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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to have asked my neighbour to move her trampoline?

67 replies

DaffodilsAndScillas · 12/04/2011 12:18

This all happened a little while ago and although I was a bit upset about it, I was pretty confident that I wasn't BU. But last night I read the thread on here about trampolines, and it made me wonder whether my expectations are out of kilter with everyone else's...so....

My next door neighbour has a large trampoline for her DS, which was sited on the opposite side of her garden to ours. It's a bit noisy, yes, but it hasn't ever bothered me; I like hearing her DS enjoying himself. Then they moved the trampoline so that it was up against our fence. The fence on that side is our responsibility, and it is bowed due to the pressure of her shrubs and trees against it (I have asked her to prune them back but she didn't do so enough to stop the bowing). There's no guard on the trampoline, so I was a bit concerned that someone was going to bounce off it onto the fence, and saw the fence shaking a few times. Her DS was leaning on the fence too, carrying out shouted conversations with the boy on the other side of us (ie across the garden). The noise when he and friends were on there was suddenly very very intrusive; it sounded like they were actually in my garden, and things were getting dropped over the fence onto my pond and plants.

I decided to ask my neighbour if she could move it back to the other side of the garden (her neighbour on that side is a housebound lady who doesn't use her garden). My relationship with my neighbour (call her X) has been really good, bordering on friendship, although I've always felt it was pretty one sided (hence I say 'bordering on'). X is an 'asker' - she's comfortable asking for favours that I wouldn't dream of doing - and I've felt bad saying no to things she's asked me in the past, even when I've thought she was being a bit cheeky; driving her on a hundred mile round trip in rush hour to collect something she'd got on freecycle (she did offer the petrol money Grin), or borrowing my camera to take out. So because she's an asker, I thought she wouldn't mind my asking her to move the trampoline back. Next time X came round to borrow something, I said
"While you're here..... could you possibly move the trampoline back to the other side of the garden?". She asked why, and I explained about the fence, and added
"Also, it's really noisy". I also asked if there was any reason she'd moved it in the first place, and she said no, her DS had done so. All fine, I thought.

Five days later it was the weekend and she hadn't moved it. Saturday afternoon sitting in my garden, her DS and his friend on it making loads of noise. X was there along with her bloke and his friend, so I went round. Her bloke answered the door and I said
"Hiya, I wondered if you'd mind moving the trampoline over the other side of the garden - I did ask X about it earlier in the week and she said it was fine". X was in the kitchen and then said
"Yes I said I would Daffodils but I haven't had time" in a really narky tone. I said
"Well could you do it now?" (thinking that there were three adults there and two boys, so it would only take a minute) to which she replied
"I'm busy Daffodils - I'll do it when I'm ready" in a really narky tone. I walked away, as I did so saying
"It sounds like they're in my fucking garden, X"

I was really pissed off at the way she spoke to me. I feel like I've done a lot for her in the past; I used to have her DS round here (he's a fair bit older than my DD) on a regular basis when she wasn't back in time to meet his taxi, and it's still not unusual for her to ring me at home time and ask if I can go and check him. I've run errands for her, listened to her endlessly talking about her relationship woes, and for the last year and a half, they've had free use of my internet after I gave her my router password because she said she couldn't afford internet access and her DS needed it for school etc. She's never offered a contribution or gift, but her DS has come round several times to tell me if he can't access it! Grin

I came back round and tbh thought 'fuck you - all this and you won't even do one thing I ask of you without giving me loads of attitude; that's the last favour I do for you!' So I changed my internet password.

X moved the trampoline, and then posted a note through the door saying 'Perhaps if you speak to people with respect, you will gain the respect you deserve. Love, light and blessings, X', which made me hoot with astonishment, since I felt that it was her who had spoken with utter disrespect. Since then, she has pointedly ignored me, and when I've said hello she has grunted in response. I thought this was a bit childish - we still have to be neighbours after all. It has bothered me, as I don't like having bad feeling with people, and I'd wondered how I could have handled it better. I've been telling myself though, that this is her issue, and I won't be dragged into some feud.

But then reading the thread about trampolines, people seemed outraged that anyone could even consider asking someone to move their trampoline. So was I being unreasonable to ask?

OP posts:
Oakmaiden · 12/04/2011 12:47

I actually think you were a bit unreasonable.

