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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

New car & my neighbour... Ignore or say something?

252 replies

Greenleafer19 · 30/10/2019 09:13

Hi all
I know MN's love a neighbour post but I may get told to get over it about this one.....

So about 12 days ago I bought a new car and since then my neighbour, who I have a joint drive with but partitioned, can't seem to take his eyes off it.
Everytime he walks his dog, 3x a day he's coming onto my side of the drive and staring at the car, staring in the windows, circling it, stands next to it staring for ages etc.. I've been off work the past 2 weeks so the cars been parked on the drive alot and He's done this everytime he walks his dog, everyday since then. It was funny to watch on the cctv at first but I'm getting a tad concerned/ peed off with it.

This morning, having had it 12 days, I thought the fascination wouldve worn off, but no... He's now gone into the road to stand back and stare at it from a distance....

I've never had any kind of relationship with my neighbour, reason being my husband and I are always at work, keep ourselves to ourselves and apart from walking his dog the neighbour never goes out for us to see him. The very rare occasion we have seen him he tends to ignore us if we smile, wave or say hi but never thought anything of it.

Do I ignore it or say something on the cctv? He knows I have cctv but doesn't seem bothered that I'm watching. I don't want to be rude to an old man but it's now annoying me! (as pathetic as I sound!)

AIBU...??!

OP posts:
mawof3soontobe · 30/10/2019 09:38

He maybe used to work for the manufacturer? Or was an enthusiast of the make at least. If he looked at the last one of the same kind too it seems quite possible he's interested in the developments of the build

Aloe6 · 30/10/2019 09:40

What were you planning to say to him?

Charm23 · 30/10/2019 09:41

I would find it a bit odd. Probably harmless but if it's annoying you then maybe go out there whenever he's having a nosey. Even if he walks away every time he should soon realise you know when he's doing it if you're appearing each time. Maybe it'll be enough to stop him? If he doesn't stop, how about finding a toy version of your car and leavinh it on his doorstep with a note saying "Thought you'd like this as you seem so overly interested in our new car!" (I wouldn't actually do this but I'd be funny!)

WaningGibbous · 30/10/2019 09:41

At least that's his Christmas present sorted - a framed photo of your car Grin

RUOKHUN · 30/10/2019 09:41

Also posting because I wanna know what the car is

Original poster
Greenleafer19 · 30/10/2019 09:42

@justmyview We do say hi but he ignores us. Our first xmas here I knocked with a card and a box of chocolates and he stared at me through the blinds despite me waving and smiling, he just stared and didn't answer the door. I always thought he and his wife were maybe a bit reclusive but he makes lots of effort with the other neighbours. DH thinks he doesn't like us because we are a young couple Confused

OP posts:
Kitchendiscodiva · 30/10/2019 09:42

Offer to take him for a spin ! He might love it and you might end up being mates ?

MummyJasmin · 30/10/2019 09:43

What car is it - newer version of what?

Kitchendiscodiva · 30/10/2019 09:43

And yes, what car is it ?

Original poster
Greenleafer19 · 30/10/2019 09:44

@Charm23 @WaningGibbous DH said the same thing, give him a photo.. It lasts longer lol

OP posts:
Reallybadidea · 30/10/2019 09:45

Offer to take him for a spin ! He might love it and you might end up being mates ?

Yeah I was going to suggest that too. It would be a kind thing to do.

Zebraaa · 30/10/2019 09:45

I’d just take it as a compliment. He obviously really likes your car. Leave him be.

MummyJasmin · 30/10/2019 09:45

@Greenleafer19 Maybe he has special needs which make him a bit of a social recluse and act this way?

Mrsmememe · 30/10/2019 09:46

Ok so he’s either one of those people who are sexually attracted to objects, in this case your car, or maybe he has a medical condition like dementia or in the autistic spectrum? Both conditions can make people overly interested/attached to the most random of things.

I mean personally, me being me, I would have to just confront him and say you’ve seen him looking at your car quite a bit, is there a reason he’s so interested?

Mrsmememe · 30/10/2019 09:46

If you give him a photo, make sure it’s laminated 🍆💦

purplepalace · 30/10/2019 09:47

Just ignore him...the novelty will eventually wear off.

crazyangel1981 · 30/10/2019 09:47

I bet he's one of those weirdos that gets turned on by cars. He'll be sticking his penis in your exhaust sooner or later (not a euphemism !)

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 30/10/2019 09:49

He does sound odd!
but relatively harmless.
However, if you want to stop him, you could always set the alarm off in the car when he gets too close.

I was going to suggest he might have social anxiety or something until you said he gets on with all the other neighbours! have you made contact with any of them, do they know what's going on?

SellmeyourMLMcrap · 30/10/2019 09:54

I think the problem here is with you OP. For whatever reason you've seemingly become obsessed over studying your CCTV and spying on your neighbour and honestly I don't think it's healthy for you.

I get that his behaviour is unusual but it is also completely harmless, he obviously has an interest in cars as he looked at your old one too. I have no idea what his deal is but some people on the autistic spectrum for example obsess over "things" but would run a mile rather than discuss it with a stranger. There are many other reasons why he might be behaving this way, most of them entirely innocent and normal.

If it was me, I'd put a little note in the window inviting him to go out in it for a quick drive with your husband or yourself. That's just me and it might not work for you but being scared isn't exactly working for you either. :)

chocorabbit · 30/10/2019 09:54

Nothing to worry about then here or save the day. Taking my floating cloak and off to a new thread..

00100001 · 30/10/2019 09:55

Hmm, if it wasn't for your CCTV you would never know he was doing this. He clearly isn't damaging the car, or stopping you driving it or anything.

I'd literally just ignore it, or pop out and chat with him and chat to him about it. If he scoots off, then no harm done.

Alicia9999 · 30/10/2019 09:57

Next time open the door and say "wow you've been admiring my car quite a bit! thinking of buying one??"

Original poster
Greenleafer19 · 30/10/2019 09:57

@ThumbWitchesAbroad I've not mentioned him to neighbours as I don't want to sound nasty but last summer he found a rat in his front garden and my other neighbour told me he said it was our fault (we never had rats!). This particular neighbour referred to him as 'the horrible c*nt with 9 lives' as he's been very ill over the years. I was Shock when she called him that. We get on with the other neighbours and they always say hi to us etc. If he doesn't like us I'm surprised he'd go on my drive to inspect my car numerous times a day, everyday for this long.

OP posts:
frogsbreath · 30/10/2019 09:59

He's either thinking of buying a car similar to yours or he's one of those people who fall in love with cars and yours is just his type. Well, that my two pence worth Grin

mnahmnah · 30/10/2019 10:02

I’d stand by the window and blast a foghorn every time he went near it. Watch him jump. Will soon put him off Grin

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