[Maru]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

Also, he was her neighbour? How did she not recognise him?

Americans I think tend to be more paranoid or at least awkward about our surroundings I think... so that's one... we also don't tend to like to be forced into small talk with folk we don't know we will get on with. So I think our social lives are a bit insular, at worst, anti-social than it used to be...

I've lived in 'burbs and apartments where no one says hi to each other or even hangs around outside their door or on their patio... super paranoid and it was like that in the shops as well... saying hello to people seemed to inconvenience others... though Texas is not generally that because we're more outgoing, so that's a bit odd to me as well, Marsh.

Though... consider the policewoman may have been doing a lot of shift work. Especially if she was a "newboot" and hasn't been in long enough to change to other positions or bid for better hours, then it's likely she was on the late shift... so she will more than likely be coming and going at odd hours. If she's working an EJ (extra job) for extra money which is super common, then she may rarely be home as it is... so it's not unusual if the resident is law enforcement that neighbors will almost never see them... we know a lot of folk and a vast majority work late shift, particularly if it's in the city... we have a neighbor who we see their car, but I have seen them once and I've lived here 3-4 years...

If the folk who live there are saying the opposite though and these two have mingled, then that would be a major red flag for me... it's possible though they were a newer resident as well and just didn't know their surroundings well enough yet... or maybe that was her first time coming home at night possible if you work during the day and get off 6-7... our nights run very late here in Texas, sometimes to 9-10 around summer solstice... but police here do a lot of night shift work, so that wouldn't be common I think... especially in the city...

I will say though, some peace officers don't like to mingle too much with total strangers, especially if they are in an apartment and identifiable. There is retaliation with that job and my husband had "run ins" of his own...(Edit) I forgot to mention as well, also because people will harass them frequently to come handle their ticket or personal drama ... unfortunately some aspects of that work can make some individuals a bit cautious towards strangers. That won't ever change as it's habits that all peace officers develop over time just from what they look out for and be conscious of as part of their work...