What’s a good way to approach a weird neighbor?

I have a neighbor who stands out in his backyard and stares at my house every day around the same time. He has been doing this for a very long time and never misses a day. The staring sessions usually last between 1-2 hours, whether I’m outside or go back inside. Every time I try to greet or say something to him, he just keeps standing there almost completely still just staring at me. He looks to be in his 40s or 50s. After this long staring session, he just walks back in the house. I am not scared for my safety, I just want him to stop staring at me and my family. What’s the best way to handle this situation?

Comments

  1. littlelorax Avatar

    Go out there with two beers, hand him one and start staring at your house with him. Casually ask, “so, what’re we lookin’ at?”

  2. Old_gal4444 Avatar

    Perhaps it is some religious thing and he really isn’t seeing you because he’s in a “state”.

  3. revtim Avatar

    Use a mirror to blind him with the sun

  4. mechanicalpencilly Avatar

    Are you sure he’s staring at you? Did he do this before you moved in? I mean I sit in my yard and drink wine. I can see the neighbors and they can see me. I’m not staring. I just have eyes in my head.

  5. Primer50 Avatar

    He might be “special’ my neighbor’s daughter who is like 7 stands on the property line and stares at me all the time like a little creep . So I can relate. Then I found out after talking to her she wanted to pet my cats lol.

  6. Mullins19 Avatar

    Do the house had thing that someone else did… I wish I could find the post, and post it in the comments! It was funny to read!

  7. NeonXshieldmaiden Avatar

    I would try to figure out why.
    He may be mentally disabled and not realizing that what he’s doing is awkward.

  8. Electrical-Pie-8192 Avatar

    Maybe he’s just getting his dose of vitamin D? I stand outside doing nothing sometimes to soak in the sun, probably looks odd when I’m on the sidewalk for 20 minutes

  9. WithoutDennisNedry Avatar

    Have one of those life-sized cutouts made of you staring. When he starts, go prop yours up facing him. When he goes inside, go take it down.

  10. nycvhrs Avatar

    Sounds like the poor guy may have brain damage/dementia.

  11. GiggleFester Avatar

    Do you have a fence? If so, there are artificial vines or lightweight lattice from a big box store or Amazon that you can attach to block his view (as long as you don’t have an HOA).
    https://a.co/d/1bo7aGW

  12. Beans_0492 Avatar

    Actually standing not sitting? Is he pacing? That has to be hell on the knees if he is just stoic. How does he look physically? Does he seem healthy or like a caretaker told him to go get some sun/fresh air and he did what he was told but only that?. Does anyone else live there? Damn I have so many questions.

    The only way this doesn’t seem creepy would be a the caretaker thing, that he isn’t well and has someone that comes by, send him out to get fresh air while they do house stuff like clean up, change sheets, make dinner?

    Him not responding to your attempts at a greeting and him just standing still is weird.

    I don’t thing dangerous I just think a weird ass dude.

    I don’t see a problem with going over maybe with beers or cookies or whatever and just asking like hey I wanted to introduce myself because I often see you looking over to my yard.

  13. Corvettelov Avatar

    The house behind mine sits higher so their deck is high, and he can see right into my back. He likes to sit there and I feel like he’s staring at my house. He’s probably not. I close my blinds and ignore him.

  14. Every-Candle-5026 Avatar

    I have a neighbour with bipolar and I’m familiar when he’s having issues. Wondering if your neighbour has a metal health condition

  15. Ok_Growth_5587 Avatar

    In a ghillie suit holding a hammer. Works every time.

  16. Peterbiltpiper Avatar

    [ Removed by Reddit ]

  17. sfwsaint Avatar

    Find some way to create privacy. Hedges or a higher fence. Do not engage. Once you open that door you’ve invited the “weird” to randomly knock on your door rather than stare at your house. I speak from experience. Never engage with the weird.

  18. w00ble Avatar

    My dad stands outside at sunset, stares at the sky, and talks to my late sister every night. He’s done this since she died in 2010. Could the neighbor be looking at something as a form of ceremony or memorial?