Not so much asking if she could move it back, but popping over a few days later to "remind" her, and demanding that she "do it now". You would have got a rude response from me too... She didn't HAVE to move it back at all, and really you should have let her do so in her own time. Maybe a gentle reminder if she hadnt done it in a couple of weeks, but not an instruction to do it right away!

GwendolineMaryLacey · 12/04/2011 12:48

Internet access is not a small thing! The implications of letting others use it unsupervised is huge!

Goblinchild · 12/04/2011 12:49

Try and put a bit of metaphorical distance between you now, politely of course.
Stop running errands is a good place to start. She lacks respect and appreciation for you.

DaffodilsAndScillas · 12/04/2011 12:52

TFM yes, I can see that the latter comment was rude; as a general rule, if someone is really rude to me then I will be rude right back, and I was Shock Angry at the way she spoke to me. She swears like a trouper so the use of the word fuck wasn't particularly shocking, I don't think.

The former comment didn't feel rude to me - I said it pleasantly and with a smile, and I said it because there were lots of people there to move it, and because she'd previously said that she didn't mind moving it back.

Was this rude?

OP posts:
GwendolineMaryLacey · 12/04/2011 12:53

I used to have her DS round here (he's a fair bit older than my DD) on a regular basis when she wasn't back in time to meet his taxi

it's still not unusual for her to ring me at home time and ask if I can go and check him.

I've run errands for her

for the last year and a half, they've had free use of my internet

driving her on a hundred mile round trip in rush hour to collect something she'd got on freecycle

borrowing my camera to take out

You still think that assuming that something small could be done within 5 days is rude Oakmaiden?

KatishaVinganegg · 12/04/2011 12:54

The problem now is that she will feel like the hard-done by one, and will no doubt be enjoying her umbrage.

Ignore. Unless it turns actively nasty.

tomhardyismydh · 12/04/2011 12:55

you where a bit rude. bnu to have asked but could have been a bit more polite about it, however. I would have quite happily reacted as you did as I do belive she is taking the piss and needs to be told....satisfying...yes, but does not make it right Grin.

DaffodilsAndScillas · 12/04/2011 12:56

Oakmaiden maybe you're right. Her DS is quite noisy (the drum kit mainly) and it doesn't usually bother me - that's what you get in a terraced house. But this was ruining my afternoon, and it seemed such a simple thing to move the thing 15ft.

OP posts:
animula · 12/04/2011 12:58

Daffodils - Was it rude? Well, context is all. I think you and she have some blurred boundaries. Given she's borrowed all sorts, etc., then you were probably legitimate in assuming some sort of familiarity/intimacy to ask something that less intimate people might not, and in a way less familiar people can't. But on the other hand, you then are open to the repsonse you received from her.

I think your response tells me you'd like a bit more distance - both of you - she was clearly narked at you asking - you were clearly narked at her response. For what it's worth, I'd be narked too.

Right, that's my purse emptied of small change. Except for "I agree with Goblinchild", and "Hope you have a lovely Easter".

Onetoomanycornettos · 12/04/2011 12:58

I think you are unreasonable because you expected her to do something which was in fact a favour to you. It is her garden and she can place things where she likes. If she had posted that some neighbour was pestering her to move her trampoline, then everyone would have said she was being entirely reasonable to tell them to bugger off. She was nice about it, she said she would move it, you then came and asked again and asked her to do it now in front of others (so a bit humiliating for her).

I understand why you feel she owes you one, you have definitely let her take advantage in the past, and even just for legal reasons, don't let her use your password for internet usage in case he's downloading god knows what!

So, I agree you need firmer boundaries and to say 'no' when things aren't convenient, but for the specific situation of making people move stuff in their own gardens, I think you are being unreasonable.

KatieWatie · 12/04/2011 12:58

YWNBU up to the "could you do it now?" question. That would have severely hacked me off (although in truth I'd have moved it the instant you asked anyway).

Has there been any discussion about the internet access? She'd be mad to have that particular conversation with you whilst simultaneously snubbing you in the street, but from the sounds of it it's something she probably wouldn't bat an eyelid about doing anyway...

KatishaVinganegg · 12/04/2011 12:58

What about a note, in which you say "I'm sorry the business with the trampoline got out of hand, and I'm sorry if you felt I was being unreasonable about it."

Leave it at that, swallowing your pride to a certain extent. Maybe that will quash the umbrage-taking and ignoring. And if it doesn't then you are definitely the better person!

