I know this guy. We're not really friends, but we're very friendly with each other. We see each other fairly often in social settings, but in about 10 years there's only been 5 or 6 times when we were alone together.
Five or six years ago, in conversation I happened to mention to him that I enjoy watching the Little League World Series. I told him that I like youth sports better than professional or college, because there's no money involved, and I feel like kids are playing a game for fun as you should. He then mentioned that his young son had started playing (American) football. I said something to the effect of "I'd love to see that" or "can I watch him play sometime?" I don't recall what was said next, but nothing came of it for over five years.
Fast forward to last week. We were talking about whatever, and I asked him if his son was still playing. The son is in the 8 to 12 age range, I estimate. He said yes, he's got a game coming up. I asked "Could I come watch?", and he gave me what I felt was a very strange and insulting response.
He just said no. I asked why not. He said "you're not family" and then added "but you can hang around us here" (here meaning where we often socialize with others usually including his wife and kids).
I should also mention that years ago, I was riding in his car when we needed to go to his house to pick some things up. He parked on a crossroad near his street, and had his petite wife walk down the sidewalk carrying the items. I thought that was strange. Did he not want me to know which house he lives in?
Am I being weird or is he? I have zero interest in "hanging around" his family, and have never said or done anything to indicate that I do, other than asking about watching his son play ball. I've spoken very briefly with his wife a couple of times, but I've never said a single word to any of his children, not even a "hi". I don't even remember his two girls' names.
Was it weird of me to ask to go watch his son play? Or is he weird for treating an innocuous request as if I'm a pedophile or stalker or something?
Five or six years ago, in conversation I happened to mention to him that I enjoy watching the Little League World Series. I told him that I like youth sports better than professional or college, because there's no money involved, and I feel like kids are playing a game for fun as you should. He then mentioned that his young son had started playing (American) football. I said something to the effect of "I'd love to see that" or "can I watch him play sometime?" I don't recall what was said next, but nothing came of it for over five years.
Fast forward to last week. We were talking about whatever, and I asked him if his son was still playing. The son is in the 8 to 12 age range, I estimate. He said yes, he's got a game coming up. I asked "Could I come watch?", and he gave me what I felt was a very strange and insulting response.
He just said no. I asked why not. He said "you're not family" and then added "but you can hang around us here" (here meaning where we often socialize with others usually including his wife and kids).
I should also mention that years ago, I was riding in his car when we needed to go to his house to pick some things up. He parked on a crossroad near his street, and had his petite wife walk down the sidewalk carrying the items. I thought that was strange. Did he not want me to know which house he lives in?
Am I being weird or is he? I have zero interest in "hanging around" his family, and have never said or done anything to indicate that I do, other than asking about watching his son play ball. I've spoken very briefly with his wife a couple of times, but I've never said a single word to any of his children, not even a "hi". I don't even remember his two girls' names.
Was it weird of me to ask to go watch his son play? Or is he weird for treating an innocuous request as if I'm a pedophile or stalker or something?
