his end away - not ok, this isn't a disco, piss off and leave me alone.

Nice non-pervy chap (or woman) wanting a quick natter because I may be their only company all week - I like this and I'm happy to chat back. Any one of us could be that lonely old lady one day

avamiah · 01/08/2021 02:02

@Mummybasketball,
Omg ,he was talking to you in the morning ?😱lol
You said you were up North, I’m from Liverpool originally and it sounds like something a scouser would do, as we talk to anyone at anytime .lol

WhatInFreshHell · 01/08/2021 02:05

@Mummybasketball

I was eating a breakfast by myself, head buried in my phone and someone comes up to talk to me as e cafe had been done over and looking posh.

Aibu by thinking he’s a rude one?

I know what you mean OP... I'm quite often drinking a coffee alone and reading a good book, and someone attempts to strike up a conversation with me. I'm obviously very polite however sometimes I do just have to say "It was nice speaking to you anyway" and dive back into my book!
pinkcircustop · 01/08/2021 02:09

YABU and unfriendly.

Mandalay246 · 01/08/2021 02:14

I can't believe how unpleasant so many MNers are! Surely it wouldn't hurt you to respond? God forbid that anyone should try to be friendly to a stranger.

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