I (21M) was approached by a neighbor of mine she was about 50 (I can’t remember her exact age) while walking my dogs, she talked to me and after some time of talking, asked if I knew a Hispanic man with a "man-bun" I said I did not, she said he had been harassing her after what she assumed to be his friend had tried to force his way into her house, she invited me inside and we talked some more about it, the man had been harassing her for about a month and a half, making rude gestures as he walked his dog, at about the same time every morning, so I offered to stand outside her house at this time (about 7:30-8) each day to deter him, she said yes and was quite grateful, I did so for two days, I saw nothing of the man she had described, today, another man (who did not look like the man she described) approached and asked what I was doing standing here each day, I told him the gist and he told me she had posted on the local neighborhood chat (I am not on the neighborhood chat) that she did not know me, in response to people being creeped out by my presence, I knocked on her door asked if she remembered me but all she said is that I was scaring people and I had best stop. I should note that when we first talked, she repeatedly asked if I knew the man she was talking about and asked where I lived multiple times, seemingly not remembering my answers, I decided to do this anyway because I choose to believe her. I just, don’t understand, and I’m wondering what I did wrong. Am I the asshole? Thank you.
\-Update: As advised, I’m not going to interact with this woman any longer, I may ask my next-door neighbor who I am close with if she knows the woman and could talk to her about her health, thank you all for the advice and the kind words, it really did help.
\-2nd update: I spoke to my neighbor, she wasn’t sure it was me, but had known about the situation, she told me that not only has this woman been calling her constantly trying to see if I was the man standing outside her house in a coat, but she said she didn’t know out of fear of me being hurt, she also told me that the man the woman told me about hasn’t come near her in 6 months (she saw the original interaction and the man never tried to force his way in, he and the women just yelled at each other due to him walking his dogs without a leash and he hasn’t come near her house since 6 months ago) she said the woman also got into a fight with another man who only interacted with her once and she has since said he was harassing her consistently so this seems to be a pattern.
as such I am going to avoid her and not pay this situation any more attention. Thank you all again.
God Bless you all
NTA. Sounds like dementia
It, it might be
There may well have been a man with a bun standing watching her house, someone she asked to watch her house because some other guy had been watching her house before.
You’ve been looking for him.
Now some other dude has been watching you.
Dread Pirate Manbun situation.
I’ll agree that this is probably mental health related. It’s sad, but you’re not an asshole.
You found the crazy neighbor and luckily it hasn’t cost you much yet. Walk away and don’t engage with her.
NTA for standing out and trying to protect someone who asked for help. That is noble and we need more noble people in this world. HOWEVER, I think this woman may be mentally ill. The pattern you describe seems to suggest delusional thinking. Schizoaffective disorder comes to mind.
NAH, it sounds like she has cognitive issues, you weren’t aware and were trying to help.
My guess is she is either mentally ill or has dementia. I would steer clear from here on out.