<p>You don’t know if escalating the situation will work or not. Your reaction to his obnoxious comments may be what gives him a thrill.
I worked on the trading floor of a major exchange when I was your age, which was 90% guys, many without manners. I learned that developing the attitude of, “You are so boring,” works well. He’s looking for a reaction, but never give him one; if he asks a direct question, don’t answer it. Don’t respond with more than monosyllables, or “See ya,” even if he’s being a jerk. Head inside or pretend to answer your phone if he tries to start a conversation.</p>
<p>Lots of conflicting advice on here.</p>
<p>Ignore it; head inside
Confront him directly by asking him to repeat what he just said
Confront him directly by being rude and crude back
Get an older male relative to confront him
Go to the police
Talk to his lady-friend or wife</p>
<p>It’s hard to know what’s the right move in a situation we don’t directly observe.</p>
<p>Do not be outside, hire lawn people, pick up mail after dark, drive into garage, get into car in garage, do not open door - very easy, I do not even see my neighbors at all.</p>
<p>A guy asked me if I was married this morning, so I said yes to derail his train of thought. He persisted in asking if I liked to cook and telling me where he lived. When I wouldn’t give him my phone number, he persisted in trying to give me his. There is nothing about my appearance or behavior to encourage this.</p>
<p>I don’t think his conduct is illegal at this point. Agree with the advice above.</p>
<p>It is a serious mistake to make the man angry at you. Telling him to f off is foolish. The only thing worse than having a male neighbor focus on you because you are attractive is to have one focus on you because he is mad at you. Some of the above comments may result in harm to you (OP).</p>
<p>The appropriate response is series of responses and escalating the responses only if the prior one does not work. </p>
<p>Your first response, should be something of “Mr. Neighbor, thank you for trying to be friendly and neighborly, but I really prefer to be left alone.”</p>
<p>If that does not work, say something like, “Mr. Neighbor, as I mention to you previously, I prefer to be left alone and I do not wish to talk to you.”</p>
<p>If this does not work, then escalate the response based on how he responds to your comments.</p>
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<p>I think the OP should not bring her DNA to his house.</p>
<p>Quick Question: I have to mow the lawn tomorrow. Due to budget constraints, I can’t call someone to do it. As I work, it is likely that the neighbor will come outside to say hello.</p>
<p>Should I ignore him? Or should say a very, very quick wave, as I usually do? I’m worried that, if I ignore him, it could make him amp up his efforts in order to get my attention.</p>
<p>wear headphones, when he gets your attention even if he has to stand directly in front of you- just a curt nod of acknowledgement - DON"T remove your headphones. Try and wear obvious ear protection.</p>
<p>Is this guy in the Senate or the House of Representatives?</p>
<p>Ignore and no eye contact. Make sure someone knows where you are and call them when starting and leaving. What a jerk!</p>
<p>We’re not giving advice on how to walk downtown in a dangerous city the OP is visiting. This is the young woman’s HOME. I am unwilling to concede that she should make ANY concessions in her normal lifestyle (by staying inside, hiring someone to mow, etc.) to accommodate a neighbor who is making her uncomfortable by his aggressive actions. In fact, this makes me angry. This is how the bully wins.</p>
<p>If she has told him she is not interested, he needs to STOP.</p>
<p>I think we all agree that she should NOT have to feel this way or be uncomfortable by the neighbor’s actions and he’s wrong. I think we are all differing about the best way to get the message across to him without escalating things and making things WORSE for her. </p>
<p>Perhaps, if you could get a STRONG-looking male prop to come and keep you company while you are mowing the lawn, that might be a disincentive (brother, cousin, someone’s BF, uncle, classmate, friend). That might get the message across more than anything you say. Sometimes bullies need to see visible proof that you are not available, primitive as it is & sounds. Sad but true.</p>
<p>Next time he hits on you don’t make inappropriate excuses. This guy needs to know that you are not even slightly interested in him and that you are even being offended. The more you ignore and being polite on how he is acting, the more brave he is becoming of what he is doing. And this guy is almost your father! He is a pervert and it is really creepy. Next time don’t tend the lawn. Let a guy in your family do it for you. Avoid any contact with this man.</p>
<p>Schmaltz, that is funny!</p>
<p>Do you know any of your other neighbors? Are there any women in the neighborhood whom you might ask about this guys inapropriate behavior?</p>
<p>I’d stick in the earbuds and pretend not to hear a word he says. Keep your eyes on your task and PRETEND to ignore the guy. He should eventually get bored and find someone else to bother that gives him a reaction he is looking for.</p>
<p>Sadly many guys that age thnk they are being really smooth and clever.They also think that you will find them attractive. Yuck.</p>
<p>Would get something more obvious like those HUGE ear protection things that look like earmuffs if you have any available or perhaps at a thrift shop (earbuds are too small & subtle). Agree that he may have some dementia, but not sure what you can do about it if he does unless he starts to trespass and come onto your property.</p>
<p>It well might be worthwhile talking with other neighbors to see if he’s bothering them (especially other young females) as well. Perhaps if you all work together, you can come up TOGETHER with something to let him know this is a problem that needs to stop.</p>