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?

Get some glasses and attach some panels to the side so you can't see him. Get some headphones and play some heavy death metal on them as you walk past so you can't hear him. Put your middle fingers in the air at the same time so he really gets the message.

What harm was he causing by saying hello? I dont understand.

But does he just single you out for an ‘hello’ or does he say it to everyone who passes? If he says it to everyone, I’d just say hello back, because you’re one of many. If he was just saying it to you, and you alone, I’d maybe feel a bit creeped out by it.

The thing is OP youve got a kind of unfounded prejudice filled condemnation going on when someone has just said hello...that kind of overinvolved panic put people with any difference in the asylum in the past...so its YOU who is the danger to this gentleman who has done nothing but say hello

What are you, a Londoner? Say hello back, it's common courtesy.

Thank you @RogueFemale .I was in a shitty mood and you just made me laugh😂. I would love to bring you to my DS15 special school for 15-20 y olds, you would love it. He's autistic but you got all sort of disabilities there. Most will say hello to you, wave, maybe say you're beautiful, ask you what your name is, if you want to play. It's quite beautiful because it's humanity at it's pure innocence. I love it. Something tells me you would make a run for it..

Clearly you're going to have to move house. There's no other option.

WTAF?

You’ve given yourself away, now.

Nothing to see here.

If it was a woman would you think it creepy?

A (female) older neighbour of our also does this, having witnessed it for the 6 years I've lived here, it's clearly her way of connecting to the world.

Another older lady frequents the park, all day everyday reciting her poem to anyone who will stop for a minute. She is mentally ill, but she's not doing any harm.

😆❤️

Do you know any blokes who stand outside their house for hours?

Just say hello, probably just a lonely old bloke. Does he say hello to everyone who passes by? Have you asked your new neighbours about him?

Just say hello! Thats not a lifetime commitment. He may be lonely. Or maybe mentally unwell. It doesn't matter. It is just a word.

Would you stand by your door and say hello to someone more than once who clearly didn't want it? Oh dear.

🤣🫶

This thread made me remember when I was a young woman (many years ago) and I would be walking to work, there was a man who always sat at bench near one of the bridges I had to walk under. EVERY morning he would call to me "Good morning! You come over here so I can give 'yer face a lash!". Every morning I said hello and obviously ignored the rest of his message! 😂 This happened for years!

If I were lonely or had SEN? Yes, quite possibly.

🤣🫶

Maybe he doesn't recognise her? I'm crap with faces and only recognise people on my dog walk from their dogs. Without their dogs I'd have no idea who spaniel lady is or chow chow man.

Saying hello and nothing more doesn’t mean getting involved. I don’t agree with giving money to beggars who appear homeless sat on the side of the streets and outside shops but it doesn’t stop me from saying hello and acknowledging their presence.

i’m sorry but this making me laugh 😂

he’s only saying hello, i highly doubt he’s mentally ill
i guess if he screams something bonkers back after you respond then at least you’ll have confirmation and can avoid😂

in the city where i live, i do see some nutters on the daily so maybe i’m particularly desensitised! :D

wow. Just say hello you miserable thing. I can only assume you’ve moved from city to village and assume the worst.

hd may have some sort of learning disability, he may be lonely, he maybe both or neither. Just say hello.

He was in a group of homeless Drunks who stayed by the primary school to intimidate and try their luck on young women. As in he got obsessed and cried on a bench when I started to tell him to back off. Need anything else?

Jesus. He's better off not knowing you then.