Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

because dp just looked at me like I'd grown another head...

75 replies

Whereisegg · 07/05/2013 17:39

This is really trivial but just wondered if I am alone in my thinking....

It is about to pour down here so I have just got my washing in.
Next door also have washing out, but nobody is home.
As we are missing a fence panel between our gardens til Friday, I mentioned I was considering getting theirs in for them.

They are fairly new neighbours, we don't really 'talk' but I thought this would be a nice thing to do, but dp thinks I'm crazy and should leave it.

Would it be such a terrible thing to do?!

OP posts:
Sirzy · 07/05/2013 17:40

Nice idea but I don't think it would even cross my mind and I might be a bit pissed off if a stranger let themself into my garden!

LST · 07/05/2013 17:40

I would personally love you forever

SummerRainIsADistantMemory · 07/05/2013 17:41

Totally crazy. I'd think you were a total busy body if you took in my washing.

I'm also a firm believer in leaving it out til it dries, I've been known to hang washing out in the rain.

Littleturkish · 07/05/2013 17:43

Good lord no!

ShatnersBassoon · 07/05/2013 17:44

I'd be really grateful if a neighbour did that for me. Dry washing getting rained on really makes me cross.

havingamadmoment · 07/05/2013 17:44

I would thin it a bit odd if I didnt know you tbh.

ChickensHaveNoEyebrows · 07/05/2013 17:44

Erm, I wouldn't like it tbh. The thought of my neighbour fingering my smalls

cocolepew · 07/05/2013 17:44

I think its a lovely idea.

VanitasVanitatum · 07/05/2013 17:45

My male neighbour did this for me recently. I was really grateful!

ICanTuckMyBoobsInMyPockets · 07/05/2013 17:46

It depends what it is. Of its underwear and small bits then I wouldn't. But a wash of jeans and t-shirts I definitely would.
Could you leave it in a bag by their back door maybe instead of keeping it until they get home?

FannyFifer · 07/05/2013 17:47

I would love if someone rescued my washing unless my undies were out, towels, sheets etc would be fine.

Where would you put their washing though?

5madthings · 07/05/2013 17:50

I would be immensly grateful to a neighbour who did this!

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 07/05/2013 17:50

Unless you have a cat that loves to sleep on fresh laundry, maybe take in bedding or towels, otherwise leave.

rambososcar · 07/05/2013 17:51

I'd think you were lovely. Smile

Kubalai · 07/05/2013 17:53

I would be massively grateful! Nothing upsets me more than knowing it was dry and then got wet again!!

Original poster
Whereisegg · 07/05/2013 17:53

No underwear, just school uniform and towels.
They have just pulled up now so that solves that, but I totally understand it might cross a line...

OP posts:
LastTangoInDevonshire · 07/05/2013 17:54

Good lord, you miserable load of uncharitable un-neighbourly buggers.

OF COURSE you would take down their washing if it was going to pour down. Why wouldn't you?

TSSDNCOP · 07/05/2013 17:57

My mum and her neighbours always take in each others washing.

None of them speak to them four doors down that light bonfires while washing is out and don't knock first.

Social death.

Nishky · 07/05/2013 17:57

My neighbour did it for me when we had just moved in and didn't really know them. I loved her for it. You sound like a lovely neighbour.

Original poster
Whereisegg · 07/05/2013 17:59

I am pleased I'm not totally alone in my thinking, at first it really didn't occur to me it would be 'weird'
Maybe I'm weird...

OP posts:
SummerRainIsADistantMemory · 07/05/2013 18:01

LastTango... I wouldn't do it because I'd feel really intruded on if someone did it to me.

Someone coming into my garden and manhandling my washing would make me extremely uncomfortable.

It might be different if it was someone I knew but OP says these are new neighbours who she doesn't know.

littleballerina · 07/05/2013 18:02

i would have but we live in inbred friendly area where the washing would be photographed and shown around the village.

go and knock and say that you considered it but your dh thought you were a loon. see what they say, may be a nice introduction.

JaxTellerIsAllMine · 07/05/2013 18:02

I think it is a perfectly normal thing to do. Its being a good neighbour, you arent asking for anything in return, just being helpful.

dopeysheep · 07/05/2013 18:02

I think it's a nice idea but I would have to speak to them first and see. Might think it was a bit strange otherwise.
Basic idea is lovely though.

fluffiphlox · 07/05/2013 18:03

When I was growing up, this was the done thing ( think S.Wales terraced houses). Why anyone would think it was anything other than helpful, I don't know.