Old-ish man on the route to the Co-op who keeps saying hello

[RogueFemale]

I moved house last week and already have noticed this man. He lives on the short (7m) walking route to the local Co-Op. He's maybe mid 60s, tall, heavy build. He is always standing outside his front door, and he loudly says hello every time I go past. I ignore him.

I'm 60 and am used to being invisible.

So it's not a leering hello. I also thought maybe it was accidental he was standing outside before, or something, and just a cheery 'local' hello.

But I went past twice today (to Co-Op) and he was there both times, hello-ing, and I'm finding it quite weird, that he's always standing outside his front door.

I'm going to be going to the local Co-Op a lot, so what do I do?

AIBU to continue to ignore him and just doggedly go past for years pretending he's not there?

Where I live it's pretty normal to say hi to people when you are out for a walk. There are a few people I often walk past in their gardens and I say hi as I go past. It's been years now and it has not escalated beyond windy today isn't it?

I agree

How do you know what he does, are you constantly watching him

Um, you sound quite horrible.

It must be some kind of incredible ‘Hello’ if @RogueFemalecan use it to diagnose mental ill health, assume he’s interested in her and will become her responsibility if she says ‘hello’ back.

amazing 🤩

Are you quite well? 😂

Just say hello FGS. Where’s your humanity?
I say hello to numerous dog walkers I see every single day, don’t know who they are but always say hello.

Only on MN are friendly people considered mentally ill

OP even if he WAS mentally ill, why can’t you say hello? It’s not catching you know

Hi @VioletBramble I have to go past twice because I go there and then back. DUH

Are you from The South? I’m in the NW, and people I don’t know, engage in conversation all the time… doesn’t bother me at all.

Sounds like you’re stalking him OP.

How many times have you actually seen him to assume he’s outside his front door “all the time” and not just the times you’ve happened to walk past?!

Say ‘hello’ back tomorrow and tell us what happens 😊 you might make his day

How on earth is saying hello to another human being who says hello to you a “responsibility”? I think perhaps you might benefit from some counselling.

Yeah, haha, I'm such a silly stupid woman, men are never predatory.

Ahh okay, you’ve got yourself into a mental state where you believe every man has an agenda. That’s no way to live. Take a break from reading about awful men.

Pardon me but you say he’s standing there “all day every day”

How would you know unless you were watching him all day, every day. Like a stalker

I live near Sheffield i have really interesting conversations with complete strangers at bus stops. Almost everyone in my local area says hello (or alright? or similar) whether I know them or not.

He could just be lonely.
Why do you think a symptom of mental illness is daring to stand in your own door way?

This is like that sketch about people in London being left shocked and appalled after someone from the north said ‘hello’ to them. I am in a village and am helloing and good morninging constantly! There’s an old man who lives along the road who’s always out in the garden and we exchange hellos almost every day.

Another one wondering if OP is from the South

I live in a Yorkshire market town. If you think one man saying hello constantly is predatory OP, you’d absolutely shit yourself round these parts. I don’t think I’ve once been to the shops without a stranger engaging me in conversation

What?!!!

@RogueFemale If this was a female neighbour would you say hello?
Some people are (harmless) people watchers who sit outside their front door with the sole purpose of just watching the world go by.
And there is nothing wrong with that.
Just say Hello. Or don't. It's your choice but your thinking behind this situation is very odd.

Twice TO Co-op
DUH.