HOwever, do not reinstate internet usage - very dodgy. And don't be takem for quite such a ride by her in the future. I think relations will definitely cool from now on. No bad thing.

DaffodilsAndScillas · 12/04/2011 12:59

To clarify...

Driving her on a hundred mile round trip in rush hour to collect something she'd got on freecycle and lending her my camera to take out were things she asked me to do, but that I very apologetically said no to, and felt guilty about refusing. I took this as an indicator that she is an 'asker' - someone who doesn't have a problem asking people directly for things she wants.

OP posts:
PiousPrat · 12/04/2011 13:00

Dilemmas like this are why I am umming and ahhing about accepting the kind offer of a trampoline from a friend for when we move up to DP's this summer. My neighbour atm has a trampoline and while the noise can be a bit annoying, I suck it up, not least because my own kids sometimes go round and play on it as well. What does piss me off is the neighbour's kids bouncing on it to see people walking passed then shrieking at them, or using it to see into my living room and holler to get my attention. Especially as once I have dragged my lazy weary arse off the sofa, they only say 'Hi'.

Obviously I hope that my own kids would be more considerate when using the trampoline at DP's but I am thinking about going and asking his neighbours if they would mind first before we agree to it.

God who knew trampolines could cause such contention?

BendyBob · 12/04/2011 13:00

I love the note though. 'Love, light and blessings, X' How passive/aggressive is that?! Excellent Grin

I can see trampoline issues can become a huge bone of contention. We have one as do many children where we live. No complaints so far. I guess it's give and take and as you say she's the taker.

animula · 12/04/2011 13:00

They're the new leylandii!!

SoupDragon · 12/04/2011 13:04

Which bit was rude?? You really need to ask?

"Well, could you do it now"

followed by the childishly petulant "It sounds like they're in my fucking garden, X"

DaffodilsAndScillas · 12/04/2011 13:10

Thanks animula Grin

Katie "That would have severely hacked me off (although in truth I'd have moved it the instant you asked anyway)." I think that's the point for me - I would have moved it as soon as she asked if it were the other way round. I don't let my DD make loads of noise in the garden, as I don't think it's fair in a terrace, similarly I call the dog in as soon as she barks at anything. I wouldn't want DD doing something that made our neighbours uncomfortable, and if it were something as easy as moving the trampoline back to where it had been positioned for a year without upsetting anyone, then it wouldn't occur to me not to do so immediately. I guess I would have been hacked off too at being asked to do it immediately, but mainly I'd feel embarrassed at having to be asked again.

I think I'll just continue as is - she's on holiday this week thankfully, but I'll say a polite hello and not get any more involved with her than that. If she wants to be petty and ignore me then she can. And no more favours!

OP posts:
clam · 12/04/2011 13:12

OK, so relations are now frosty.
Who's the biggest loser? Her, I would say. Be prepared for a thawing on her part the next time she wants you to check on her DS...

DaffodilsAndScillas · 12/04/2011 13:17

Bendybob it would have been more effectively passive-aggressive if she hadn't then sulkily grunted at me whenever I acknowledged her! Grin

Pious I think trampolines are a nightmare, tbh - they erase the sense of privacy you get in your own garden if you've suddenly got screaming kids looking straight down at you. They're really popular though, and people have a right to have them if they want one, so the trampoline wasn't the issue in itself, just that it was totally bearable when it was on one side of the garden, and totally unbearable on the other.

Soup as I said above, the latter comment was rude in response to her rudeness, the former comment I didn't consider to be rude under the circs I described. So yes, I did need to ask.. Hmm

OP posts:
DaffodilsAndScillas · 12/04/2011 13:18

She can freeze herself right back up again clam - I won't be available. Grin

OP posts:
Again10 · 12/04/2011 13:34

YANBU

5 days is ages.

Some people on here are very easily offended if they think you were rude.

StewieGriffinsMom · 12/04/2011 13:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 12/04/2011 13:35

I'm glad you refused the 100 mile round trip :)

SparklyCloud · 12/04/2011 13:45

You were not being U.
I gave our trampoline away last yr, but when we had it, if the neighbours had asked for it to be moved i would have done without thought. Can't see her problem at all, plus you are, and have been, a great neighbour!
Where is her give and take, she sounds like a selfish person.