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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take neighbours washing down

170 replies

FrussoHathor · 27/07/2013 15:02

Just took my washing in as clouds looked threatening. Got mine in and the heavens opened.

Neighbours have washing out. And gone out for day.

I have access to their garden (fire escape route) so I took their washing down, into one of my tubs, and pinned a large bag over the top and left by their door.

Is this acceptable? It is tipping it down out there now.

Would you be annoyed if it was your washing? We're not really on speaking terms. Confused

OP posts:
Sirzy · 27/07/2013 15:03

Personally I would be grateful if my neighbours did that but we get on well.

Maggietess · 27/07/2013 15:05

Sounds very kind of you to me!

OddBoots · 27/07/2013 15:05

It's already wet now, I'd leave it.

chocoluvva · 27/07/2013 15:06

What a lovely thing to do. The house next door to me is up for rent - would you be interested?

OddBoots · 27/07/2013 15:06

Oh, I see you've already done it, sorry, I didn't read right, if you got in before the downpour then I'd be very grateful in their shoes.

LazyMonkeyButler · 27/07/2013 15:09

If my neighbours did this then I'd be happy - but then we get on well & I would have no problem with them being in my garden whilst I was out.

However, if my previous neighbour had done the same - horrible man who never spoke unless it was to complain about something or other (always minor), and liked to stand in his bedroom window with binoculars watching my DC "getting up to no good" (i.e. playing) then no. No, I would have been pissed off that he was sticking his nose in my business again.

So hard to judge what they'll think really!

RoadToTuapeka · 27/07/2013 15:09

I think that sounds kind! Did you leave a note? They might get home and be a bit puzzled but hopefully grateful. If no note (or unless you pop over when you see them) they might be slightly anxious about who was in their garden though.

SuperiorCat · 27/07/2013 15:12

You sound lovely OP. But not sure I would want someone touching my knickers.

AnnabelleLee · 27/07/2013 15:13

I would have been happy in my last house where I knew all my neighbours, I'd be a bit weirded out in my newer house where I don't.
I think I'd be being unreasonable as its the same gesture with the same intent, but I wouldn't be very happy in the second instance. I'd say thank you and smile though.

pixwix · 27/07/2013 15:14

That sounds lovely - I do it for my neighbours and vice versa. When you say you aren't on speaking terms - does this mean you just haven't had chance to get to know each other yet?

Pickle131 · 27/07/2013 15:18

If this happened to me I'd think that it was very kind of someone. I'd maybe feel there was now some kind of obligation on me, but be happy I had nice neighbours. If the person left a note saying "I hope I did the right thing but I saw your washing was about to get soaked" I'd feel less concerned that I had an interfering neighbour. If I'd had underwear on the line I'd think they had overstepped a bit.
I bet you're standing by the window wondering whether to put it back on the line and panicking you'd get it back in the wrong order Wink

youarewinning · 27/07/2013 15:19

Id be extremely grateful. Probably get you a bottle of wine. Nothing worse than being caught in a downpour if on a day out and then coming home to have to sort out soggy washing.

Original poster
FrussoHathor · 27/07/2013 15:22

They've live there for a couple of years, normal family. we just don't talk more than saying hi.

Didn't touch knickers. Just unclipped pegs and caught it all in basket. Was mostly work uniform.

I'm just hoping the black bag trick works or it'll just be a soggy mess when they find it, and that won't have been helpful at all.

OP posts:
Joanne279 · 27/07/2013 15:24

I wish you were my neighbour. Very kind of you x

Original poster
FrussoHathor · 27/07/2013 15:25

Will leave a note like pickle said. I'd never get it in the right order if I put it back Wink

OP posts:
TidyDancer · 27/07/2013 15:25

Oh that is very kind of you, and I would've been very grateful if someone did this for me. :)

deleted203 · 27/07/2013 15:27

I'd be very grateful! It was a kind thing to do.

GibberTheMonkey · 27/07/2013 15:29

Always nice to hear stories of kind
and considerate neighbours as a balance

deepfriedsage · 27/07/2013 15:31

I wouldn't be grateful to have a stack of ironing if you just chucked it all in a crate to crease up. I would rather it be left till it dried so I could fold it, thus avoiding ironing. I would appreciate your kind thoughts, just wish you left it alone rather than give me an unpleasant task of ironin , I would not need to have done otherwise.

Original poster
FrussoHathor · 27/07/2013 15:36

deepfried it's stuff that they would iron anyway. I contemplated folding it, but that would have involved touching it more than would be comfortable. plus it was seriously starting to hammer down

OP posts:
AudrinaAdare · 27/07/2013 15:38

Go for it. Mine have just soaked my almost dry washing by sitting and watching their children in the pool fire the hose over the fence Angry I had my laptop out there earlier. That would have been an interesting conversation.

They are about to light their BBQ. I don't think any of them have looked at the forecast and it's already clouding over. Good.

LifeIsSoDifferent · 27/07/2013 15:38

I'd be grateful

AudrinaAdare · 27/07/2013 15:39

Oops, didn't RTFT. Well done Smile

Original poster
FrussoHathor · 27/07/2013 15:43

audrina can't believe someone would let their kids soak the neighbours washing. Shock

OP posts:
ZillionChocolate · 27/07/2013 15:44

I think it was kind. If they think it's overstepping the mark, then they can say "thanks, but no need in future, just let it get wet".

I'd be grateful. I wouldn't dry kinky sex gear out in the garden (or in the house, I don't have any to dry), I could handle neighbours briefly handling my clean briefs.

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