If a random stranger knocked on your door and asked for a tour of your house because they used to live there, what would you do?
On the one hand, they could be telling the truth and be there with the best of intentions. But, on the other hand, they are a stranger you know nothing about - you’d really need to keep your eye on them at all times.
The confused woman disagreed with her husband about what to do, so she took to Reddit to ask the opinions of others.
She wrote: “I'm a 28-year-old woman. My husband is 31 and we recently had our first child together; a little boy who's about to be eight months old. We've just found out that we are expecting our second child.
“We also recently moved a few states over for my husband's work. We moved to a town that's a bit of a cross between an old, small town and a suburb, and we ended up buying an older house.
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"A few weeks ago we were still getting settled in. I was working on unpacking while my son was taking his afternoon nap when I heard the doorbell. I answered the front door and saw an older man (probably mid 60's) with a couple of little girls (not sure how old they were; but likely under 10) standing on my front porch.
“"Hello" he said. "I'm really sorry to drop in on you like this. My name is [...] and these are my two granddaughters. This was the first house I ever lived in and I lived here until I was 12 years-old. I've always missed this place and I just want to see it one last time, and also show it to the grandkids since I've been boring them with stories about this place their entire lives.
“I don't mean to impose, but I notice you just moved in here, so would it be asking too much to just let us walk through here one time? We'll be gone in 30 minutes; I promise."
“OK, now; I don't know this man. Admittedly, he looked completely non-threatening; short, bald, chubby, and with a pleasant expression. But, still, I was a pregnant woman home alone other than my tiny, vulnerable, sleeping baby. Based on that I told him: "Geez, I'm sorry, but no. I'm just not comfortable with strangers traipsing through my house right now."
“He answered: "I completely understand, but we really won't be a bother. We won't touch anything and we'll be gone soon. I know this is an odd request but it would really mean a lot to me if you'd just let me in for a little bit."
“I answered: "No, sorry. I can't do that. This is my home and I won't let a stranger in without a good reason. Please leave."
“He said: "I think giving an ageing man one last visit to his childhood home is a 'good reason' but OK. Can't force you." He then left.
“Later that evening when my husband got home I told him about the weird encounter. He told me that I should have just let the man look at the place. He said that we all get nostalgic about the places we grow up in and that it would have been a nice gesture to let this man see his childhood home.
“He also said that I likely just fostered bad will among my new townmates. But I think that my comfort and safety as well as the safety of my son is more important than some random person's reminiscing.”
Such a tough situation, but Redditors flocked to the comments to support the original poster, saying she did the right thing.
One said: “JUST 30 minutes. He plans to walk through a stranger's house, I bet want to take pictures and THIRTY minutes! Hell no. And with two children.
“Who knows if this isn't a trick to get their hands on your expensive stuff. A sobbing story. An old man and two children. They look harmless but three people are exactly enough that it will be hard to keep an eye on everybody if you are just a pair yourself.”
Another wrote: “See my first thought was he was gonna scope the place out. Never ever let strangers into your home, especially when you're alone. Just because they look non-threatening doesn't mean they aren't carrying a weapon of some kind.”
“This a common tactic done by professional thieves to case places, fyi”, one bluntly commented.
Another wrote: “Yeah, notice the "I don't mean to impose, but I notice you just moved in here" He knew the house was for sale, he could have toured then if he wanted to.
“He probably lied. And the fact he wouldn't back up and kept insisting after she said no, is sketchy. Just because he is an old man with two kids, that doesn't mean he is not threatening.
“Also, that's your house, it has your valuables, your privacy, and you have no reason to get out of your way to accommodate some strange man that shows up at your door unexpectedly.”
