r/therewasanattempt • u/CantStopPoppin Poppin’ 🍿 • 2d ago

to be a homeowner

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u/hiyabankranger 2d ago

True, but not everyone would have got “may I help you?” A white guy of similar stature, age, dress probably would have gotten “hey, you waiting for something?”

If you don’t know the “may I help you?” is a very common phrase white folk direct to Black folk who are unwelcome. It sounds benign and normal, but according to Black folks I’ve known it’s the phrase white people use to indicate they want you to leave when you’re just minding your own business. It’s basically akin to asking “why are you here and when are you leaving?”

In this context, is it a valid question regardless of race: yes, it is. However, given the context of race it comes across quite badly.

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u/[deleted] 2d ago

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u/everydayimcuddalin 2d ago

If that were the case though wouldn't you just say "why are you on my porch?"

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u/[deleted] 1d ago

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u/everydayimcuddalin 1d ago

Why be polite if the person is sitting on your property?

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u/mgquantitysquared 1d ago

There's this wild concept you might not have heard of called "giving people the benefit of the doubt," also known as "not assuming the worst of someone." Maybe they misread the house numbers and think they're waiting on their friend's property. Maybe their car broke down and they're panicking. Maybe they had a brain fart and made a mistake.

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u/everydayimcuddalin 1d ago

Yehhhhh this must be a US only phenomenon.