Last night neighbours across the road from us (very quiet little street) were working on their classic motorbike and revving it really loudly. Obviously windows open due to weather and this is about 20yards from our bedroom windows. We live in a bungalow and it was so loud you couldn't hear the tv at normal volume etc. It was past 7pm and we have 2 dc's. At about 7.30ish DH went out and asked how long they would be as it was keeping DS1 awake (2 1/2), they said sorry mate, we'll stop. Anyway they carried on for another half hour so at 8 I went out and politely asked them to stop revving the motor as Ds1 was upset and tired and Ds2 (5 weeks) was screaming by now. they said sure but lo and behold within 10 mins started again. Got to about 9pm and I lost it.
I stormed out the house (in my nightie I must add!) and shouted that if they didn't stop revving the f engine I would wrap it round their f necks!
They looked very shocked and stopped, I stormed back into house.
Now I don't think I was BU in asking them to be quieter late in the evening in a family area. However I never, ever swear!! DH was really shocked as he has never heard me shout or swear - I just lost it and for that I think I was BU. In my defence I have a 5 week old baby and DS1 was really upset so I was very mad but still..... should I apologise? They are our neighbours and though we don't really have a relationship with them I don't want animosity??
AIBU?
Oh dear think was a bit unreasonable but now not sure if I should apologise??
YellowCanary1 · 10/07/2013 20:42
They were being rude by repeatedly lying to you. So although your swearing was out of character I think your rudeness needs to be balanced with theirs. So don't sweat it. 
But a cheery gentle apology would probably clear the air.
No, I wouldn't apologise. They were asked nicely, and said they would stop. It's a crap noise to listen to, at any time. Maybe they will be a bit more considerate next time. I'd behave normally towards them, i.e. say hello, or wave when you next see them. If you apologise, they may just see you as a pushover. Keep the wine for you and your husband. 
I think you should apologise for the sake of good neighbourly relations and explain about having a new baby and lack of sleep. Otherwise you could end up feeling awkward any time you see them.
But YWBU for objecting to them making a noise in the evening. It was only 9pm when you finally lost it with them, so not late. 7-9pm is not "late in the evening".
Are you a friend of the woman who didn't like the neighbours mowing last night?! I think people who are so sensitive about noise disturbing their kids in the early evening need to put their kids to bed later. If you put your kids to bed in the early evening then surely you need to either get them used to sleeping with background noise or be willing to do things yourself to cut down the distractions, such as shutting windows, rather than expecting your neighbours to be quiet.
In a few weeks, it will be raining and cool and everything will be restored to normal.
7-9pm is not "late in the evening.
^^ This.
As I said on the law mowing thread, many people don't get home until 7pm or later, so it's a bit much to think that there should be silence at 7pm just because you've got PFBs.
Having said that, they shouldn't have apologised and said they were going to stop if they had no intention of doing so. You certainly don't need to apologise on those grounds alone.
If it's any consolation to those who think they're having a bad time with evening noise, farmers are currently cutting the fields behind our house and there's loads of machinery roaring and buzzing up and down with spotlights on!
OH went out 30 mins ago to speak to some of them over the wall at the bottom of the garden...
...To see if they want a drink, as they've been at it non-stop since about 7pm. Who would have thought cutting and collecting grass was so difficult.
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