My Neighbor Stares At Me While I’m Gardening And Is Creeping Me Out!
Is Staring Illegal?
Gardening is supposed to be a peaceful and therapeutic activity. For Mandy, it started out that way until an unsettling encounter with her neighbor turned her gardening routine into a cause for concern. Mandy’s experience was shared on Country 102.5’s “Panic Button” segment with Jonathan and Ayla, where she sought advice on how to handle a creepy neighbor who wouldn’t stop staring at her while she worked in her yard.
Jonathan
Country 102.5, Jonathan and Ayla doing Panic Button, and today for Panic Button we have Mandy. Hey, Mandy.
Mandy
Hi.
Jonathan
Hi, so Mandy, your problem is with looky-loos, I guess. What happened?
Mandy
You could say that. So over the weekend, I was tending to my garden. My family decided we’re going to plant a garden in the yard this year, which we’re very proud of. So I’ve been working on that, and I love it. I was just pulling up weeds, dressed comfortably. It was a great day.
Jonathan
Thanks.
Mandy
And I was bending over a lot to pull up the weeds. One time, I got up and saw my neighbor, who lives down the street. Everybody knows him; we’ve definitely seen him before. He was sort of staring. He didn’t come over or say anything. He was just watching me work, which I thought was kind of weird. He was there for a while. I went in halfway through the day to make the kids lunch, and I looked out the window and didn’t see him anymore, so I thought, maybe he was just hanging out outside too. That was weird, but an hour later, I went out and kept pulling weeds. Every time I bent over and stood up, I saw him out there again.
Danielle
Okay.
Mandy
And he was just staring. I’m super uncomfortable. Obviously, he’s my neighbor. We’ve all seen him before. I know where he lives. But I’m kind of like, why was he staring? Should I be concerned? It’s kind of uncomfortable for me.
Jonathan
I’m going to ask you the most uncomfortable question I think I’ve ever asked a woman on air or otherwise.
Danielle
Oh boy.
Jonathan
And I’m not saying he had a right to do this or you deserved this, but what were you wearing? I’m not victim-shaming. I’m just asking. Were you wearing shorts or something?
Mandy
If you saw what I did yard work in, I don’t think you’d look twice.
Jonathan
So no, it wasn’t like you were dressed provocatively or anything like that. Even if you were, I’m just trying to figure out what the hell he was doing because it seems more likely he was just perving on you.
Mandy
Yeah, just comfortable, practical clothes.
Jonathan
If you were dressed a little more provocatively, maybe that’s his thing. Maybe gardening clothes are his deal.
Danielle
He likes Dutch women.
Jonathan
Well, who doesn’t?
Danielle
So Mandy, you’re not part of a homeowners association or anything like that, where he might be trying to figure out if you’re allowed to plant things there or the size of your bushes, right?
Mandy
No, we’re not. We took pains to make sure we were not part of a homeowners association so we wouldn’t have to deal with that. I think that’s also what’s upsetting me about it.
Jonathan
Alright, so are you married? Do you have a man living with you?
Mandy
Yeah, I’ve been with my husband for several years, and we clearly have kids. We have toys out in the front yard and stuff.
Jonathan
Alright, so this guy would know you’re married.
Mandy
I hope so.
Jonathan
Yeah, I don’t know. I’m just trying to think because there’s nothing you can do about it, right?
Danielle
Unless you just stand back and stare at him and wave uncomfortably.
Jonathan
Yeah, like, “Hey, what’s up?”
Jonathan
Alright, well, 888-819-1025, call in right now. Mandy’s problem is that she’s doing yard work, and some guy in his 40s is staring at her the entire time. Then she went inside, he went away, and when she came back outside, he came back and stared again. It creeped her out. She thinks he was perving on her. What could she do about this? Is there anything she can do? Maybe have your husband talk to him? I don’t know. 888-819-1025, call in right now. Help Mandy out; she’s a little freaked out about this. Mandy, thank you so much.
Danielle
Time for a fence.
Mandy
Thanks, guys.
Mandy’s experience is unfortunately not uncommon. If you find yourself in a similar situation, remember that your comfort and safety are paramount. Consider talking to a trusted neighbor or family member about the incident, and don’t hesitate to reach out to local authorities if you feel threatened or unsafe.
