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Original poster

Or is my neighbour about my laundry...?

430 replies

laundryninja · 26/05/2017 15:14

Name changed in case she's on mumsnet

Don't know NDN well. We are quiet and (I thought!) inoffensive so no issues for the last 6 months we've lived here. There's a low fence between our gardens.

Given that I live in the west of scotland, it's a rare opportunity to hang clothes out on the line to dry, which DH and I have been doing the past few days.

Today NDN appeared at the door and asked me to "be more careful" with my laundry. I initially thought something had blown into her garden and apologised. She said no, that us hanging out "personal items" was embarrassing for her and she didn't want her young sons (who are late primary age I think) seeing things like that. After clarifying she meant bras and knickers I admit I snorted with laughter a bit and said "but don't they see YOUR pants drying indoors!?" to which she said that I clearly didn't want to help and that she'd ask her DH to come over later to speak to my DH once he's in from work!

I have not brought my laundry in and have just done another load. She's glaring from her conservatory. AIBU to ignore her? Or should I bring my offensive undies in off the line?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
Frankthefrog · 27/05/2017 18:52

My ndn in her late 60s hangs her thongs out, my boys think it's cool she has catapults, says more about my underwear!Wink

user1485778793 · 27/05/2017 18:39

You should have told her the underwear was your husbands....he'll be glad to give your husbands tips on where to buy it from Grin

I'd have got everything out my underwear draws and hung it out. Grin

Fabulousdahlink · 27/05/2017 18:37

Get hubby to answer the door in his gold hot pants and gimp mask and get him to ask her hubby in for a chat ha ha ha. Priceless. Discuss your plans for pampas grass on the front lawn and how many sets of keys he yhinks you could fit in the bowl on the table....

ipswichwitch · 27/05/2017 18:34

From my Suffolk born auntie

What's the time
Half past nine
Hang yer knickers on the line
When they're dry
Bring em in
And put them on yer bum again!

I do find it bizarre that you get people who move to a different country and can't comprehend that stuff may be done differently there Hmm

redshoeblueshoe · 27/05/2017 18:33

Has anyone nominated this for classics yet ?

EweAreHere · 27/05/2017 18:24

Lightning ... burning undies ... karma. Grin

Your DH is awesome

louisejxxx · 27/05/2017 18:18

This is hilarious Grin

BumBumPooBum · 27/05/2017 18:13

When I was growing up there was a local pervert who stole women's underwear off washing lines. So I have never hung bras and pants on the line. I think at this point I would be quite embarrassed to do so. I don't WANT my neighbours to see my underwear!

alisonddp · 27/05/2017 18:12

my beautiful cotton victorian bloomers are a hoot - they're mid calf length and completely crotchless - now that really would offend!

only just discovered these posts/strings on Mumsnet - best entertainment ever - goodbye spider solitaire - this is much more compulsive

did you give age of NDN laundryninja? not that it matters but still adds to the picture

ChrisPrattsFace · 27/05/2017 17:57

Your DH sounds amazing. He can come and defend my laundry...
Also.. your kitten is adorable.

Craigie · 27/05/2017 17:51

I would ONLY hang underwear out for the next few weeks. Maybe she'll self combust.

Iamastonished · 27/05/2017 17:35

"I don't because I don't want my neighbours seeing them!"

Really! Why? Most people wear underwear. And it isn't common to put undies on the line Hmm

happyhebe · 27/05/2017 17:34

She'd hate our neighbours as they hang out their pants with two pegs that are stretched out along the line in full view a la aliens love underpants. You should buy your NDN a copy of the book.

VerbenaGirl · 27/05/2017 17:33

She is a lunatic!

JDEE72 · 27/05/2017 17:33

Can you live stream the man to man conversation? 🍿

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 27/05/2017 17:30

I see England, I see France
I see X's underpants
Not too big, not too small
Just the size of Montreal

pollymere · 27/05/2017 17:25

I was brought up that it's common to put undies on the line (female). Men's ones seemed to be acceptable! I don't because I don't want my neighbours seeing them!

Iamastonished · 27/05/2017 17:15

What's the time
Half past nine
Hang your knickers on the line
When a copper comes along
Hurry up and put them on

from my childhood (1960s)

Original poster
laundryninja · 27/05/2017 17:09

Aww fuck

I hung some stuff out when it was sunny earlier, went to Ikea and when I came out it was pouring rain and thunder

DH informs me that my pants have been hit by lightening.

This is my Biblical Commupance, isn't it?

OP posts:
topcat2014 · 27/05/2017 16:05

I haven't RTFT, but I know the deeds to my house prohibit washing being out on a Sunday!

No-one follows it though.

SenecaFalls · 27/05/2017 15:54

Speaking of underwear ditties, this one was popular in the US when I was a child (may still be for all I know).

I see London, I see France
I see xxxx's underpants
Not too big, not too small
But you could hang them on a wall

FaintlyHopeful · 27/05/2017 15:31

These are what you need

Or is my neighbour about my laundry...?
SenecaFalls · 27/05/2017 15:23

My mother was also a post-WWII bride (married summer of 1945), and my experience is similar to Across's. Also my mother worked outside the home (and yet was expected to take care of the house and all childcare arrangements so it was as though she had two full-time jobs), and she wasn't very interested in the domestic side of life. Anything that saved time was a plus. Laundry was often done at night when she got home from work. She didn't cook much of anything "from scratch."

Also, labor-saving devices are inextricably linked to the rise of the women's movement in the US; my mother wanted me to be educated above all else (even to the point of sending me from a small town in the state of Georgia to university in Scotland). The domestic arts were way down on her list of priorities, and remained so for her entire life.

So perhaps there is a now embedded cultural prejudice against seeing laundry flapping in the breeze in the US. I do think that many people see it as old fashioned and even unsightly, but there may be deeper reasons that drying outdoors has gone the way of the washboard for many in the US.

DragonNoodleCake · 27/05/2017 15:22

Just saw the update you made about the convo with your DH - he's brilliant and you NDNs are nuts

DragonNoodleCake · 27/05/2017 15:17

Hahaha what a nutter YANBU.

Can you imagine how that convo will go..

NDNDH - hi, how you doing
DH - not bad mate
NDNDH - so the missus has lost it man, gone and got her knickers in a twist about your DW hanging out her undies could you be a good chap and ask her not to do it, it will make my life easier

Hahaha not!!