Letting children chalk public pavement

It’s harmless fun. Sounds a ridiculous over reaction from neighbour, however, are the children being annoying otherwise? Screaming/shouting/entering others gardens. Etc? Could explain it if they’ve had enough…
or are they trying to sell their house? Had viewings booked and were worried about it looking untidy?

if not then yes they are just being really petty.

This is a bit rude, isn't it, if we're talking about respect?

I've also been intrigued by how you see it as 'disrespectful' and would genuinely like to understand your perspective. Not to tear it down, but to understand. If you're able to articulate why you feel like that it, and how it constitutes disrespect, I would be very grateful if you could explain.

"Having to walk through a load of chalk"

🤣 🤣 🤣

We did that as kids, but we got told off by mum

Sounds confusing for you as a child 😔

"Yes, absolutely chalk on the floor".

"Absolutely not, don't possibly chalk on the floor."

There is no point me even trying to explain as we clearly have been raised very differently.

Well no one ‘respects’ the pavement putside
my house when dogs want to poo there. I’d have kids chalk any day!!

your neighbour is a miserable, joyless tosser. Like 14% of the people who voted YABU or gave you advice about how your children could behave differently so as not to upset the neighbours. Miserable bastards. I’m sad you’ve ever questioned yourself! What a sad little life they must have.

Neigbhour is being a sour faced spoilsport. I say this as someone who isn't at all tolerant of kids being a nuisance in public. What the kids did wasn't wrong at all.

@Moro93 that's evil.
While I don't think the average garden is suitable for big heavy footballs. Footballs can easily be £20-30.

There really are some miserable people in this world…

The kids will remember. When I was a child my cousins and I accidentally kicked a ball into a neighbours garden (first time it had happened, we’d just moved to the street), nowhere near the house or anything. We knocked her door and asked if we could get it and she pushed past us to get the ball, took it into the house and came back out with it deflated after stabbing it with a knife. She was a miserable old b***d. She used to sit at her window and sneer if we were playing outside and loudly complain about it to the other neighbours, everyone in the street disliked her.

I think some people just become bitter and hate children.

OP your neighbours are miserable gits. The dark evenings are coming in and soon enough the children won’t be able to go outside. Now those neighbours have shown you what they are really like

@Bellaboo01 you know your kids walk past, through, among, round, past, with loads of other kids every day at school? Why don’t you want them passing some kids playing in the street?

As for you not wanting your dog to walk past some playing kids, my eyes could easily roll out of my head. Do you check with every person you walk past if they’re happy with your dog? Nope.

Elderly parents I can just about understand. But I’m sure an “excuse me” would sort the situation out nicely.

Not sure about the OPs but my kids have these amazing things called legs which mean if they are on the pavement doing something they can move if a person comes towards them. Same as if they are skipping, walking or on their scooter.

A load of chalk? It's some sticks of chalk which have been used on the floor, not like they're daubing it on people's shoes. By the time you've walked a few more paces it will have come off your shoes again. Because it's chalk, not tar and feathers.

Kids can’t win can they? Criticised for being In Their rooms playing games, criticised for doing something quiet and quite wholesome chalking outside. Criticised for riding bikes/ ball games etc. what are they supposed to do?

chalking is a harmless activity that literally disappears after it rains. For a moment on a sunny day, it should bring a smile to the face of people rather than complaining that someone might be moderately inconvenienced for 2 seconds to walk around them.

Assuming your dog pees in the street, it’s ok for others to walk through that?

I've asked exactly this question too. No one has quite answered it.

I wouldnt want my dog, kids, elderly parents having to walk through a load of chalk and kids, i presume who are in the street blocking where people are walking.
Oh good God.
Do you really think 5-year-old kids are going to link arms and make a human blockade when they see your kids or parents or dog coming, and shout, 'No pasarán'?
The kids on my street scatter and stand against the wall when people want to walk past. Or occasionally I have to say, 'Scuse me' or 'Coming through,' if they're really engrossed. It's not particularly hard.

Also, what about the people that are just simply walking and dont really want to navigate kids 'chalking' on the streets. I wouldnt want my dog, kids, elderly parents having to walk through a load of chalk and kids, i presume who are in the street blocking where people are walking.

the kids near me have drawn loads of shapes and pictures in coloured chalks on the pavement and astonishingly even though I walk over them every day I've managed to navigate this without the chalk having any impact on me whatsoever apart from making me smile

He ignored a child asking him a question and washed off the chalk in front of them.
I agree the phrase 'miserable cunt' is the right one.

Respect? What an odd choice of word. I like to think I’m a respectful and considerate and kind person. But I cannot for the life of me work out what is specifically disrespectful about chalking on the pavement.

Bloody hell some people are so miserable. Who gives a toss if there is chalk outside your house for a few hours till the rain inevitably arrives.

How do you know who likes it or not though?

Just don't let them 'chalk' outside on a public street (unless they are the next Banksy)! Simple and also considerate.

Also, what about the people that are just simply walking and dont really want to navigate kids 'chalking' on the streets. I wouldnt want my dog, kids, elderly parents having to walk through a load of chalk and kids, i presume who are in the street blocking where people are walking.

Surely there is something they can do which is artistic but, doesnt involve 'chalking' outside of your property!?

There’s always one misery guts.

They probably are the type to stomp on sandcastles too.

Not everyone has a driveway