Neighbours sitting outside my window.

[MasuMara]

There's a courtyard outside my bedroom window, it belongs to my neighbours.

They've placed their table and chairs right outside my window (practically have their heads resting on it!)

The courtyard isn't huge but they could easily place it elsewhere. I've come home today and it's been a long day and I just wanted to lie on my bed and chill ... and he's out there smoking.

I don't feel I should have to sit in the dark to avoid being stared at. Aibu?

Are you friendly with them? It sounds annoying (especially if you're smelling the smoke) but if it is their court yard it's tricky!

Can't you open the window into his head?!

It's their courtyard, why shouldn't they sit where they like on their own property?

Maybe that's where the sun is or isn't when they want to be out there.

Not going to help if you want the window open but can you get some of that black film to put on your window. You can see out but they can't see in. You get privacy without sitting in the dark.

I'd start cleaning the window...

Loud and irritating music, ruin the courtyard experience.

Something pop from the late 90s ought to do it.

My friend has this arrangement - it's bizarre. The neighbour has put up a low screen but it still blocks half her light.

Watch them.

Stand with your palms and nose pressed against the glass grinning inanely.

I've never spoken to them in my life. The only time I've seen them is when they are outside.

Yesterday I came home, went straight in the shower and then into my bedroom to get changed. Awkward walking over to your window wothjist a towel on.

Fling windows open wide?

Play some music?

Clean the windows?

Stand at the window and start conversation about the health hazards of smoking?

Make loud sex noises?

Chrissie - the neighbours might like late 90s pop. I suggest heavy metal with lots of screaming and growling

Pop round and explain . See if they are prepared to move it

I would open the window and have very loud enthusiastic sex. They will probably move

What bitchy replies.

Its their property op, their garden, you can not stop them sitting there.

I can't believe some of these replies. Those people are perfectly entitled to sit in their own courtyard.

OP. Get net curtains or similar. Close the curtains and lie in the dark. Them being in the courtyard does not stop you closing the curtains. If it's warm get an aircon unit or a fan.

You have no right to stop someone sitting in their own courtyard.

You picked the arrangement - you presumably knew that was how it was when you viewed the property and agreed to rent or buy? Sorry but you can't expect them not to use their own property.

Open the window onto their head

Love it

Nowt stranger than people OP

Block-out blinds and a white noise machine. (What a bizarre set-up, though?!)

You could be like the annoying child on a thread last week who leaned over the fence and just kept talking and talking to the MNer until she got fed up and came inside

Oh my goodness the "bitchy replies" are clearly just having a joke. Or do they need to put (lighthearted) after it?

Some of you do get that I don't have an issue with them sat outside right? I have an issue that despite there being more than enough room and plenty of sunlight they decide to place themselves right outside of my window.

The courtyard belongs to them. They have every right to sit where ever they choose in it.

OP YANBU they are probably just the type that are obvlivious to anyone other than themselves, I think your best bet is to make it obvious you are in the room by closing the window or putting music on etc they might get the hint to move away a bit

could you get a vinyl sticker for the bottom of your window? you can have it frosted or some other design so they can't see you. if you only do it on the lower half your light shouldn't be affected too much. still annoying but at least you won't have to have your curtains shut!

My goodness there's some daft replies here. You've never spoken before. They could be really approachable and understanding you never know. I'd head out there and have a sensible chat. Explain issues with smoking, privacy etc and would they mind very much moving slightly. I'm not sure why they'd want to sit right under your window anyway, bit weird. If this fails though you may have to result In the heavy metal music/face pressed up against window!

Yes I agree that if it's their courtyard they have the right to sit wherever they wish in it.But it does strike me as being a little antagonistic sitting right up against the neighbour's window. Surely it wouldn't hurt them to exercise a little consideration?

I would just go over and cheerfully ask them to budge their chairs over. Maybe add general chit chat so that it's a friendly interaction in general instead of a 'grumpy neighbour' one on either end. Should be easily sorted