I Don't Think I was Rude
It happened about seven houses from home. The man saw me coming and moved to his garden wall as I returned from my regular morning walk. I cursed at myself for not being on the other side of the road.It was obvious that he intended to talk to me and I don’t want to talk to him. I avoid people I don’t like. If a woman has to wear sunglasses to hide a black eye at times one can still argue that she walked into the door jamb; they both drink excessively during weekends but I know that is not the reason for the occasional black eye. I greet him when I see him but that is where it ends whereas I normally stop for a little small talk with the other neighbors.
He asked me if I’m upset with him and I denied it. I’m not upset with him, I simply don’t like him. Then he asked why I never talk to him. I had already tried to get out of it by my tame reply on his previous question but he was not going to let up so I told him that I don’t like him. It is not an insult. I just don’t like him.
He wanted to know why I don’t like him. “Look,” I said, “I’m sure you will be able to think of one or two reasons that will cause people not to like you. Some people dislike me as well. So why not leave it at that. I don’t want to get into an argument with you about this.” I was about to resume my walk home.
But he insisted that I tell him so I told him that I don’t like the way he treats his wife. He turned red and told me I’m interfering with his privacy. I replied that as his wife had to run to the neighbors for help several times in the past, it is no longer a private or domestic affair. He said that we’re a bunch of busybodies and that we should stay out of his private life.
I told him to hell with his privacy and that if he asked a question, it is not my problem if he did not like the answer. I started walking again.
When I was about ten meters off he shouted, “You effing oxygen thief. You should stay out of my private affairs, effing rude old bastard.” I preferred to ignore him and walked on. For special effects he still added: “You effing stupid old arsehole!” He’s got a good thirty years on me but I fancied my chances with him. I had a good mind to turn around but sanity prevailed and I walked on.
Now, more than two weeks later, I find the episode amusing and I wish there was somebody around to record a video of it. I would have loved to look at it from another angle but one thing stuck with me. How can he tell me I was rude when he was the only rude one around? I was polite and soft-spoken the whole time. I only responded to questions that he insisted on being answered.
May you have a glorious Monday!
Comments (76)
I have a black belt in Karate! Haiiiiiiyaaaaa!!!!
It's OK. I'll manage .him. I have a black belt in kafooti. I'll just kick him in his moer.
During semester breaks, I’ll have the whole road to myself!!!!
Been there done that...no matter your polite facade...the truth seeker cannot handle it...lol...
On the forums got lambasted with the ferverant Christian pro life...even got called a child killer...lol...
Just goes to show you no matter the invitation to tell your thoughts...the ignorant just do not want you to poke the proverbial bear...cross the street my friend...
The majority of my neighbors are thirty plus. Most own their homes (some still paying off a bond) and stay put for life. A very nice and quiet upper middle class neighborhood with a few bad spots here and there, mostly those who rent their homes.
I'm not like that. There are many things that can be said about me but not that I avoid confrontation. I now walk on his side of the road on purpose. I expose myself to him deliberately. I'm waiting for him to make a move again but he won't. He's a coward. It is the same with those who make untrue statements in their blogs and/or comments and then lock it to have the last say. Just cowards who does not want to hear the truth.
That is what you derived but not what I said. I said 'mostly', not 'all'. I rent a granny flat as well.
That is not snobbish...he is telling you the area where he lives...
Many areas in Vancouver are similar...obviously if you could rent out a home in that area would mean you have the ability to fit in and afford that particular area...
My mortgage is cheaper than rent here in Vancouver...lol...
I just saved up and the bank's rates are ideal...regarding motgages...
If I could take it back...the conversation or sermon I chose to engage in...the agenda was to berate the non believers...imo...not a winning situation...glad you have some catfoot moves...he sounds deranged...walk softly...my friend...
It is probably good advice but I'm not taking it. I tried my best to get out of it and he insisted. So, am I going to have cookies and tea with him? Not likely. I don't like him as it is (my good right and not without reason) and he insisted on 'better' answers when I tried tact. He wanted confrontation and he got it.
I'm not a pilot. So, as I cannot get into a dogfight, I suppose I'd have to settle for second best.
I’m an instigator and troublemaker!!
Thanks for the offer but I'm pretty good at that myself. I don't want your pretty face to be scarred on my behalf. Your Arty may not appreciate it.
My poor Arty, I make fun of him when he’s still recovering from his cataract eye surgery
I hope Art recovers well, as he would need to be in full health to keep up with you
It looks as if you have a lot of friends in Eastern Europe.
Or is it my Imagination?
Hmm, with all the excitement I forgot to ask how your Arty is doing after his surgery.
Imagination, I asure you. You always had more than your share of it. You should start writing suspense novels.
I have nothing really to add to your blog, so I just said hi to Mimi instead
That's fair enough. I just thought I'd greet. South-Africans are very friendly people.
Molly Art has enough time to recuperate coz he’s coming over only in April. With his eyesight fully restored, he now has to work on his ‘stamina’
Catfoot, he’s doing very well, thank you. One thing I love about this man is that he follows the doctor’s order religiously.
Well, now that his eyesight is almost perfect, he’d be able to feast his eyes on our local women when he’s over here.
Also, he’s gonna discover MiMi’s very flawed complexion
That is great news. My father had his cataracts removed about a year ago and he's enjoying a pretty good eyesight since then.
Who knows maybe he had s few .
I think you should apologize to him .
Maybe if you talk to him about the abusing his wife .
The situation at his home may improve ,
I think i would have done the very same thing you did if im honest.
Ill be as polite as can be, but if you keep insisting on an answer, that id rather not say, then you will get it.
Not in a rude sense but in a, im speaking my mind sense.
I have friends like this whom i love for their honesty and straight forwardness....there is no BS.
I won't apologize. He was rude not me. And he'll tell me I'm out of my turn to try to council him. He must sort his own life out. And stop asking me questions if he knows that he won't like the answers.
I was polite all the time; even when I told him that I don't like him. And I would not have told him, if he did not insist on a reply. It seems that the whole neighborhood excommunicated him and he thought I was the soft target around. He was wrong.
Edison picked this up as renters are not nice people and I can see why he thought so the way you put it here
Catfoot
here they won't even come out when you report a burglary or robbery in progress. The normal excuse is no transport. Yet when you go to the station you will find it swamped with vehicles.
I must repeat that I did not include every body in my statement. And I stick to it. You will find that those who purchased their homes are generally more settled and planning to stay while those who rent are normally younger and/or unsettled. They never plan to stay. If you too want to read 'most' as 'everybody and only' then I guess I'm not only illiterate but also a snob even though I too live in a rented apartment.
I see that you are again misunderstood and that people take your words out of context. It must be some special karma.
I couldn't do what you have done. It was very brave!
I all honesty, the neighbor to my right is the best neighbor I have ever met. When we happen to see each other we'd greet by nodding the head and he'd go into his house. I don't even know his name.
Maar jy doen verkeerd. Daar moet 'n paar drukkies en soentjies wees om almal na hul vertalers te laat hardloop.
I'm used to it already. I think some people do it on purpose. This has been going on since I first came here five years ago. I just stand up to them from time to time to let them know that I don't like it.