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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To speak to my neighbour about her cherry knocking granddaughter

144 replies

Jannerite · 22/01/2017 18:10

On Friday night around 6-ish/6:30-ish there was a knock at the door. It woke my 5 month old nephew up, who wasn't feeling well and had just nodded off - he was staying the weekend. My mum, who I live with, went to answer the door, nobody was there. Obviously it was cherry knocking (for anybody who doesn't know, or uses another phrase, it's the act of knocking on somebody's door and hiding so they're left with nobody there when they answer). Most people have done it in their teens.

My mum came in to the living room a bit miffed at it. I just laughed. 15-ish minutes later another "knock". I answered. I waited. I heard a giggle - obviously girls. No boy would laugh like that. My neighbour's granddaughter and two friends then rounded the corner and were "shocked" to see me stood outside my house and then proceeded to get into a conversation with me.

There was about 5 knocks on Friday night. One knock yesterday. And another not long ago. My sister saw the girls knock tonight. She said it was 3 girls.

I am almost 95%, if not 100%, sure that it is my neighbour's granddaughter. I've spoken a few times with her, and get on pretty well with her. I'd say she's probably in her 50s. Would I be unreasonable to go knock on her door and have a word with her the next time there's a knock on my door?

OP posts:
DJBaggySmalls · 22/01/2017 18:12

I would. We call it knock down ginger and its annoying, especially when you have a baby.

happymumof4crazykids · 22/01/2017 18:13

I would while it's only kids being kids it's also very antisocial and if it was my children I would want to know what they were doing.

esiotrot2015 · 22/01/2017 18:15

I would, yes

harderandharder2breathe · 22/01/2017 18:15

Have a word but be prepared for denial. Maybe go in with "have you had this? The kids have been waking the baby all week!"

luckylucky24 · 22/01/2017 18:15

Yep. I would complain. I would bollock my kids for doing this. What if they unknowingly targeted an elderly person who took ages to get up and answer just to find out someone was taking the piss?!

DragonMamma · 22/01/2017 18:17

We call it rat tat ginger but yes, I'd speak to you ndn about it.

I'd be pissed off if somebody did this to me and I'm able bodied.

Rosa · 22/01/2017 18:19

I would also put a sign on the door saying Smile you are being filmed ....

SallyGinnamon · 22/01/2017 18:19

Yes. It's knock-a-door-run here. I'd knock on and tell what's been happening and say that although you can appreciate its fun for the GC it keeps waking your son.

I did it as a kid I'm ashamed to say. But mainly at friends houses. Confused

Janey50 · 22/01/2017 18:20

Yes I would definitely go and knock on her door and run off

suchafuss · 22/01/2017 18:26

My Dsis DB's do this! I have mobility issues so its a PITA for me and the elderly neighbours. She said 'oh its a kids trick and Mr and Mrs x know its them so don't answer it and the cow who lives at number 7 is always complaining about them playing football so I don't care'. So far today her 'DB's' have hit my husbands new car 3 times with a football and have managed to dislodge our guttering. Its the thin end of the wedge to not say anything but be prepared for knobs like my DsisHmm

RazWaz · 22/01/2017 18:32

OH! Knock-a-door-run! I thought this was going to be about a young lady deflowering all the local young lads Blush

Areyoufree · 22/01/2017 18:39

@RazWaz Me too! Feel strangely down...

Areyoufree · 22/01/2017 18:40

Let down, I mean!

IfartInYourGeneralDirection · 22/01/2017 18:41

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who thought cherry knocking was dirty Grin

ghostspirit · 22/01/2017 18:43

If it was me I would not. But it's bloody noisy in my house so my baby would not notice a knock. I would just 100% ignore. I would not even go to the door. Because as soon as you do they have the reaction they want. Don't answer then they will become bored.

expatinscotland · 22/01/2017 18:44

I'd go round.

Soubriquet · 22/01/2017 18:49

Knock knock run here

Never did it as a kid though. Never saw the point

Must be annoying though if you've got a kid who wakes at everything.

Mine sleep like the dead which I'm very lucky with

Do have a word if you're 100% sure it's her.

RebootYourEngine · 22/01/2017 18:51

We call it knock-a-doorie here.

Doing it once isnt really anything to bother about but in your situation i would have a word with your neighbour. Does the girl live there?

Nocabbageinmyeye · 22/01/2017 18:57

Knock-a-Dolly here

I'd try catch them in the act first and ask them stop, if they don't then I'd knock and say it nicely. Its super annoying but as you say we all did it, the ones who gave chase or were visibly annoyed got it worse so be nice Wink

ExcuseMyEyebrows · 22/01/2017 19:02

Yes, I'd have a word.

Interesting all the different names for it, it's called Chicky Melly where I'm from.

Bunkai · 22/01/2017 19:03

Knocky nine doors here.

Sure it's not unreasonable to go and have a word.

Original poster
Jannerite · 22/01/2017 19:05

Harder & Such - I don't think she'd deny it or brush it over. I think she'd be pretty annoyed at the fact she's been doing it.

Ghost - haven't answered the last few. There wasn't even a point to answer tonight as they were seen.. it's now just becoming super annoying. I always thought you knocked once and moved on. -little shits-

Laughing at the deflowering/something dirty though. Sorry to disappoint Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
Jannerite · 22/01/2017 19:06

Urgh I didn't double dash my little shits comment BlushGrin

OP posts:
ollieplimsoles · 22/01/2017 19:07

Knock off ginger here..

Put of of those 'cctv in operation' on your door.
Or a 'knockers will be prosecuted' sign Grin

HappyFlappy · 22/01/2017 19:08

Knocky-Nine-Doors here.

I did it when I was about 8! I would expect teens too have more sense.

I would mention to the neighbour and ask if she's had any problems (as someone else has suggested), and also stress that the baby has been very poorly and the noise wakes him up and frightens him. As another poster has said, it could also result in an elderly person having to take time to answer a door, or even having an accident.

One of those things - kids mean no harm - it's just mischief - but it is very irritating.