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AIBU?

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Should I ask my neighbours if we can have designated times to sit in the garden?

633 replies

Guarddogdaschunds · 26/06/2026 07:19

I will preface by saying that it is possible this heatwave has affected my rational thinking. So I will bite- I am so sick of listening to my neighbours having their dinner in the garden and having to listen to their booming voices for hours on end. It has reached the stage where we feel relegated indoors, especially in the evenings.

We live in a new build in close proximity to our neighbours so can hear everything as you can imagine. They are a couple in their early 30's (I think), no kids. The man with the booming voice works from home and has taken to working from his garden throughout the day, often vaping. My kids are off school, trying to make the best of the time off and I really don't think they should have to hear the details of his teams meetings. Surely he should work inside and allow people peaceful enjoyment of their gardens? I have never worked from home, but wouldn't it be considered a GDPR breach if others can hear?

They have had friends over for BBQs the previous 2 nights and have been sitting outside chatting until around 9pm. The BBQ smell lingered for so long and of course they were all vaping and drinking alcohol. One of their friends was regaling them with tales of her dating escapades-hardly an appropriate topic for my 9 year old to have in earshot. I also don't want my kids damaging their lungs inhaling all of those disgusting vape particles. The women have also been prancing around in very skimpy bikinis. I know women are entitled to wear what they want, but come on-all the neighbours can see if they look outside their upstairs windows! I'm also concerned as yesterday, the visiting friends were there for several hours and appeared to drive themselves home- were they over the limit?

On both occasions, I have brought my kids inside, as I don't want them to hear the sordid details of their conversations. I also feel awkward that they are only a few metres away from me, so I don't want to have my dinner outside in case they listen to our conversation. Would I be unreasonable to pop over or post a note through their door requesting that we have an outdoor mealtime rota so we can all enjoy our gardens in peace-as we are entitled to?

OP posts:
KateReddy · 05/07/2026 21:47

They're sitting in the garden in their England shirts like football hooligans and drinking alcohol on a Sunday night

It’s going to be a long night for you, 😂

Growlybear83 · 05/07/2026 21:46

Your neighbours sound perfectly normal - you’re the one who should move of you’re not happy living in a community, OP.

Cloudconfusion · 05/07/2026 21:45

pointythings · 05/07/2026 21:42

How are you going to 'not tolerate' it? You need to be very careful here...

She’s going to contact their work and tell them they wore England shirts,had their mates round and ,,,shock, drank alcohol on a Sunday night and it’s ruining her kids childhood.😂

oh and they bbq’d in the hot weather and the women wore bikinis…and they have friends!

sueelleker · 05/07/2026 21:44

Guarddogdaschunds · 05/07/2026 21:08

I had to take some time away from this thread as it's quite disturbing how many people have made assumptions about me and my DH. People have insinuated that I'm some sort of evil witch who is full of spite and envy. The reality is that this is a family road and my husband and I (and other normal families on the road) have a zero tolerance policy regarding obnoxious loutish behaviour that has the potential to ruin our children's childhoods. It won't be tolerated. If they don't like it, they can move somewhere else where singletons and other party animals live. Thank you to the few people who have shown me some empathy.

All has been relatively quiet by their standards in the past week, but the same friends have now arrived with a couple of others.....They're sitting in the garden in their England shirts like football hooligans and drinking alcohol on a Sunday night 😭.

If you don't like it, you can move.

Pugdogmom · 05/07/2026 21:43

Guarddogdaschunds · 27/06/2026 15:13

We're not going to contact his employer or the ICO at this point, I'm not a vindictive person! We are just gathering evidence and starting to make a note of dates etc in case the situation escalates or if we need to contact the council about their behaviour/the noise.

Why? This sounds completely batshit! Absolutely stalking your neighbours because you don't like the fact that they are enjoying their garden in the SUMMER. And now hooligans for wearing football shirts....🤦‍♀️

pointythings · 05/07/2026 21:42

How are you going to 'not tolerate' it? You need to be very careful here...

Cloudconfusion · 05/07/2026 21:42

They're sitting in the garden in their England shirts like football hooligans and drinking alcohol on a Sunday night

the degenerates, 😂

Sidebeforeself · 05/07/2026 21:41

Another wind up surely? There’s a lot of it about at the moment

Pinkelephant66 · 05/07/2026 21:41

Alcohol… on a Sunday night!! Heathens!

Cloudconfusion · 05/07/2026 21:40

Guarddogdaschunds · 05/07/2026 21:08

I had to take some time away from this thread as it's quite disturbing how many people have made assumptions about me and my DH. People have insinuated that I'm some sort of evil witch who is full of spite and envy. The reality is that this is a family road and my husband and I (and other normal families on the road) have a zero tolerance policy regarding obnoxious loutish behaviour that has the potential to ruin our children's childhoods. It won't be tolerated. If they don't like it, they can move somewhere else where singletons and other party animals live. Thank you to the few people who have shown me some empathy.

