My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

AIBU?

Am I being a terrible snob?

423 replies

GirlOnATrainToShite · 19/06/2017 18:47

SMIL and FIL coming to stay for week soon which is an annual event. They are in all lovely and no trouble apart from the fact they watch every single soap going .

I admit I am not great with guests and I struggle having people in my space for long periods. We are also a large blended family so the house will be full (not relevant).

SMIL is a lovely northern lady who lives in an area where everyone is in and out of each other's houses, everyone knows that each other and it's a small area we live down south in a big area and very much keep to ourselves - we know most of our neighbours and are friendly but that's about it. I hate people turning up "unannounced".

We have no front garden (Victorian semi) just a very narrow path at the front of the house and a low wall dividing it from the pavement.

We do however have a (small) back garden which gets plenty of sun.

SMIL insists on taking a dining room chair and sitting on the front "path" and resting her legs on the wall with the front door wide open saying hello to anyone who walks past.

I know there are bigger things going on right now but AIBU to really hate her doing this as it's seems a bit "common" and prefer her to use the back which is private? I know she's not hurting anyone but I hate having my front door wide open (I will be at work some of the time). I need to chill out don't I?

OP posts:
Report
NancyDonahue · 19/06/2017 18:56

I'd leave her to it. Her being the sociable type doesn't have any bearing on what people think of you. I live down south and am as introverted as they come, but I'don't say hi and walk on and not give it another thought.

Report
Guiltypleasures001 · 19/06/2017 18:56

I say get her a posher chair to sit on, plus a small side table with martinis and cocktail shaker, just ban any use of knotted hankies.

Report
NancyDonahue · 19/06/2017 18:56

*but I'd say hi

Report
GirlOnATrainToShite · 19/06/2017 18:57

I know the dining room chair irks too Grin

We have camping chairs in the garage.

OP posts:
Report
VerityHabitat · 19/06/2017 18:58

I have never seen this front garden sitting before. I love it, what an absolute scandal she will cause. Wink

Report
MrsEricBana · 19/06/2017 19:00

What Verity said Grin

Report
Gemini69 · 19/06/2017 19:01

hahaha I can see her now.. how funny.. it's exactly what my Mother would do... I agree with others.. let her get on with it...

Report
Highalert · 19/06/2017 19:02

You will be the talk of the neighbourhood with your Northen relative sitting on the front. I expect the local residents association will call a special meeting about you.

Report
Hickoryandsage · 19/06/2017 19:02

Sounds like North vs South snobbery to me. What relevance is it your MIL is from the North. We don't all sit out at the front with our whippets and flat caps you know.
Would you be as bothered if your MIL was from the South and sitting at the front of your house?

Report
DurhamDurham · 19/06/2017 19:02

Having been born 'Up North' and living here for half my life I can honestly say I've never sat in our front garden but feel that I must be missing some important part of my heritage and culture so I'll get my chair and see you later Grin

Report
Purplepotatoe · 19/06/2017 19:03

This has made me laugh a bit, I live in a similar house and opening my front door would create a lovely breeze but I'd rather me roasting than do that. No front doors open, no hanging out in front gardens, not EVER, I couldn't tell you why I feel so strongly about this, I'm not a snob honest..

Report
Purplepotatoe · 19/06/2017 19:03

*be not me

Report
SquinkiesRule · 19/06/2017 19:03

She needs a rocking chair out there. Leave her to it.
I wouldn't want my good dining chairs dragged outside.

Report
Realitea · 19/06/2017 19:04

I posted exactly the same thing a few years back! I got flamed for it.
I do think it's a bit embarrassing especially if you keep yourself to yourself but there's nothing you can do about it really.

Report
Highalert · 19/06/2017 19:04

Just make sure she has her ferret on a piece of string.

Report
Purplepotatoe · 19/06/2017 19:04

Oh and absolutely no taking inside furniture outside, no way!

Report
Truckingalong · 19/06/2017 19:04

Front garden sitting is all the rage in certain areas. Right now, in this hot weather, there will be families on 3 piece suites in the front garden all around the land!
Don't worry op, it won't reflect on you but I too would hate the door open all day. Can you come up with a story to put her off. Like, the couple opposite will think it's a signal that she's up for a session of afternoon delight?

Report
nina2b · 19/06/2017 19:04

Big hmmm time?

Report
GirlOnATrainToShite · 19/06/2017 19:05

It's not a garden though it's a path a low wall then the pavement Grin

OP posts:
Report
Guiltypleasures001 · 19/06/2017 19:05

I'm sorry I now envision a fag dangling from her mouth, and cackling ello darling to your neighbours
As she's " avin a fag"

Report
TitsalinaBumSquash · 19/06/2017 19:06

My MIL does this, she knows more about the neighbours than we do. 😂

Report
pipsqueak25 · 19/06/2017 19:06
Grin
Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Highalert · 19/06/2017 19:06

Teach her to doff her cap at the posho Southerners.

Report
CountryCaterpillar · 19/06/2017 19:06

I've thought about doing this when the kids play out. Cold drink and chair out the front in front of the shared grassy area. They're young and it's easier to watch them sat down than stood up!

But we're next to a path and I'm worried how it looks!!!

Report
GirlOnATrainToShite · 19/06/2017 19:08

OH is very Northern and I am very Sourhern - it's a running joke.

My dad is actually a Northerner too.

*Purplepotatoe" yeah I don't know why it makes me uncomfortable it just does.

OP posts:
Report
Please create an account

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