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?

Some of these replies are gold 😂

I think the Range do a clear vinyl that sticks on the window, so the light can come in but people can't see through it. My friends got a really pretty one. Might be worth a look?

I do think they could've put their tables and chairs anywhere and think it's a bit odd they stuck them right outside your window!

Fog horn? Lol

Do you have a sewing machine? If so, make a Roman blind in lightweight white linen. Ada and Ina are good for reasonably priced good quality linen fabrics.

A Roman blind won't fly up unexpectedly and leave you embarrassed like a roller blind can.

Dear OP. Funny old replies you've got. I can see you totally understand that they have every right to sit in their courtyard but at the same time none of us would like to have someone sitting right outside their bedroom window. I love to lie on or in my bed - its a real sanctuary and I'd hate to be conscious of someone else's presence right there next to me.

I liked the jokey responses but sensibly I think you should get some light gauzey flat blinds for the windows. Open them a bit and put on music - not really loudly but just to make them aware you are in the room. They might well move a bit as they become aware that instead of sitting in serene isolation they are actually sitting only a few feet away from you.

Play some classical / choral music (or Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You on a loop). Walk around a lot. Do some dusting. Be "present".

Or you could have a friendly word and ask if they would awfully mind moving their table and chairs just a bit away from your bedroom.

Thanks for the suggestions. Think I might just shove my naked titties onto the window and move them around like a windmill. Seems like the only choice I have at this point.

Open the window and pipe some loud and noisy porn through it.
Sorry.
it's a really unfortunate situation.

I second politely asking. Make a joke or two, soften the awkwardness. Say you often take a nap at this time.

windmill titties, im dying here

Do you have any outdoor space?

It is odd that they chose to position themselves outside your window. I'd be tempted to open the window for a chat.

I too find it odd you've never spoken to your neighbours.

I literally don't know what anyone in my block of flats looks like, let alone if they're nice or not. I've lived here four years.

My worst nightmare is chatty neighbours. I had those in my last flat and I could never use the shared garden because they were always out there - I had to sneak around like a burglar to get in and out of my own home!

One of them motion-activated fart machines. And when it goes off tut REALLY loudly.

go out in the night and move their table
and chairs to the other side.

Sixteen year old me would suggest having really noisy sex with the window open. However, 38 year old me rather cringes at the idea.

I would HATE this op. You have my sympathies I'm not sure what to suggest, yes some of the replies are very passive aggressive and funny but clear communication is key here. You could write a letter and fly it like a paper aeroplane through the window. Or alternatively have a word.

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

I quite literally just snorted my drink out at that

OP I think where you're going wrong is you've failed to open your window to join in... So NEXT time they're out there and he says 'XYZ' to which his DP says ABC', you then chime in with a 'Well, have you thought about XXX instead'?

Every. Time. They. Are. Out. There

If it's too close to the bedroom window, then I'd make a huge fuss and point out of it. Clean your bedroom windows, inside and out, leaning straight out - make yourself be seen! That will give them the message.

YANBU

I suffer with inconsiderate neighbours.

I think you need to keep your windows open as often as you can and hope they get the message.
I get that it is their property etc, etc, but you would hope they'd have some empathy and realise that it is not fair. Sadly, it seems, these days too many people believe their ' rights' come before all else.

Triptrap

Op you have my sympathies. We are in a terrace next to a block of flats and one of the balconies is very close to one of our bedroom windows. Happily, it's not a bedroom that is used that often, but when we have a full house, I tend to open and shut the window rather emphatically throughout the evening, and have been known to wave and say "good evening" just so neighbours know we are there and don't go on talking in to the early hrs! (Depending on the tenants, this has sometimes worked and sometimes hasn't.)

Janey.....totally agree.
Can't imagine wanting to sit right outside someone's window.

Nothing to lose having a polite word as googlie says (maybe tell them you can hear their conversation.

Haha to windmill titties..
I second the vinyl window stickers, they do have some lovely patterns. Maybe just the bottom half, so you can still see out of the top if you want/need to. Doesn't affect your light supply either.
Also opening the window slightly, and having music playing is a good idea to remind them that someone actually lives in the flat.
I tend to get a little self conscious talking in the garden if neighbours are also in their garden or have windows open .
Sounds like living hell OP, id hate to have neighbours sitting so close to my home smoking and talking loudly, feeling like you have no privacy.

Janey.....totally agree.
Can't imagine wanting to sit right outside someone's window.

Nothing to lose having a polite word as googlie says (maybe tell them you can hear their conversation.

I've had a shit few days and this has made me laugh.... not your situation, but the responses. I reckon just try all the responses on here one by one and see how long it takes them to move it :)

Hope they move it OP

Yes, it's their space but it's rather shitty to put the chairs just under someone's window!

I recall reading a thread once with a similar problem - the guy resolved his issue of teens gathering under his window to smoke by going out every time they were there to chat to them and make jokes that would embarrass them. Even offered them drink. They soon stopped congregating there out of sheer mortification.

But I agree with many pp's here: communication is all we really have, tactful, non-vibey communication. If it fails then resort to the crazy crap on this thread. Or do something subtle that might put them off - loud tv, music, etc till they get sick of it.

As for posters suggesting not getting to know neighbours - I like my privacy too, and hate nosy chatty types, but when I recently moved into a new block of flats I deliberately sought out the same level and upper level neighbours to check them out, whilst using my lack of understanding of the refuse system as an excuse. Glad I did it as they were all lovely. Always worth a few friendly words.

And I fully agree that their choice to put table near a neighbours window is crappy. I wouldn't do that.