To think this was an overreaction by new neighbours.

[DancingDays]

House next to us has been empty for months. This afternoon I went to collect DDs from a party. When I went out the front door and I saw a removals van, couldnt see alot due to low sun in my eyes and didnt really want to look as they've all their belongings out. While loading DS into car, a man and woman appeared, I stuck my head over the car, said "Hi" they responded with a "Hi" and I drove off.

I return home and huddle DCS into the house as they are very nosey and ask 101 questions, I thought I would ease the new neighbours in gently once they have settled.

After a few minutes back home I hear a knock at the door, its the new neighbour. They have decided I am very rude to not welcome them and I have upset his wife. She's decided it's now a bad neighbourhood and wants to leave. Based on one 5 second interaction and 1/2 hour of me knowing they are there.

I explain I was busy collecting DCs and didnt want to disturb them while they are actually moving in.

He goes on and explains the only option is for me to go and apologise for my rudeness and go and get to know her. He said something along the lines of 'I expected more but that's the minimum acceptable'

He went to leave after my face and telling him I was busy with DCs but maybe I'll see them soon once things aren't so hectic for both of us. She then appeared at the door step, gave me a look of 'I'm waiting for an apology' then muttered "what's the point, she's left you on the doorstep" and stropped off back to their house.

I know moving is stressful but surely you don't confront your neighbours 'rudeness' within 1/2 hour of arrival.

If she is from away, he may have given her quite the song and dance about having lovely neighbors to get her to move from wherever they were.

Never, in all my many moves in the last 40 years, mostly in the US, has there been more than smiles and waves the first day. Often not even that, nor ever any more than that, eventually.

the US and the UZk seem to have a collective international false memory of this sort of thing. Everyone seems to think it used to happen, and still does somewhere, but sadly, not their neighbors, not their neighborhood.

I think DD1 has the answer. She's busy making a welcome card complete with glitter and foil hearts to fall out. She knows how much I hate glitter so I think she's hoping all adults feel the same way. They can't take offence to a child's welcome card can they?! Might let her knock and hand it to them with dog on lead but she's has to promise she won't hug them.

I have lovely neighbours the other side and rely on them alot so it's all come as a complete suprise that these new ones can turn up and do this.

Invite them round for some tea and shop-bought cakes. Then once they're settled in ask them if they've discovered God yet and hand them some helpful pamphlets.

Glitter and foil hearts is evil genius

Haha! Your DD has a good plan. Perhaps your dog could leave them a little something too!

You should put some rubbish in their bin.

Is it possible that the husband is deliberately sabotaging any chance of his wife getting along well with the neighbours? Could she maybe have been as perturbed as the OP was but not known how to manage it?

Take in parcels but never answer the door. Park in their parking space....

Little Dancing is a genius.

The card text should say something like 'welcome to the neighbourhood even though you made my Mummy cry...'

running didn't the wife come over and huff because the OP had left her husband "on the doorstep".

She sounds just as bonkers!

Have nothing to do with them. They will take over your life. Totally blank them at every opportunity

Invite them round for some tea and shop-bought cakes. Then once they're settled in ask them if they've discovered God yet and hand them some helpful pamphlets.

With an election coming up, I'd be curious to see if their windows are plastered in UKIP posters in a week or two.

Pombears, anyone?

Send your DD over and get her to invite them over for tea and scones then hide in the bathroom every 3 minutes to update us on what's happening

OP i FEEL FOR YOU it sounds to be like they have already been causing trouble and moved into your neighbourhood, ready to go and fight again.

In your situation, you need to GRIT you teeth and go round tomorrow, with dd welcome card, chocolate and wine.

I couldn't cope with that I've lived here 9 years and never day hello to my neighbours never mind welcome them with bunting, cakes, casseroles etc!! Good Luck with them you'll need it .

Wierdos. You said Hi what more did his wife want a kiss and cuddle.
Never mind a chip on seems like she has a bag of king Edwards on her shoulder.

You need to throw a street party to welcome them and forget to send them an invite

They sound really needy, I'm sorry. You need to lay down some ground rules unless you're prepared for them to drive you bonkers.

Oh wow, you unreasonable cow saying Hi

Go overkill - get round there with the teapot, homemade scones with dog hair in them and get the conversation swiftly onto the contents of your mooncup and how the kids are constantly getting worms.

They'll soon wish you had only said Hi. Bwahahah!

Good luck OP. Think you'll need it.

Your dd is awesome.

Excellent :o I look forward to years of entertainment.

Sweet Jesus on a breadstick! They sound nuts OP.

I'm not sure I'd try to make amends. You might be safer keeping your distance. How else might they emotionally manipulate in future?

I'd be inclined to keep my distance as they sound barking. I'd pe politely pleasant. I probably wouldn't go round as I wouldn't want them in my life more than necessary at the moment. He sounds like a bully and she soonds like "me me me" drama queen.