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AIBU?

To not want the neighbour inviting herself in

44 replies

MooseHoose · 08/04/2019 22:39

Fairly early this morning, my neighbour knocked on my door and without any chitchat asked if she could come in. She’s never been inside and we’ve lived here several years. We don’t really know her or her family that well. I must have looked confused as she then said ‘I want to see your dog’ and kept trying to look past me into the hall.

We brought home a puppy yesterday and so she is still very much settling in and rather nervous. None of our family or friends have seen her yet. Also, I work from home and was right in the middle of doing stuff when the doorbell went plus I’m following a puppy schedule so she’d just had a play and was having a sleep. I told the neighbour now wasn’t a good time as I was really busy and the puppy was sleeping but I’d let her know when she could visit.

She looked really put out and now I’m wondering if I was unreasonable to not let her in. I just don’t think turning up and inviting yourself in is very polite. Also, I don’t want her telling her three children that they can just knock and ask to play with the puppy either. But then she’s my neighbour...

If she calls again and I’m busy, should I just let her in?

OP posts:
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PanamaPattie · 08/04/2019 22:42

No. You'll just invite trouble.

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Hisnamesblaine · 08/04/2019 22:45

Don't answer the door!

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BucketfannywhoreIstinksofshit · 08/04/2019 22:47

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MooseHoose · 08/04/2019 22:48

I don’t have a video doorbell so if I can see it’s her, she can see I’m in! If I open it and just say that I’m working so not now , that won’t be rude will it?

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gamerchick · 08/04/2019 22:50

Why are you worried about seeming rude, she certainly isnt?

Anyone who can knock on someone's door and invite themselves in has probably all sorts of wtf tricks up their sleeve. Do you really want to see them?

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MooseHoose · 08/04/2019 22:55

Well, I wasn’t sure if others would even think she was being rude because ome people don’t mind if people just turn up - they just let them in. I genuinely wondered if it was me being rude and unreasonable, or her. I’m glad others agree though. And no, I’m not remotely interested in seeing her, especially not when I’m trying to get work done and look after a puppy. I don’t want people turning up unannounced!

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Letterkennie · 08/04/2019 22:57

Puppy pictures or it didn’t happen.

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StoneofDestiny · 08/04/2019 23:00

"Sorry, not a good time I'm working and have deadlines to meet"
"..................am on a conference call"
"Not a good time, I am on the phone"
"Not a good time, I've got a viral infection"
"You've just woke me up........"

Etc Etc - so many ways to avoid a PITA

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BucketfannywhoreIstinksofshit · 08/04/2019 23:01

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Isitweekendyet · 08/04/2019 23:06

@letterkennie

What are you struggling to believe and why would the OP post outing pictures of her new dog?

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Isitweekendyet · 08/04/2019 23:07

She sounds really entitled OP!

Ignore, ignore, ignore! Next time she knocks on the door, don't answer. Hopefully she'll soon get the message!

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BucketfannywhoreIstinksofshit · 08/04/2019 23:09

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TheInvestigator · 08/04/2019 23:10

I'm stuck at the part where you said you work from home but you answered the door?

I work from home. I don't answer the door (unless it's the postman or delivery that I know is for me). I don't care if someone sees me look and walk away. I'm working so I don't take "house calls".

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stiffstink · 08/04/2019 23:10

Sometimes I sit on my sofa and stare at people who are knocking on my front door if I don’t know them.

It’s not a summons.

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greenlynx · 08/04/2019 23:11

Why should she see your dog?
It’s a strange request.

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BucketfannywhoreIstinksofshit · 08/04/2019 23:12

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Cherrysoup · 08/04/2019 23:14

Do you normally have your phone on you? Pretend to be on a call, open door a crack, shake your head at her, don’t speak or ‘tell’ the ‘person’ you’re on the phone to that the neighbour is knocking, can’t imagine what she wants etc... If she wants to stroke puppies, she can volunteer down the local shelter. Cheeky bitch.

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KaterinaPetrova · 08/04/2019 23:16

I always answer the door to a knock, however, if it's someone I don't want to invite in or speak to I take the house phone with me and answer the door with the phone held up and the mouthpiece covered indicating I'm on a call.

"So sorry, I'm on an important call, no time to chat. See you later"

It is rude to knock on someone's door who you don't really socialise with to get them to show your kids their new puppy.

Don't entertain her OP or the kids will be round wanting to play with the puppy whenever they can.

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junebirthdaygirl · 08/04/2019 23:17

Well seeing as she lives there for years and has never done this before l presume she was just suffering from over excitement at the new puppy. Maybe she heard him bark and couldn't wait to see him. So cut her some slack as she has previously been fine.
Maybe one day you may need her so keep a civilised relationship. One episode hardly turns her into the neighbour from hell.

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mummmy2017 · 08/04/2019 23:17

Tell her next time, that while your willing to let her see the puppy when out walking, you work from home, so can't do coffee or puppy visits....
Then say goodbye and close the door

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BreconBeBuggered · 08/04/2019 23:22

Does she realise you're working, or does she just have an impression of you being in the house? Perhaps she thought a new pup would be a good opportunity to make friends. Obviously that doesn't work for you, but it's not the worst thing she could do. It doesn't seem all that strange to me.

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TomorrowsDiet · 08/04/2019 23:24

Be “busy” on the phone if she rings the bell again. It’s really strange that she’s expect to be welcomed in!!

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Cherrysoup · 08/04/2019 23:24

@BreconBeBuggered did you not like Brecon? I had a whale of a time when I lived there!

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RSAcre · 08/04/2019 23:29

If she calls again and I’m busy, should I just let her in?

No, @MooseHoose, never let her barge into your domain, you will be creating a precedent!

OK, I will calm down 'cos neighbour may not know that you work from home. But you are going to have to explain that to her. Otherwise, she will feel she can invite herself round anytime.

Put it this way:
if your work was in an office with a Proper Boss And Everything - would neighbour rock up there asking to come in?
No she fucking wouldn't. It wouldn't occur to her & she wouldn't dare. She would respect the boundary of workspace.
And that is precisely the level of respect you need her to accord your home office.

Also, you don't need her accessing your puppy & teaching it cheeky fuckery.

Rant over. Maybe.

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TooBusyHavingFun · 08/04/2019 23:32

I never answer my door unless I'm expecting someone or a delivery.

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