Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

AIBU?

Or is DH being a spineless people-pleaser?

16 replies

Pemba · 24/12/2016 17:34

I know that this is not important in the grand scheme of things, but:

Next door neighbours, retired couple, seem to be pleasant people though we don't really know them that well. However they do do one thing that is really annoying - they never park their car on their drive. They always park on the road in front of their house, and their other vehicle takes one of the communal visitor spaces. As we are in a smaller house in a tight corner between 2 other houses this makes it more difficult to get out of our own drive, particularly for DD when she was learning to drive.

Couple of years ago they had their drive resurfaced with that herring bone stuff, 'Great' I thought - 'Now they will start using their drive'. But no. No vehicles ever are allowed to sully their pristine drive. They don't have a garage - it's been converted.

DH was just outside and chatted with neighbour, who mentioned he has a lot of people coming for Christmas. As we will be out Christmas Day DH took it on himself to offer neighbour use of our drive for his visitors. We are only out for the day - we may get back and find we can't park on our own drive. Why can't he use his own bloody drive for once? And I am worried it might set a precedent.

However apparently I am unreasonable and unneighbourly. But there was just no need to offer, was there?

OP posts:

Report

december10th · 24/12/2016 17:38

I don't see the problem tbh
If you get back and they are still on your drive, then just knock and politely tell them

Randytortoise · 24/12/2016 17:38

it depends on the relationship with your neighbours. we have used our neighbours drive today and taken 'their ' on road parking and blocked their drive as we had lots of visitors and they were not in. but we have a mutual agreement that if ever a car is blocking or using our (shared) drive, we know it is our neighbours and will always knock and ask them to move if the space is needed.

we are happy with this as it is give and take. it sounds like your neighbours are only take.

Randytortoise · 24/12/2016 17:38

it depends on the relationship with your neighbours. we have used our neighbours drive today and taken 'their ' on road parking and blocked their drive as we had lots of visitors and they were not in. but we have a mutual agreement that if ever a car is blocking or using our (shared) drive, we know it is our neighbours and will always knock and ask them to move if the space is needed.

we are happy with this as it is give and take. it sounds like your neighbours are only take.

Randytortoise · 24/12/2016 17:39

sorry for double post still trying to get my head around the new app!

Soubriquet · 24/12/2016 17:45

I don't think it's a problem really

Baffling to why they won't use their own drive but there we go.

If you come home and they are still parked there, I'm sure a polite word will shift them.

Least it will make your house look like someone is home with you out all day. Safer for you and will deter a very brazen theif

Pemba · 24/12/2016 17:47

Hmm, never thought of that Soubriquet. So maybe it's OK. Hope it doesn't become a habit, though.

OP posts:

OohhThatsMe · 24/12/2016 17:49

So basically your neighbour's guests will be parking on your drive while their own remains empty?

Pemba · 24/12/2016 17:55

Sounds about right, Oohh. I wouldn't mind if it was a neighbour who was normal about drives!

However, hopefully it might make him think twice about why he doesn't use his own?

OP posts:

BToperator · 24/12/2016 18:06

If you come home and can't park on your drive, just park on your neighbours. That should make your point nicely.

Lemon12345 · 24/12/2016 18:09

If I went to someones house for Christmas and their drive was empty I would park there... if they told me to park on next doors whilst theirs was empty I would be baffled and ask them...

I find it rather odd.
Drive issues seem a big thing on here sometimes, but only really an issue if you are unable to knock on their door and ask them (some health issue preventing you from doing so) then I don't get it. Heck I'd drag any kids, dogs, visitors etc too if they didn't ask before hand.

Pemba · 24/12/2016 18:09

Good thought BT. But we really wouldn't dare to actually drive onto it. Nobody ever has since we've lived here. God knows what he has underneath.

OP posts:

TwoGunslingers · 24/12/2016 18:11

You need to get a grip of yourself. So what if they don't use their drive. Your DH offered to let them use it (which i would say was nice of him rather than calling him names)

Stop being so precious

Pemba · 24/12/2016 18:13

We've lived here 5 years now Lemon. I feel as though it's too late to bring it up. And don't want to fall out with them as, like I said, they are generally nice neighbours. It's bad enough with Mr Grumpyface on the other side ....

OP posts:

GeillisTheWitch · 24/12/2016 18:14

If you come home and can't park on your drive, just park on your neighbours

This. If their guests are using yours then they won't have a leg to stand on.

Pemba · 24/12/2016 18:18

Nice try, GunSlinger but nope. If anyone is being precious it is neighbour re his sacred drive.

OP posts:

Sung · 24/12/2016 18:24

How annoying - not sure you or your DH can do much about it though.

Think your DH was being nice (as long as he gave an approximate time that your would be home - if not then BToperator's suggestion is the most logical course of action if your drive is occupied on your return) - an approach that is more likely to get them using their own drive in the long run...maybe.

Flip

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.