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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
dollydaydream114 · 22/01/2017 19:38

If it happens again and you know it's your neighbour's granddaughter, then absolutely you should mention it to her. She probably has absolutely no idea it's happening, so obviously mention it as politely and non-stroppily as you can, but just say you thought she'd probably rather know about it so she can have a word.

ZebraOwl · 22/01/2017 19:46

Just here for the dialectical differences...

I suspect part of the reason it's now teenagers playing not small children who you can just about excuse as Not Knowing Better is that wee kids no longer get to Play Out unsupervised in the same way they once did...

Am v sorry you're being bothered by them though OP, & second suggestion of PP re: ambush from bushes should Suitable Shrubbery be available.

EastMidsMummy · 22/01/2017 19:48

m.youtube.com/watch?v=tTv5ckMe_2M

MixedUpConfusion · 22/01/2017 19:56

Knocky nine doors here too. I only came on to see what cherry knocking was...

Atenco · 22/01/2017 20:01

It was called thunder and lightning (knock like thunder, run like lightning) when I was growing up, but strickly forbidden for me. Unless your neighbour is an arse, tell her.

ProfYaffle · 22/01/2017 20:02

Thunder and Lightning when I was a kid (knock like thunder, run like lightning)

jennielou75 · 22/01/2017 20:02

Knock door run away in Swindon. I never did it because my mum would have killed me!!!

ProfYaffle · 22/01/2017 20:02

Fab x post!

ThaliaLuxurySpa · 22/01/2017 20:07

Mortificado,

"Knock door run! So much fun
Did anyone do the one when you tie string to one door knocker then next doors knocker, knock each door and watch them fight to open their doors?!"

God, we were obviously little horrors at age 7 and did exactly that. ("Knock Down Ginger" in these parts).But only the once:

Terrace of 8 cottages. Used invisible kite string. Hid behind the low wall directly opposite. Sniggered our little heads off, until very angry man, clearly used to dealing with it, flung open upstairs window, spotted us cowering, and called us out by name Blush

Parents not impressed. Severe telling-off, favourite toys removed for a week.

OP,

I'd definitely have a word with the neighbour. Friendly but firm!

conserveisposhforjam · 22/01/2017 20:10

Ginger knocking.

Have you been over yet op?

TheOtherGalen · 22/01/2017 20:20

I'm horrified to admit that here it was called "[n-word]-knocking."

Northeastern US

ThaliaLuxurySpa · 22/01/2017 20:29

TheOtherGalen,

Shock Jesus, that's awful.

YouMeanYouForgotCranberriesToo · 22/01/2017 20:39

Knock knock ginger here (Somerset).

I'd tell her grandmother. If it was my dd I'd want to know.

Notapodling · 22/01/2017 20:50

It was called tok tokkie for me (South Africa)

myusernamewastaken · 22/01/2017 20:50

Known as Knock Down Ginger here in Norfolk....and im ashamed to say i did it as a child too[confused

Feilin · 22/01/2017 20:53

Knick knock here very irritating

TaliDiNozzo · 22/01/2017 21:29

South East calling! It's knock down ginger here. And yes I would say something to the neighbour.

soundsystem · 22/01/2017 21:44

Ring bang skoosh where I'm from!

TroysMammy · 22/01/2017 22:00

Bobby knocking we called it. Knock on her door, and run away Grin. Then go back and tell her what has been happening.

SteamTrainsRealAleandOpenFires · 22/01/2017 22:15

We called it "Rat-a-Tat Ginger" in S.Glam.

burblish · 22/01/2017 22:25

Knock-a-pock-a-ginger where I grew up; the kind of obnoxious thing you think is a laugh when you're a daft kid.

ILoveAGoodBrusselSprout · 22/01/2017 22:30

Ring bang skoosh here

Weedsnseeds1 · 22/01/2017 22:58

Knock down ginger here in the South West. Proffyaffel thunder and lightning here is clotted cream and treacle on bread!

WanderingNotLost · 22/01/2017 23:56

Huh. I had no idea there were so many different names for knock and run! I like to think mine is the most self-explanatory Grin

catinbooots · 23/01/2017 00:00

KNOCK KNOCK