I'm from a generation that loathes surprise social interactions. Even the thought of an unexpected phone call or unwanted guest makes me anxious. So if a stranger tried to force themselves inside my home, I probably wouldn't have it.
This person had to deal with the previous owners of their house. Recently, she came to Reddit to tell the story of how two women who grew up in that house asked to be let in and see what it looks like now. Perhaps the author felt similarly to the way I do because she refused to let them in. After being branded as "mean," she decided to ask people online: who was right in this situation?
We got in touch with the author of this story, u/No-Ask3051. She kindly agreed to tell Bored Panda more about the incident. Read our conversation with her below!
Once you sell a house, it belongs to the new owner, no matter how much sentimental value it holds for you
Image credits: Image by Freepik (not the actual photo)
So this woman was shocked to find out some people think it's okay to show up at somebody else's house and demand they let you inside
Image credits: Image by Freepik (not the actual photo)
Image credits: No-Ask3051
The author tells Bored Panda that this may have soured their relationship with the neighbor
Image credits: Image by Freepik (not the actual photo)
While it's understandable that the previous owners might want to see what their house looks like now, forcing themselves inside is certainly not it. What's more interesting is the role of the neighbor in this situation. u/No-Ask3051 says that their relationship prior to this incident was quite neighborly.
"The neighbor is a lady of 68 years," the author told Bored Panda in a message via Reddit. "She is, overall, a nice lady; always helping with something, always there for us. Although, like every other person, she has some thoughts about life in general and other things that we just can't agree [on]. Maybe it is because of the age difference, maybe [it's] just because people are different."
The Redditor says she was a tad shocked when the neighbor reacted in such a hostile manner. "She was quite angry when I denied their request. I have never seen her like that. She tried to get answers [about] why I am not comfortable with letting strangers in my home. I said, 'I am not comfortable and that is it for me.' She told me I was rude."
The most ridiculous part of the story is that the neighbor now continues to socialize with the owners as if nothing happened. "[She's] chatting with us normally like nothing happened. [As if] she did not tell me that I am rude and weird," u/No-Ask3051 says with obvious disbelief. "Everything is back to normal."
In her post, u/No-Ask3051 mentions how the previous owners already did the same thing some years ago. But back then, her mother handled the unwelcome guests. "My mom told me she couldn't believe that they came again," the Redditor tells us.
She said her mom let them in, although she was confused. She did it to keep the peace between neighbors. "She complied with it," the author says. "Her decision to let them in definitely sparked some thoughts, also because of making 'peace' with neighbors."
The author believes she did the right thing; you don't just show up at somebody's house like that
Image credits: Image by Freepik (not the actual photo)
"Privacy is something very important to me," the Redditor admits. "My first reaction was really simple; it [has been] OUR house for the last 30 years. My mother, my father, and I can decide if we want someone in our house [and] yard."
"Sometimes, you are not in a good mood, sometimes, your house is messy, or you have a lot to do that day. I thought, 'I have every right to say no to visitors. Especially someone I personally don't know.'
"I get it that people sometimes want to reminisce, they have memories, good or bad. But look at the house from the street, tell a story or two, and move on."
"I posted on Reddit because [the] reaction from my neighbor surprised me and made me feel like an a**. So mixed emotions and thoughts led me to Reddit. And as far as I have seen, 98% of Redditors agreed with me. It is creepy and weird, especially after I found out they were here before."
"I am from a small town in Croatia, where thoughts of other people matter," the Redditor opens up. She says that might make her more inclined to people-pleasing. "Sometimes, we go really far to make other people satisfied just because we are scared to take action ourselves, and we are scared that other people are going to talk about us badly."
The Redditor says that's a whole other story -- what people in small towns do to stay in their neighbors' good graces. She thinks this is probably the reason the neighbor now smiles and chats with them as if nothing happened -- to keep the 'peace' with the neighbors.
Most commenters backed the author for doing the right thing
In fact, many had similar stories
However, one person called the author a jerk; the women probably just felt nostalgic for their childhood home
