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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU people staring into my house

190 replies

Wheredidallmytreesgo · 03/06/2020 18:16

Having the front garden wall redone. Living room at the front of the house, exposed. Fairly sizeable driveway but still, several times a day (and worse, evening when I’ve got my slobs on and stuffing my face with snacks 😁), people stop outside my house, gawping and pointing at the work being done and shamelessly staring into my living room/at me. For actually what’s a very uncomfortable amount of time.

AIBU? I feel like I’m in a zoo. Don’t people realise that this is quite rude?!

Any ideas of how to respond? I usually duck and hide but this evening tried just hard staring at one couple, as they were really pointing and discussing the house/looking straight at me. Didn’t seem to do anything though. Maybe walking around naked should scare them off.

PS, we don’t have any curtains because it’s a great window with a window seat, and there was/will be a nice high wall so this problem won’t last forever. But just to say we can’t draw the curtains 😭

OP posts:
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Original poster
Wheredidallmytreesgo · 03/06/2020 19:32

I could do one of
Those living portraits in the window? Perhaps
This?

OP posts:
RiverRush · 03/06/2020 19:32

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request

Jaichangecentfoisdenom · 03/06/2020 19:32

Put up temporary curtains or stop complaining. I will ALWAYS look inside the front windows of a lit, uncurtained house, it's natural curiosity. You can't complain if you won't do something about it. And look, Laundrywoman has an excellent solution!

Lardlizard · 03/06/2020 19:29

Open the window and ask do you want a photo 🤣

Lardlizard · 03/06/2020 19:28

Maybe they are getting decorating ideas!

Jaxhog · 03/06/2020 19:26

YANBU. We used to have people (women) walk up to our front window and look in. Of course it's rude. But it's also human nature to be curious. I spoke to the 2 women who used to do it to us and asked them not to. They stopped.

If you can't catch them at it and ask them not to, then ignore them. It's only until you have your wall up.

Original poster
Wheredidallmytreesgo · 03/06/2020 19:24

does your plant eat people?

HA!!!!!!

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 03/06/2020 19:23

I bet they aren't looking at you.

I always look at people's houses and gardens when I'm walking. Mostly, I'm admiring their flowers and trees or looking at the architecture. I never look directly in somebody's windows.

Most people look at houses and gardens, they draw the eye.

Coffeecak3 · 03/06/2020 19:22

@1forsorrow does your plant eat people?

Original poster
Wheredidallmytreesgo · 03/06/2020 19:21

@TeddyIsaHe

In my worse moments I have been very tempted to shriek out the window

OP posts:
TeddyIsaHe · 03/06/2020 19:19

@Wheredidallmytreesgo I don’t know but this would drive me potty.

I’d run out the front door shrieking at them every time I think!

Louise91417 · 03/06/2020 19:17

I have this problem because of how my house is positioned..i wave or occassionally give the fingers (or 1) depending on moodWink

1forsorrow · 03/06/2020 19:17

I've got a giant plant, no one can see past it. We've had it for 40 years and it is a monster but part of the family.

Original poster
Wheredidallmytreesgo · 03/06/2020 19:15

@BMW6

That really, REALLY made me laugh. Have quite a creepy Venetian mask that might do the trick PMSL

@TeddyIsaHe

Yes, yes they do! We are in a subhurb with a lot of people
Walking past. Maybe you are in TOO busy an area?

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Original poster
Wheredidallmytreesgo · 03/06/2020 19:14

Actually the sun shines round the back of the house so not at all at the front. DH went out and took a photo to show me, tbf you can’t see loads inside BUT I think it’s because it’s grey and miserable. I reckon when it’s bright and sunny, without sun shining directly in, they can see more.

I don’t know if I can comment on nets/voiles/curtains anymore without having an internal explosion BUT we do not have a curtain pole up. Because we do not want curtains. Becuase we do not need curtains when we have a wall. So we do not have anything to put curtains on. And we are not putting up curtain pole on nice newly painted wall for a matter of weeks. Eye twitching a bit now

OP posts:
BMW6 · 03/06/2020 19:14

OP, get the most horrific halloween mask that you can find. keep it close by. Anyone who you find looking in at you, turn away and pop it on, then stand up and approach the window in a menacing fashion.

TeddyIsaHe · 03/06/2020 19:13

Do people really do this? I’m also having my front garden done and apart from someone having a glance as they walk past no one stands and gawps in. And I live in a city centre so it’s busy!

Dylaninthemovies1 · 03/06/2020 19:09

I’d find something to cover it up if it annoys you. While we are waiting for our shutters being fitted we leave the curtains open during the day and close in the evening. A lot of people pass and can’t help but glance in when I’m playing with my son. I usually smile and give them a big wave, and they quickly look away!

FTMF30 · 03/06/2020 19:09

Have you looked into your living from outside where the passers by are staring? Chances are, with window reflection and sun glare, they can't see you as clearly as you think.
If they can, I'd stick some temporary net curtains up, even if they do look naff.

guanciale · 03/06/2020 19:07

put a cctv and "you are being recorded" sign?

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 03/06/2020 19:07

Walk to the front window and ask if you can help them.

ChoosingHim · 03/06/2020 19:07

*gawping in

SoloMummy · 03/06/2020 19:07

@Wheredidallmytreesgo

Having the front garden wall redone. Living room at the front of the house, exposed. Fairly sizeable driveway but still, several times a day (and worse, evening when I’ve got my slobs on and stuffing my face with snacks 😁), people stop outside my house, gawping and pointing at the work being done and shamelessly staring into my living room/at me. For actually what’s a very uncomfortable amount of time.

AIBU? I feel like I’m in a zoo. Don’t people realise that this is quite rude?!

Any ideas of how to respond? I usually duck and hide but this evening tried just hard staring at one couple, as they were really pointing and discussing the house/looking straight at me. Didn’t seem to do anything though. Maybe walking around naked should scare them off.

PS, we don’t have any curtains because it’s a great window with a window seat, and there was/will be a nice high wall so this problem won’t last forever. But just to say we can’t draw the curtains 😭

Put up a cheap voile until the wall is redone.
Original poster
Wheredidallmytreesgo · 03/06/2020 19:06

@Batshittery

Yes! I want to know WHY someone was banging on that person’s window?!

@RedRed9

No, I didn’t mind not having curtains because we aren’t overlooked and when the wall was up no one could see in!! Now I mind

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