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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Really scared as neighbour knocking on the door at this time

195 replies

Sinead777 · 19/12/2019 22:19

I’ve recently moved into a new house. My partner is currently abroad with work so it’s just me in the house. I was just having a really relaxing bath, reading a good book, when I heard a loud banging on the downstairs door. Assuming it’s a neighbour (we live in a quiet cul de sac and not sure who else it’s likely to be), but anyway I obviously just ignored as in the bath but he continued knocking. It’s left me really scared/jumpy, sorry to be a dramatic woman making an issue out of what is probably nothing, but isn’t it a bit late to be knocking on people’s doors? Our front door has a large glass panel in it so even if you are on the upstairs landing someone on the door could see you, so I literally don’t even want to come out of the bathroom. Would anyone else find this odd or have I been watching too many programmes about serial killers lol

OP posts:
JKScot4 · 19/12/2019 22:21

Maybe someone needing help, maybe your garage is on fire, just look out upstairs window, don’t be a MN weirdo that never answers a door 🙄

TildaTurnip · 19/12/2019 22:22

I think I’d change the front door style!

Delivery drivers are apparently still dropping off parcels up to 10:30 around this time of year.

Bananacloud · 19/12/2019 22:23

Don’t listen to PP
Look out the window
But don’t answer the door

Strugglingmum73 · 19/12/2019 22:23

Maybe he’s got a parcel for you

SoleBizzz · 19/12/2019 22:23

So who was it?

Frozenfan2019 · 19/12/2019 22:24

You're not expecting an Amazon delivery are you?

When neighbours have knocked for me in the past it's been to tell me something, could you have left the car lights on or the back door open? A serial killer is unlikely to knock and then walk off if they don't get an answer so be rational and work out more likely scenarios.

Popc0rn · 19/12/2019 22:24

I'd think it late to be knocking on the door, but I'd probably just see who it was tbh. I'd assume it was something urgent this late.

therewerefour · 19/12/2019 22:25

At this time I'd assume it was something urgent and answer the door.

therewerefour · 19/12/2019 22:25

Wait if you're in the bath how do you know its your neighbour?

Dongdingdong · 19/12/2019 22:25

don’t be a MN weirdo that never answers a door

I don’t think it’s weird not to answer the door at this time of night - I wouldn’t, especially if I was alone in the house! Have they gone now OP?

LionelRitchieStoleMyNotebook · 19/12/2019 22:26

We got an Amazon delivery about 40 minutes ago. People trying to harm you don't usually knock.....

Original poster
Sinead777 · 19/12/2019 22:28

@therewerefour I don’t but I am assuming as i haven’t ordered anything.

@Dongdingdong yes they’ve gone now! Thank god! I just feel like if this was my mum I know she’d breezily open the door but I feel totally terrified and assume the worst, stuff like this really flares up my anxiety

OP posts:
tinkerbellla · 19/12/2019 22:31

I'd hate this too! Just ignore and try to forget about it so you can enjoy your evening x

TrainspottingWelsh · 19/12/2019 22:33

Yanbu. The only people that ever knock on doors are axe wielding maniacs looking for their next victim. It's completely logical to be really scared, and you should definitely stay in the bathroom. That way when the madman has door knocked his way in, he can announce 'here's Johnny' when he's hacked through the bathroom door.

Not at all dramatic or ridiculous.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 19/12/2019 22:33

Not expecting anyone, particularly once dark, don’t answer the door. MN is way too trusting.

therewerefour · 19/12/2019 22:39

Apologies OP I wouldn't answer the door either! I'd be commando crawling along the floor to a window in the dark to try and see who it was though then deciding whether to open the door or not.

SinglePringle · 19/12/2019 22:42

Get a Ring doorbell.

RB68 · 19/12/2019 22:46

I pretty much always stick my head out of the window in the bathroom to see who it is, they get impatient if I have to go downstairs and through th house to them from bathroom, just make sure you have a coloured towel on otherwise could look odd!!

CrossingTheAlpsInOtley · 19/12/2019 22:48

I wouldn't answer the door at this time if I was alone, unless I was expecting a delivery.

If it's someone who knows you, the could ring and let you know it's them outside.

Otherwise, don't open the door. It's not the middle of the day or early evening. Be safe and if it is a neighbour and they mention it tomorrow, just explain that you were in the bath or in bed and wasn't expecting anyone at this time of night.

Molly2016 · 19/12/2019 22:48

@therewerefour that made me laugh!
OP i’d also not answer at this time if in the house on my own.

ClientListQueen · 19/12/2019 22:50

It could be anything
Reasons I've had in the past
Neighbour with dementia
Amazon delivery
Lost takeaway driver
My car handbrake failed Blush and hit someone's car
And I've banged on a door at this time when someone threw a firework in my window, it went off and I was petrified and didn't know what to do

Sunflower20 · 19/12/2019 22:50

I wouldn’t open the door or check. You’re in the bath and it’s late, it’s as simple as that.

doublecheeseburgermediumfries · 19/12/2019 22:54

Last summer our cat went missing and we were out one night patrolling the streets. I noticed a car parked outside a house with its window down. We had been on this street a while, didn't see any one leave the car or return to it so I started knocking on the door. I could see they had inside lights on, it was about 9:40ish? And no answer.

In the end I thought "fuck it if your car gets stolen it's not my problem"

But I probably wouldn't answer the door either

GreenGrove · 19/12/2019 22:54

There have apparently been increasing incidences of burglers knocking on doors. Most people are leaving lights on at the moment in the approach to Christmas so they're knocking to see whether there's an answer. If there isn't they're apparently coming back a short while later and attempting break ins. Our local constabulary have been posting all week warning people on their Facebook page. Be careful OP

wellthatwasthat · 19/12/2019 22:54

I once knocked on my neighbour's door at about this time of night. They didn't answer, which was their prerogative.

Thing is, I wanted to tell them that their shed was on fire.