Flatmate said my Halloween decorations are offensive

[QuestionableMouse]

They're a string of Halloween paper chains hanging on the outside of my bedroom door. She said they're offensive and she doesn't like them.

I really love Halloween and they make me smile when I come in. I have more hanging in my room too.

Who is being unreasonable?

Have you asked her why she finds them offensive?

She's being a bit daft but you're the one that has to live with her, you're the only one who can decide if it's worth living with a mardarse for the forseeable future or if it's easier to just have the ones in your room instead.

Why do they offend her?

They are just temporary so hopefully she'll deal with it. I have a colleague who disapproves of Halloween, and is shocked I let my kids dress up

In your room is fine. Out side and it becomes communal living space.

Its pagan. Some people don't like it. Only you know whether you want to carry on offending her or not.

Why does she find them offensive?

Some devout religious types don't like them, can you not put the decoration on the inside of your door?

No idea! I'm guessing it's something to do with her religious beliefs.

they are offensive to taste and decency

Is she religious? If so she might just disagree with the holiday.
I come from a christian family, and was never allowed to celebrate it. Im older now, and although I have no problem with it personally, I also dont see the point in making a big deal about it.

I have my coats hanging on the inside of the door so can't hang them there.

Because they make me happy. There's lots she does that makes me unhappy but I haven't moaned at her!

What were you hoping to get from your post?

She’s not a mind reader, if she does annoying things tell her. Why should she stay quiet when you’ve annoyed her?

Is Halloween the 18th Oct nowadays? - Maybe she doesn't like you celebrating a one day event (one evening in fact) 13 days in advance.

Flatsharing with people you are incompatible with is a PITA OP - you have my sympathy.

Is she offended at the sight of anything that isn't consistent with her religious beliefs? Is she unable to pass a mosque or synagogue without getting offended?

No-one has to take part in Halloween if they don't want to but it's utterly unreasonable to expect other people not to just because she doesn't like it.

Just hang them somewhere in your room, that way you'll get the happiness all the time you're in there, not just on the way into the room.

I disagree with the PP.

Looking at your door I am assuming you live in a HMO they are not the nicest places to live and can feel really unwelcoming.

Just because you live in a flat with communal areas doesn't mean that thouse areas should be 100% free of personal possessions and soul.

Communal living requires a degree of compromise in your surroundings and I don't think your flat mate should complain about one string of paper chains.

The whole property is your home, even the communal areas, so you should be free to leave whatever you like in the communal areas as long as it isn't inconveniencing or endangering your other housemates.

I think you need to ask her. If she's being a drama queen and saying 'offensive' when she really means 'not to my taste' then that's that. If it's for religious reasons then you can decide how important that is to you. Personally I don't think a person's flavour of faith has any bearing on something so inconsequential but you may feel differently.

I would also want to know if it is a significant religion issue as it could signal potential further and more important conflicts down the road. For example boyfriends/girlfriends, observance of food rituals, evangelism etc which I would prefer to think through in advance.

Just move them inside like the rest. She is not being unreasonable. Some religions do think they are offensive.

*They are an offense to taste and decency
*
How ridiculous. They are cartoon pumpkins and skulls. Only the most po-faced prat would feel “offended” by that.

Let her be “offended”, OP. Sometimes when you share a country with 60m others you might sometimes see things you don’t personally love & that’s just tough.

She sounds uptight! I love decs too

There's lots she does that makes me unhappy but I haven't moaned at her!

Then that's your own fault. Maybe her telling you opens the doors for you to tell her.