On my way home yesterday, a man I'd never met asked me if he could come inside my apartment, use the toilet, and pray. Because it was nearly past his prayer-o'clock.
A series of 'what the fucks???' crossed my mind, then a 'forgive me for I may have sinned' to ward off the what the fucks, just in case, despite different and often opposing religions. I said NO.
I put this situation on Facebook, asking if my refusal to let him in was uncharitable. All friends who responded said it was reasonable for me not to let him inside. It was a unanimous no. Terms like weirdo, murderer, rapist, con-artist, and junkie were bandied about. Mum reminded me of the stranger danger that she taught me as a kid. And someone pointed out the obvious. If he needed to pray on time, he needed to plan his trip better. That's what the Metlink site is there for.
Despite all of these potential realities - I once came home to a junkie lying in my yard, looking a bit dead and so I called the police, so if I handled that I could handle anything - I was worried about two things if I were to invite him in. Were there any dirty undies on the floor, left in haste before the morning's shower? And I dislike religion being forced onto me, so the thought of someone praying in my apartment disturbed the BeJesus (or in this case, the BeAllah) out of me. Being murdered didn't cross my mind.
Someone asked if my toilet was a shrine. Well yes, actually. It is. Aside from the seriously stylish prints of Libra Fleur adorning my cistern, my toilet door is a shrine to some of my favourite musos. Pictures of Silverchair. Savage Garden, Genevieve Maynard and Kurt Cobain are blu-tacked on the back (shhh it's a rental), and a sign that reads 'Do not disturb, I'm listening to Silverchair' hangs from the handle (definitely NOT a euphemism for 'do not disturb, I'm doing a poo'). Had I let the man in, my music tastes (religion) may have been forced on him in the toilet-shrine.
And that's just another example of the strange folk I attract.
Telling my story of what it's like to live with Ichthyosis and a visible difference. Loving life!
How hilarious. I think I would have wanted to let him in but would have had to channel my inner grown up and say no, sorry, my dog would maul you.
ReplyDeleteSo weird... but funny at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have let him in either :/ :/ :/
It's definitely a situation where I think I'd feel a bit strange afterwards. Was it mean to say no? Would it be crazy to say yes? Not fun.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd probably say no to any person of any religious affiliation who just asked to use my loo. It's sad, but it's a reflection of society today. You don't know who the crazies are.
Reread your third paragraph.
ReplyDeleteReread your third paragraph.
Reread your third paragraph.
Survive. Stay alive.
Do not let strangers into your apartment.
Ummmmm. I am with your mom "Stranger Danger!!!"
ReplyDeleteOMG. Carly that freaks me out. You proably had that "hair on your neck feeling". I know I did while reading this. That's just so creepy. I hate that shit.
ReplyDeleteOne time this random construction worker walked up to me as I was walking my puppy and was like:
"What a cute puppy!"
Me: "Thanks!"
Man: *trying to take puppy* "He's so cute."
Me: "Please don't pick him up. He doesn't like it."
Man: Asks me weird sexual questions."
I freaked out.
I hightailed it outta there.
I would not have known how to respond to that at all. But I do have a pretty iron-clad rule that I don't unlock the front door for strangers. That is just so odd.
ReplyDelete