All has been relatively quiet by their standards in the past week, but the same friends have now arrived with a couple of others.....They're sitting in the garden in their England shirts like football hooligans and drinking alcohol on a Sunday night 😭.

😂

it’s not your choice. You have no option but to tolerate it or move.

popias · 05/07/2026 21:37

they don't like it, they can move somewhere else where singletons and other party animals live

you should probably be the one to move to a place far away from anyone else as you cant cope with fairly normal neighbour things

SmashThePatriarchy · 05/07/2026 21:36

Guarddogdaschunds · 05/07/2026 21:08

I had to take some time away from this thread as it's quite disturbing how many people have made assumptions about me and my DH. People have insinuated that I'm some sort of evil witch who is full of spite and envy. The reality is that this is a family road and my husband and I (and other normal families on the road) have a zero tolerance policy regarding obnoxious loutish behaviour that has the potential to ruin our children's childhoods. It won't be tolerated. If they don't like it, they can move somewhere else where singletons and other party animals live. Thank you to the few people who have shown me some empathy.

All has been relatively quiet by their standards in the past week, but the same friends have now arrived with a couple of others.....They're sitting in the garden in their England shirts like football hooligans and drinking alcohol on a Sunday night 😭.

You are actually unhinged.

superspideysense · 05/07/2026 21:33

Tontostitis · 05/07/2026 21:21

I had a neighbour who held loud teams meetings in his garden I always joined in.

Now there’s any option!!
start playing music and getting the water sprinkler out 😂

YourHeartyFatball · 05/07/2026 21:33

It won’t be tolerated.

Good one. 🤣🤣

superspideysense · 05/07/2026 21:33

OP I do sympathise as the loud teams calls would do my head in!! I’m surprised he’s allowed to work outside - I’m not in my job due to confidentiality. But depends on the role.

you can’t do a rota of course and I think they sound a like not the best people (their use of language) so going around may make it worse.

I think the one thing I may speak to them about is the tales of sexual escapades that is in earshot of the kids. Could you ask them to be aware of the families?

unfortunately people live next to people and we can’t control what they do. But doensnt stop it being really annoying.

not sure why so many people have attached you on here though with calls of jealously. Surely most people would find it annoying in real life!!

I hope you get some sleep and they’re not up all night for the match in the garden!!!

fruitypancake · 05/07/2026 21:31

Ha ha

Jeschara · 05/07/2026 21:24

Nosy sod it should read.

Jeschara · 05/07/2026 21:23

Good for your neighbours, let them wear there England shirts and have a drink.
Anti social behaviour will not be tolerated. If you came to my door I would tell you to shove your anti social behaviour, and suggest you get therapy as you are clearly paranoid.
I hope your neibhours have a good evening and you can chew on your sour grapes.
Please get help? you are so over the top and I would feel uncomfortable living next door to you.
You have been very insulting and disrespectful to them. Out of interest did your husband go to round to them. He's a nosy side as well looking them up on LinkedIn.

Tontostitis · 05/07/2026 21:21

I had a neighbour who held loud teams meetings in his garden I always joined in.

MerryUmberHedgehog · 05/07/2026 21:18

Mow the lawn, play loud bagpipe music.

Jane143 · 05/07/2026 21:15

purpleme12 · 05/07/2026 21:13

Had to laugh at the sitting in the garden in football shirts drinking alcohol on a Sunday night like hooligans! 😆

Me too! Football is on at 1 am so they’re in for a good night!🤣

hourspassed · 05/07/2026 21:14

Brace yourself OP it's going to be a long night!

Jane143 · 05/07/2026 21:14

Guarddogdaschunds · 05/07/2026 21:08

I had to take some time away from this thread as it's quite disturbing how many people have made assumptions about me and my DH. People have insinuated that I'm some sort of evil witch who is full of spite and envy. The reality is that this is a family road and my husband and I (and other normal families on the road) have a zero tolerance policy regarding obnoxious loutish behaviour that has the potential to ruin our children's childhoods. It won't be tolerated. If they don't like it, they can move somewhere else where singletons and other party animals live. Thank you to the few people who have shown me some empathy.

All has been relatively quiet by their standards in the past week, but the same friends have now arrived with a couple of others.....They're sitting in the garden in their England shirts like football hooligans and drinking alcohol on a Sunday night 😭.

Hilarious

purpleme12 · 05/07/2026 21:13

Had to laugh at the sitting in the garden in football shirts drinking alcohol on a Sunday night like hooligans! 😆

TowerRavenSeven · 05/07/2026 21:11

Sorry YABU. You shouldn’t have bought somewhere with such close proximity. It sucks, but that’s life.