Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Original poster
FrussoHathor · 28/07/2013 18:14

Are you honestly saying there were pants on the
line but it was OK cos you didn't touch them?!

Whiteandgreen Without going into a discription of exactly what they had on their line, and even my memory isn't that good I think there were some socks. There may or may not have been pants, but I would have done the not touching the pants thing because I've always done the not touching other people's pants method since I did chores as a child.
I did the unpeg and drop into basket method of removing from line because it was hammering down by the time I got to the 2nd item. Folding would have meant everything would be soaked, as would have inspecting what items they had on their line.

ps. have spoken with neighbour.

OP posts:
ShadowMeltingInTheSun · 28/07/2013 18:15

Personally, I'd have found this kind of annoying. I'd prefer the washing to be left on the line until the sun came out to dry it again or until I could sort it out myself.

But I appreciate that most people taking the washing in would be doing it with good intentions, so I'd be doing my best to keep my annoyance to myself.

curlew · 28/07/2013 18:49

I do see that there are people who wouldn't like it. But, assuming the getter inner had easy access to the garden, and didn't batter the fence down, then I stick to my line that it is the people who wouldn't like it who need to get over themselves. There is no possible legitimate reason to object to a kindly neighbour rescuing your washing from a thunderstorm. None at all.

SloughCow · 28/07/2013 19:28

read this whole thread to see if there was a mention of the neighbours reaction??????????/

notapizzaeater · 28/07/2013 19:33

Personally I'd have been delighted, knickers and all :-)

revealall · 28/07/2013 19:40

curlew -apart from the fact that they were in your private space touching your things without your knowledge.

Yes it might have been "kind" back in the day something because clothes were relatively expensive and less available then today's bulging wardrobes of Primark specials. Washing machines were slow and a bit crap and tumble dryers an unheard of luxury.

Now people have no space or privacy living on cramped estates the kind thing to do would be to respect that.

NotAQueef · 28/07/2013 19:44

What did your neighbour say frusso ?

curlew · 28/07/2013 19:51

"Touching your things"- give me strength!

What about taking in a parcel for you? Would you prefer your neighbour to say "sorry- I can't touch that, it's not mine?" What if you went out accidentally leaving your door wide open- could they not close it? Your bin blowing away? You drop a scarf as you run for the bus- best left on the pavement?

Bogeyface · 28/07/2013 19:51

apart from the fact that they were in your private space touching your things without your knowledge.

:o Its a bit of washing on line outside! Its not quite on the same level as entering your home and rummaging through your drawers (ooer!). Sorry but I thin "get over yourself" does pretty much cover it. On what planet can you possibly imagine that anyone would care what brand of knickers you wear?!

curlew · 28/07/2013 19:55

Ooh, I keep thinking of things. You go out for the day forgetting that you've left the paddling pool filling. Rather your neighbour let your garden flood than "touch your things" by turning the tap off?

revealall · 28/07/2013 20:34

How is taking a parcel in the same? Or dropping a scarf - neither involve going into someones space uninvited?

I often leave my back door wide open. We are not a high crime area and my back gate is locked. I would be pissed off if a "kindly" neighbour shut it actually.

I might forgive the paddling pool as it could possibility cause damage to the other neighbours. As I wouldn't mind intervention in any other "emergency" situation.

However leaving washing out in the rain is fine for many people me included and certainly not an emergency. Haven't you read the other thread by the way?

And yes I do make some judgement about people knickers actually even if it's just "lucky cow to be able to wear those..". I assume that if I do it so do others.

Lweji · 28/07/2013 20:37

Interesting thread.

Now, I live in a flat.
A while ago, the upstairs neighbour's bra fell on my clothes line, off the kitchen window.

What would you guys have done? Grin

PS - I think you did a lovely thing and would thank you, OP.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 28/07/2013 20:42

We did it for our camping neighbours once in the alps. They seemed grateful and it felt like a good thing to do. However it felt a bit awkward the next time it rained.

