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How should I behave toward this person who I suspect does not like me?

Asked by jca (36062points) August 4th, 2011

There is a woman, in the complex where I live, who is approximately my age. She’s married, with a few kids. I suspect she does not like me (details follow). I usually go out of my way to say hi, partly as a ball-busting measure, partly because I am friendly to everyone. I am wondering if I should continue this behavior, or stop saying anything to her at all.

The reason why I suspect she does not like me is this (bear with me): We run into each other at the complex’s events (holiday, summer, etc). She used to be friendly, told me if I wanted to bring my child to her house to play with her kids it would be fine, stuff like that. About two years ago, her neighbor was looking for someone to spend the evening with her handicapped son, so she could get away overnight. This would have required no hands-on stuff, just essentially babysitting this handicapped adult in case of emergency, getting him dinner, whatever. I was willing to help the neighbor, but not willing to do so for free. I asked Fluther for advice (can’t find the question, so I can’t do the link) and I concluded that I would ask for $100 per night (I had reasons for choosing that amount which I won’t go into unless you want me to). I told the neighbor of my offer, and she never took me up on it. I suspect that it was after this, the neighbor told this woman and the woman now has not been friendly to me.

That is the only reason I can think of that this woman that I am asking about does not talk to me. I am not paranoid, and I know it’s possible she’s shy, but she didn’t used to be, she chats with everyone else, and also I notice she will turn her back to me when I’m around.

So, back to my question- should I continue to say hello and be nice to this woman, or should I stop talking to her totally, or something else?

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