AIBU people staring into my house

[Wheredidallmytreesgo]

Having the front garden wall redone. Living room at the front of the house, exposed. Fairly sizeable driveway but still, several times a day (and worse, evening when I’ve got my slobs on and stuffing my face with snacks 😁), people stop outside my house, gawping and pointing at the work being done and shamelessly staring into my living room/at me. For actually what’s a very uncomfortable amount of time.

AIBU? I feel like I’m in a zoo. Don’t people realise that this is quite rude?!

Any ideas of how to respond? I usually duck and hide but this evening tried just hard staring at one couple, as they were really pointing and discussing the house/looking straight at me. Didn’t seem to do anything though. Maybe walking around naked should scare them off.

PS, we don’t have any curtains because it’s a great window with a window seat, and there was/will be a nice high wall so this problem won’t last forever. But just to say we can’t draw the curtains 😭

[Wheredidallmytreesgo]

@emilybrontescorsett

I don’t know what is more annoying ; you being harassed in your garden with small talk (autocorrect wanted to change to anal talk, thanks autocorrect 🤣) OR PEOPLE STILL SUGGESTING CURTAINS

[Wheredidallmytreesgo]

(I do love a clematis though. We have one too!)

[maddening]

If it is light outside still it is unlikely they can see much inside your house, have a walk out and look back to see what is really visible.

[Ginfordinner]

I would hate not having curtains at the window. It makes the room feel cold and unfinished. In winter curtains make the room feel warmer because they act as insulation, and they make the room lighter because the window is just a black space without curtains in front of it.

I also feel vulnerable with the curtains open if it is dark outside and the lights are on.

[Wheredidallmytreesgo]

@ginfordinner

Lucky
You don’t live with us then 😜

[emilybrontescorsett]

I wonder if some people are just more nosey than others. I was in the supermarket last week, hot day. I was wearing shorts, a vest and flip flops, i was going back to sit in my garden. I noticed a woman in a dress, midi length looking me up and down, she made me feel quite uncomfortable. I wasn’t the only person in shorts and a vest either. My vest covered my bra so I wasn’t showing my underwear or anything. I sometimes think what the hell are you staring at?
Perhaps they don’t realise they are doing it.

[Jeremyironsnothing]

I love looking at people's houses and gardens as I walk. Even better if I can catch a glimpse of the interior. I don't want to see people and am disappointed if I do, as I feel the need to avert my gaze, so do people like me a favour, and stay in the back of your house. Then it's win win...

People are walking more during this pandemic. You are wanting to spoil our entertainment. Don't be miserable

[Shutupyoutart]

We get this Alot people walk past and stare in the window I find it very rude and annoying. I've started waving at people who do it they usually give a quick wave back and glance/walk away most people would be abashed when caught staring.

[Bluesheep8]

just tape some sheets of newspaper up until the wall is finished

Simple as that

[RingaRosie]

My Mum loves having a stroll around the neighborhood & seeing what “work” the neighbours are having done. It’s almost like a hobby!

[ultrablue]

Op, they would typically stop, sometimes hold onto my fence and say something like "it's a nice day isn't it?"
Me; yes lovely.
Them: you've got your work cut out.
Me: yes I know
Them: is that a clematis?
Me: yes it is
Them: oh I like clematis, such a lovely flower.
Me: pauses wondering what else to say
Them: well I'll let you crack on then, bye.
I didnt know them either!

I get this every time I try and do my front garden, I have a huge monkey puzzle tree which draws attention

[YouDancin]

Put your Christmas tree up in front of your window - with ALL of the lights and jazz on it FULL bling. That wiil give em something to stare at.

[GrannyBags]

I can’t even start with how unimportant this is in the present situation. Lucky you that you will soon have a big high wall to protect you. Until then close the curtains or just don’t be in that room. Whatever

[Lincolnfield]

Reminds me of the time, after a good night out, I stared into people’s windows because they’d all left their curtains wide open and I was saying ‘they only do that because they want you to look at their posh houses.’. Much to my friend’s amusement I walked straight into a lamppost and blacked my eye! 😂😂

[grey12]

I lived somewhere for a year that was a bit overlooked (during uni, some halls of residence)

Anyways, I put some newspaper in the bottom half of the window. Still had plenty of light but privacy from ghe street. A very temporary solution?

[TooManyLotionsNotEnoughPotions]

These temporary black out blinds were a godsend when we moved into our new house & were waiting on our curtains being made, best £25 I've ever spent!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Temposhade-Original-Instant-Temporary-Blinds/dp/B00T9SV864/ref=ascdff_B00T9SV864/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=218127903748&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16891008301824993975&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046800&hvtargid=pla-350247567335&psc=1

[SheBen]

I lived in an incredibly pretty cottage and got this a lot - soon understood that nobody is looking inside, just at the roses - chill 🌻

[Bleakfuture]

I’ve really noticed this during lockdown! People just walking past gawping in my windows.

[FelicisNox]

I would be surprised if they CAN actually see you.

There might be a few weirdos who like to look in windows but the majority will just be looking at the work being done, it just looks like they're looking through the window as they're looking at your house.

Usually, unless you have your lights on, they won't be able to see in.

Trying to get decent builders is like Bob Hope and no hope so I'm sure it's not you they are interested in. Put something temporary up.

[SneakersandSocks]

Other people have said it but yes, I’d use that frosted stick on film for the windows, I’ve seen people use it just half way up, it doesn’t block the light and you can still see out over the top . Amazon do it , it’s cheap and you can easily remove it after the work is done, it doesn’t ruin the glass.
Other then that, there isn’t much you can do! Human nature and all.

[OldYorkshirePud]

My childhood home had a big window that overlooked the garden. Along the bottom of the garden was a footpath which was hidden by the hedge for most of the year. In winter though we could see the path and walkers could see our lounge. Many a Christmas Day (the only day we’d all eat in that room) we’d be sitting there eating with people gawping are us from the path. We just used to turn around and wave, raise a glass to them and laugh at them 😂😂. They soon looked away!!

[totalinsomniac]

I hear you OP! My old house was on the route to the station. People just randomly stare in every fecking time they walked past. I actually started leaving my blinds down all the time for privacy.
People have no shame whatsoever x

[Mothership4two]

Have you got the lights on or off? If off, they may not even be able to see you and are probably just looking at the building work (especially if someone was staring right at you).

[IncrediblySadToo]

Nets??

LOL

BUT seriously you can buy very cheaply lightweight pressure poles (so you just squish them, then release them into the gap) you could just throw a sheet over it - no need to buy nets or curtains. If you use a light sheet you'll still get light in - like this readily available all over. I had old towels hung on mine.

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-extendable-net-rod-white/p348397?size=net-rod-w150-180cm

[CambsAlways]

Why don’t you put cardboard in front of the window if you don’t want ppl looking in, or windolene to stop them looking