AIBU to ask the neighbours to open the curtains?

[cocostrawberry]

A youngish couple with no children bought a house on our estate about a year ago. They don't get involved with any of the activities such as the summer bbq and basically seem to isolate themselves from the rest of us, their loss. However my main bug is that they NEVER have the living room curtains open and quite often leave the other ones shut also, today every single one of them are shut and I know they are home.

I've hinted a couple of times that it would be best for them to leave them open, the girl mumbled something about a projector and watching films, but they can't be watching films all the time.

AIBU to just point blank ask them to open the curtains during the day, it really depresses me to look across to their house with all the curtains closed, it doesn't look inviting and it looks odd compared to the rest of the estate, we all manage to open their curtains everyday, so why can't they? My DH thinks I'm BU and should just leave them to it but I think when it effects other people I have a right to say something?

Lazy, Coco?

Really?

So you'd potentially call someone with a mental health problem, who struggles hugely with interacting with people to the extent that they hide in their own home lazy?

Fuck off. Just fuck off. And whilst you're there try doing some research and gain some compassion.

You were going to have a word with your neighbours because they're "lazy"?

Please tell us, in your head, how you thought that conversation was going to pan out. PLEASE

I do exercise DVDs in my living room. I've decided it looks less weird to leave them shut all day rather than closing them for 45 mins then opening them again.

And I leave the bedroom curtains shut because my windows are draughty and it keeps the heat in.

Not that it's any of your business but I'm sorry you find it distasteful :)

Well, what a surprise.

Welcome to Mumsnet, OP. Interesting first post.

Not.

You are my very idea of a neighbour from hell OP.

We need Google Street View to give us more of an idea.

drop just something along the lines of it would look best if they could open the curtains occasionally as it makes their house stand out, they're young so I presume first time living away from home, so I didn't think it would be so outrageous to ask, maybe they're just never been taught it.

OP is hiding in her house of open-curtained shame. Like the regret of a late night kebab.

Why the hell do you think they'll be arsed if their house 'stands out'. Sod off Hyacinth.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

And what were you planning on doing when they told you to 'eff off'?

Seriously though, I keep my curtains closed when it's sunny because I don't want my paintings to fade. Winter is particularly bad for this because the sun is lower.

OP if you are serious and this isn't a joke thread you aren't just being unreasonable, you are actually stepping over the line to such an extent that I think you need an intervention.

Our neighbours at the back of us once hung his work overalls up on the curtain rail and I thought for a minute he'd blooming hanged himself!

OP you are a hoot. Never change :)
Seriously, I can imagine the scene:
"Hello, uncivilized youngster. Since your parents were wolves and you were lucky to have a barn to sleep in some of the nights, I am taking upon myself to educate you. Leave your curtains open, so that you can provide one bored lady some entertainment. It's only proper."

I'll have to ask my neighbours if they want to see me moshing in my underwear. If so I'll start opening the blinds.

You'd hate me as a neighbour. I sent my DH round in just his undercrackers to ask our attached neighbours to stop doing DIY at 1 in the morning.

I'd make him jiggle in front of my open curtains at you just for the crack. He's not a thin lad either.

You are the sort of neighbour that I would gleefully piss off by painting my fences in fluorescent pink, and have hedges carved into hearts and animals, as well as a collection of gnomes and flamingos, with lights and everything, I'd completely stand out.

Op get a grip, it's their house they are adults and can keep their curtains opened or closed If they wish.

Oh please go and knock on their door and ask them, then come and tell us what they said!
They probably keep them shut to stop people like you staring in and critiquing their standard of curtains/nets!
You are being madly unreasonable!

Hatespiders

Did you have to go and have a proper look through the window?

OfaFrenchMind I just snorted with laughter at that

Even when I was 14 and having a lie-in I got extremely annoyed with my mother hollering up the stairs 'are those curtains still closed at this hour?'.

From a complete stranger though.............

op
Fuck off Hetty Waintethrop

I keep my closed to keep the heat in. 2 radiators and a fire in my lounge and its still flipping cold!

Oh this is hilarious. My curtains are often closed during the day as both of us work shifts. Sometimes I even close the living room curtains when I am up as the sun can cause a glare on the tv.

I don't think I have ever noticed if my neighbours open or close their curtains.

Stick a note in:

To keep your curtains shut, it's known,
Really lowers the neighbourhood tone,
So please, I plead, stop being so idle,
Because your closed curtains make me homicidal.

Isee I bet they are having sex parties and things in there, what with them being a couple with no children....

OP - I agree with PPs who suggest you mind your own business. It is nothing to do with you whether they open or close the curtains.

I am still thinking this is a reverse because surely there are not people sad enough to give a shit about this kind of thing? If not, I think you are seriously unhinged. They presumably want to be left alone and who can blame them.

If you do go round and tell them, please be prepared for the fact they might tell you to fuck off and mind your own business