Chap from up the street...how would you treat him?

[Tykey]

Hi all you sensible and balanced people

There's a chap who lives on my street who in my opinion is a PITA and because of this I barely give him the time of day.

Good points - very friendly, his property is well kept, very helpful i.e. will borrow you things like tools etc

Bad points - alcoholic, if shown the slightest bit of friendliness he starts knocking at my door often for stupid reasons i.e. 1 time he knocked to ask what time it was.

I sent him an Xmas card yesterday like I have done the other neighbours and today he knocked at my door, to me he sounded like he'd had a drink, says 'did you send me a card?' then proceeds to tell me he fell over the other day (he often falls over when drunk), I say 'yep it's because you drink', he then denied he drinks, he lies about drinking himself to oblivion, and I closed the door on him.

It's Christmas time, he lives alone and I don't want to be not nice to someone especially at this time of the year. But my instinct is to be very cool with him, say 'hi' and swiftly move on if I see him when I walk my dog etc. Am I right to treat him like this?

 

[Tykey]

Mixed bag of opinions then. Yes he has been a bit of nuisance at times. When he knocks at the door I've sometimes ignored it but he comes back soon after, my dog goes nuts when the door goes. As mentioned he's come round for daft reasons like asking what time it is. I know 1 neighbour now pretends she's out when he knocks at hers.

I do feel sorry for him, addiction is an illness. I will remain polite when I see him out and about but will keep my distance and limit it to a simple 'Hi'. Fwiw he is good mates with the other local alcoholic in this street who is really out there but that's another story, I have nothing to do with him other than say hello, going to treat them both the same.

Don't want people like these to be in my life in any way shape or form. And yes if they had their way this would happen, I've been invited to socialise with them etc. Not my type of people.