I am somewhat of a privacy buff when it comes to neighbors, but still I would never treat someone that rudely who was just trying to be friendly. And I don't think that it has anything to do w/ being a cop, in fact most cops are pretty nice people under friendly circumstances. Especially the younger crop, they do a LOT of personality testing for that job and they really have to get along well w/ coworkers.
Just curious, how did you already know what he does for a living? And I'm also curious as to your statement that you have a right to know the people living near you; you have no such right. He is a bit of a jerk if he is totally unfriendly towards you, but that is definitely
his right. I believe that I have a right to let neighbors and strangers know as much or little about me as I darn well please. I am friendly when I am walking my dog or in the elevator, but if I sense someone being nosey or asking me questions that are not their business, I will stonewall them completely. "Hello" is all they'll ever get.
I learned the trick to getting along w/ coworkers or neighbors a long time ago, say hello and be nice but totally stay out of their business. This also puts people at ease that you are not an idiot, and sometimes causes them to trust you later.
FWIW, none of this necessarily applies to your actions, CD55, it just gave me a chance to vent about a subject that holds great interest for me which is privacy. I believe that it's a right that is being eroded in the modern age, and it has value on its own. It is irrelevant whether someone has "something to hide".
Lastly, who knows what the guy might have been going through at that moment? He might have been in the middle of a huge fight w/ his wife or had a horrible day at work. Or he might just be an extremely anti-social person. Either way I would not waste another minute worrying about it, it has exactly nothing to do w/ your life.
