Am I being a terrible snob?

[GirlOnATrainToShite]

SMIL and FIL coming to stay for week soon which is an annual event. They are in all lovely and no trouble apart from the fact they watch every single soap going .

I admit I am not great with guests and I struggle having people in my space for long periods. We are also a large blended family so the house will be full (not relevant).

SMIL is a lovely northern lady who lives in an area where everyone is in and out of each other's houses, everyone knows that each other and it's a small area we live down south in a big area and very much keep to ourselves - we know most of our neighbours and are friendly but that's about it. I hate people turning up "unannounced".

We have no front garden (Victorian semi) just a very narrow path at the front of the house and a low wall dividing it from the pavement.

We do however have a (small) back garden which gets plenty of sun.

SMIL insists on taking a dining room chair and sitting on the front "path" and resting her legs on the wall with the front door wide open saying hello to anyone who walks past.

I know there are bigger things going on right now but AIBU to really hate her doing this as it's seems a bit "common" and prefer her to use the back which is private? I know she's not hurting anyone but I hate having my front door wide open (I will be at work some of the time). I need to chill out don't I?

I'd leave her to it. Her being the sociable type doesn't have any bearing on what people think of you. I live down south and am as introverted as they come, but I'don't say hi and walk on and not give it another thought.

I say get her a posher chair to sit on, plus a small side table with martinis and cocktail shaker, just ban any use of knotted hankies.

*but I'd say hi

I know the dining room chair irks too

We have camping chairs in the garage.

I have never seen this front garden sitting before. I love it, what an absolute scandal she will cause.

What Verity said

hahaha I can see her now.. how funny.. it's exactly what my Mother would do... I agree with others.. let her get on with it...

You will be the talk of the neighbourhood with your Northen relative sitting on the front. I expect the local residents association will call a special meeting about you.

Sounds like North vs South snobbery to me. What relevance is it your MIL is from the North. We don't all sit out at the front with our whippets and flat caps you know.
Would you be as bothered if your MIL was from the South and sitting at the front of your house?

Having been born 'Up North' and living here for half my life I can honestly say I've never sat in our front garden but feel that I must be missing some important part of my heritage and culture so I'll get my chair and see you later

This has made me laugh a bit, I live in a similar house and opening my front door would create a lovely breeze but I'd rather me roasting than do that. No front doors open, no hanging out in front gardens, not EVER, I couldn't tell you why I feel so strongly about this, I'm not a snob honest..

*be not me

She needs a rocking chair out there. Leave her to it.
I wouldn't want my good dining chairs dragged outside.

I posted exactly the same thing a few years back! I got flamed for it.
I do think it's a bit embarrassing especially if you keep yourself to yourself but there's nothing you can do about it really.

Just make sure she has her ferret on a piece of string.

Oh and absolutely no taking inside furniture outside, no way!

Front garden sitting is all the rage in certain areas. Right now, in this hot weather, there will be families on 3 piece suites in the front garden all around the land!
Don't worry op, it won't reflect on you but I too would hate the door open all day. Can you come up with a story to put her off. Like, the couple opposite will think it's a signal that she's up for a session of afternoon delight?

Big hmmm time?

It's not a garden though it's a path a low wall then the pavement

I'm sorry I now envision a fag dangling from her mouth, and cackling ello darling to your neighbours
As she's " avin a fag"

My MIL does this, she knows more about the neighbours than we do. 😂

Teach her to doff her cap at the posho Southerners.

I've thought about doing this when the kids play out. Cold drink and chair out the front in front of the shared grassy area. They're young and it's easier to watch them sat down than stood up!

But we're next to a path and I'm worried how it looks!!!

OH is very Northern and I am very Sourhern - it's a running joke.

My dad is actually a Northerner too.

*Purplepotatoe" yeah I don't know why it makes me uncomfortable it just does.