Original poster
FrussoHathor · 28/07/2013 20:50

this thread has left me double guessing everything. Ndn didn't tell me to F off and stay off their property.
Appeared genuinely grateful.

This may however have been a cover and ndn is now planning my demise. Hmm

On what planet can you possibly imagine that anyone would care what brand of knickers you wear?! bogeyface was i meant to check brands?

OP posts:
deepfriedsage · 28/07/2013 20:58

Ha, ha at judging knickers, is it wearing judgey pants, hoiked up?

Original poster
FrussoHathor · 28/07/2013 21:52

What brand are judged pants deepfried? Are they a particular style? couldn't be a thong they would hurt too much pulling them up

OP posts:
curlew · 28/07/2013 22:34

"PS - I think you did a lovely thing and would thank you, OP."

Now, I don't think she did a "lovely thing". I think she just did a normal, human thing that anybody who wasn't a bit bonkers would do, and would expect to have done for them.

curlew · 28/07/2013 22:37

And I don't care if people get cross with me about that last post. I hate the way we think being insular and "looking after number one" is the way to go. I want my children to grow up in a society where we watch out for each other, in big ways and small, and I try my hardest to model that for them.

countrymummy13 · 28/07/2013 22:43

Although you may only have had kind intentions, I think as a general rule you should just leave other people's things alone (unless you are very good friends).

The problems is, have you now set a precedent which your neighbours now need to worry about?

What if, like me, they don't mind leaving their washing to get wet then dry again on the line?

And what if, like me, line dried clothes don't get ironed? You've just creased them up!

So now does your neighbour need to worry about leaving her washing out in case you think you've got to go round and take it down?

You can't assume other people think the same as you.

I think the best thing to do is go round and kind of rationalise taking the washing in. Somehow letting the neighbours know that it won't be a regular occurrence and that you thought it would be helpful but perhaps in hindsight it might not have been.

A lovely thought, but perhaps don't do it again.

Maggietess · 28/07/2013 23:19

curlew we totally agree. All this double and triple thinking thinking what other people might possibly (but probably don't) think is just NUTS!
Good god people have too much time non their hands and some serious middle class problems if this is the root of all privacy invasion evil.

OP NDN most likely thanked you and was genuine about it. Of she was one of the secret harbingers of privacy doom for stepping inside the hallowed garden of smalls then smile, step ba k and don't go there again... There madness lies!
Grin Grin

Maggietess · 28/07/2013 23:26

As always I apologise for the typos on my phone "if" and "don't" were the two I spotted there.
And im witting back now cringing and waiting to be lambasted (don't normally stick the neck out there, but I couldn't hack it any more!). DH agrees with me so all is good Wink Wink Wink

aufaniae · 28/07/2013 23:32

If you did this for me I would be genuinely grateful, and would be happier in general knowing I had someone living next door who was looking out for me.

Fifi2406 · 28/07/2013 23:33

Please move next to me! You sound lovely Smile

revealall · 28/07/2013 23:46

countrymummy13 - yes this sums it up perfectly.

Curlew - you are the reason I would fear someone taking in my washing.
Because even though I have given good good reasons why I would hate you getting my washing off the line apparently it's for my own good. You know better and are being kind and I am being ungrateful and unneighbourly.

Can I reassure you that I do not not look after number one and that I play a very proactive (and understated) role in my community. However taking in someones washing is without at least some sort of inference that this is OK is being a bit needy at best and an assuming busybody nightmare at worst.

Thanks. But no thanks

zatyaballerina · 29/07/2013 00:01

I would hate if a neighbour did that tbh, none of ours can see into our garden (high fences and trees) but if they could and invaded my privacy like that I would feel extremely uncomfortable no matter how good their intentions. I don't want people in my space, touching my stuff, end of. I'd think anyone who did that as being very interfering and a bit creepy.

Swipe left for the next trending thread