When I say a detached hello to people in my building, I’m simply practicing a neighborly vibe. I think that some of the new, younger tenants think it’s annoying, because they don’t bother to say hello back. Maybe they think I’m a pathetic lady trying to make friends.
I’ve been here 22 years and management has changed four times. The apartments that aren’t rent stabilized or rent controlled are subjected to rent hikes based on the whim of the owners.
So new tenants, I understand your resentment and feeling of instability, especially when your rent goes up $300 after one year – ‘Oh for this dump!’ you think, as you probably qualify for better in your professional capacity. You guys move in and out of here in the life span of cockroaches.
The solid tenants who have lumbered along in this ancient building for years are beneficiaries of rent stabilization or rent control, and I know them. I have no idea who some of you newer ones are, but a couple of you are evil.
When you stare brazenly and don’t respond the few times I say ‘hello’ on different days — okay. But when you fall with your garbage bag full of liquor bottles, and I’m ahead of you, turn around, see it’s you, and keep stepping, don’t mumble something that vaguely sounds like, ‘Thanks a lot for helping me’.
“What’d you say? Fuck you. You can’t say good morning, but expect me to help you? Kiss my ass.”
You caught me on a bad day. If you’d really hurt yourself, I would have helped. I’m not a jerk. You just became a convenient target for my anger that day. I’ll practice self-control for the others.
There’s a four-eyed woman who rolled her eyes when I said hello. Ouch! But I should have taken that hint when we were in the laundry room. I had the rare urge (You people don’t realize that I’m actually one of you.) to make small talk and you whipped around and snapped, “What!?”
That other one, who I stopped speaking to after no responses, looks at me expectantly, now that she has a new baby. But, too late bitch – you don’t exist to me anymore.
See, I had a talk with myself to remind myself that I need to respect you all and your wishes not to speak to me, and that I shouldn’t take it personally. While I’ll still hold the elevator door open for all of you, you are now, henceforth, nonentities.
1800ukillme 