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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Neighbour and my washing

227 replies

insan1tyscartching · 14/09/2016 13:10

Don't have much to do with neighbour generally, say hello if we meet and pop a Christmas card through her door so it was strange for her to shout to me over the back garden fence when I was pegging out the second line of washing today.
She says that my constantly having washing out spoils the enjoyment of her garden as there is constant movement and noise from flapping clothes and so she wanted to know if I could have a day or two every week where I didn't peg out.
I was gobsmacked tbh and trying not to laugh but explained that with seven in the family there is a lot of washing and drying to be done and I like to take advantage of the drying days so planning days not to peg out wasn't really possible but come October I rarely peg out anyway as garden is mostly shade then so not much longer for her to be bothered now anyway. But of course come October she won't want to sit in the garden then anyway.
So AIBU to peg lines of washing out when neighbour wants to sit in her garden? For clarity there are no small children here so no noise in the garden otherwise and other than cutting the grass and me pegging out our garden isn't used so it's not that we do anything that might disturb her if she's in the garden anyway.

OP posts:
SaucyJack · 14/09/2016 13:34

Weird.

Have you got loads of those dreadful hippy skirts with bells and dangly bits all over them?

bachsingingmum · 14/09/2016 13:35

Is she German or Swiss? They have really weird rules there about hanging out washing (and quite a lot of other things).

Mummyoflittledragon · 14/09/2016 13:35

She's wierd. My neighbour has her washing out. I'm sunbathing. Can't hear it. I can hear tree rustling, cars, dogs from time to time. Nope washing deffo not. If she complains again, stuck record. Hanging washing is also enjoyment of your garden. If she doesn't like it, headphones and music.

mommybunny · 14/09/2016 13:35

She may be feeling guilty as you're so on top of your washing and seeing fresh new loads out there all the time rubs it in her face I know it would in mine

Vlier · 14/09/2016 13:35

Wow OP, your neighbourhood sounds lovely to live in. It must be so quiet and peaceful there if someone can hear the washing dry.

Mummyoflittledragon · 14/09/2016 13:38

Does the grass need a vey slow mow? Hedge trimming? Borders strimming? Nows the time.

Yokohamajojo · 14/09/2016 13:38

My goodness some neighbours look for things to complain about don't they,? What does she say about the leaves ruffling, airplanes overhead, birds chirping, dogs barking, doors slamming. Clothes on a washing line being noisy - seriously??

Optimist1 · 14/09/2016 13:40

She's barking! Do you have a local Morris Dancing troupe whose outfits need laundering? Perhaps you could volunteer your services.

Unicorntrainer · 14/09/2016 13:41

Barking mad! Get a rotary drier, one of those whizzing round would probably push her over the edge.

The woman is bonkers, ignore her.

liz70 · 14/09/2016 13:42

Tell her you'll hang your washing whenever you see fit, and if she doesn't like it, then she's free to report you to the council and listen to them snorting down the phone at her.

Chikara · 14/09/2016 13:43

My neighbour did the same. She is horrible though

PigletJohn · 14/09/2016 13:44

I can send you a pair of my big pants

That'll spoil the view.

SabineUndine · 14/09/2016 13:46

I would make a point of hanging out washing every single day for the next month, just to get her used to it.

viques · 14/09/2016 13:46

Can't find link but I read yesterday of someone having their knickers posted through their letterbox with a note asking them not to hang them out as the washing line was in full view of a primary school. A primary school ! Now admittedly if it had been a secondary school I could understand, you wouldn't want to look out of your window to see a row of adolescents in the throws of milf lust leaning over your fence every lunch break.........

PigletJohn · 14/09/2016 13:47

here...

Neighbour and my washing
MrsJoeyMaynard · 14/09/2016 13:47

YANBU.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with hanging clothes out in your own garden. Unless perhaps every other item has a set of wind chimes attached to it.

cherryplumbanana · 14/09/2016 13:48

People being disturbed by their neighbours normally have all my sympathy, but this...Confused

OP please don't feel bad, this is bonkers. Before I had children, I was already doing 1 load a day, you are completely reasonable to put your family washing on the line every non-rainy day of the year. Your neighbour can face the other way, or put a higher fence with plants if she would like more privacy.

expatinscotland · 14/09/2016 13:50

She's fucking batshit. I'd ignore and carry on as usual.

Niklepic · 14/09/2016 13:52

Are you a family of morris dancers op? Or do you possibly practice historical re-enactment using chainmail?

liz70 · 14/09/2016 13:52

Our ndn - who we get on very well with - once pegged their washing out on a very windy day. Unfortunately she didn't peg it securely enough, and some items ended up in our garden, including a black lacy thong (honest). DH returned them, trying to keep the smirk from his face. Grin

PovertyPain · 14/09/2016 13:52

Send her a bill for rent owed.mwhen she asks you what that's all about, look innocent and say, "I assumed you were going to pay rent for my garden, since you think you have a right to say how I should use it?"

ItsJustNotRight · 14/09/2016 13:52

I'd be tempted to tell her to fuck off and buy herself a large detached house if she doesn't like it. However IRL I would smile sweetly and say I'm afraid that isn't possible. I have an elderly neighbour with heart problems who is a right pain but I just think appease,appease, appease. I don't to be reasonable for their heart attack but it's hard work trying to remain diplomatic, not instinctive at all.

avocadosweet · 14/09/2016 13:58

I'm on my third load of the day too. Sometimes I even hang out dry sheets because they give a bit of privacy from a neighbour who likes to hang out of her upstairs window which overlooks our garden! If I was you I'd take in washing just to make completely sure there will never be an empty line day:)

diddl · 14/09/2016 14:01

How can she see your washing from her garden, Op?

I also saw thatakkakk & again wondered how her washing could be seen by others.

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