Sitting in front gardens??

[curiousgeorgie247]

We bought an ex council house a few years ago. Lovely estate, lovely big houses with large gardens, lovely neighbours.
Most are now owner occupied but there are still a few that are council.
Was having a drink in the sun with neighbours last night in the back garden. It came up about most of the people across the road sit out in the front gardens and we were discussing why anyone would want to when we all have big back gardens. It isn't to do with the sun as they sit out there when it isn't sunny.
We have a driveway now but when it was a garden I would never have chosen to sit in the front garden as opposed to the back.
None of us have ever seen it anywhere other than on council estates. It seems to be a thing.
I'm not criticizing. It doesn't bother me. Each to their own. It just came up last night and thought I'd ask opinions.

I live on a council estate and it's lovely that so many people still do that here.

It's nice that they can keep an eye on the kids playing out and chat to other neighbours as they walk by etc.

It gives the road a real community feel and some even light BBQs and offer food to people walking past.

I'd never experienced it before I moved here but I love it.

Maybe they feel it's more sociable than shutting themselves away in their back gardens?

You’re brave.

It’s much more sociable than sitting in the back!

I grew up on a council estate and it was divided up in to little cul de sacs. Everyone would sit out in the front gardens, it was sociable and all the children would play together.

We live on a main road now so not possible.

Seriously...

I’m sure it was more normal years ago. I haven’t experienced it but it sounds a nice thing to be part of.

They do it on my road. Not council.

Was this a nice respectable estate op, with immaculate net curtains and clean doorsteps?

It's what many people did years ago when everyone knew their neighbours and kids were allowed to play out
Perhaps council house tenants are a lot more sociable than home owners?

My DP thinks it's 'common' He's not very sociable though..

Actually, why have you made the distinction between those who own their homes and those who don't?

I own mine but it's still on a council estate and there's no 'division' between those who sit out the front or sit out the back

because they don't live their lives worrying that others think less of them for sitting where they like.

Common in my village. It's mainly to keep am eye on the kids playing out. I quite like it, lots of neighbours pop over for a chat, sometimes a few of us sit together.

I'm not criticizing. It doesn't bother me. Each to their own

It plainly bothers you enough to start a thread querying it and expressing your distaste for it.

I never said I had any distaste for it. It came up in conversation yesterday and none of us were judging.

I wasn't trying to make a distinction between the owners and renters. But it is the council tenants who sit out the front whereas everyone else uses the back. It was mearly an observation.
We just wondered why?

Have you asked them?

Actually, do you even need to ask them?

I mean other than because they like to be sociable, what possible reason could they give?

You are making a distinction though because this has nothing to do with renting from the council.

It's so you can easily keep an eye on your kids playing in the street and also you can chat to your neighbours, people walking down the street etc. It's from the days when everyone knew everyone.

Exactly what Worra said. For the sense of community!

I lived in a flat with a back garden that mimicked a front garden, could see people walking by and all your neighbours. It was lovely!

I don't think my neighbour sitting there all day yesterday baking like a piece of beef playing loud music from his house and swearing and gesturing to a police car when it past was being sociable. Yes I am judging him. But for his behaviour not for sitting outside.

I have a front and back garden, we use them both. Why wouldn't we? Seems strange not to use the space.

OP how many of them have a sofa in their front garden?

Luckily no sofa. One does have a fridge though.

I used to live in a very nice village. We lived in a little terraced cottage was actually an old alms house.

We used to sit on front step and have coffee/wine with neighbours - was nice and sociable.

I expect people do it because it is nice to chat to people.

OP, I know you are trying very hard to convince us you are not judging sitting outside....but it's pretty obvious you are.
You don't like it, just say so! You think it looks a bit chavvy don't you?