Use of drive

[hartof]

So we have a side by side drive with a neighbour. Last year they asked us well in advance if they could use our drive and theirs for a bouncy castle for us Their wine birthday party. I've been advised by another neighbour that this year they intend to do the same but for this Saturday. They've invited other neighbours for drinks tonight but not us despite us getting on good terms. They've not asked us yet but apparently they plan to, I really want to be petty and say no AIBU?

Park your car on the drive then go out for the day on foot.

@shazstanton01 are you on a wind up?

Yes, park your car and go for a picnic to a local park

@shazstanton01

This is one of those situations where you have to weigh up whether it's worth it... you say you get along ok with these neighbours, you had no issue with the same scenario last year and it would definitely have been polite for them to check the same applied this time, but obviously they've taken it for granted that you'll probably be ok about it. You could decide to kick up a fuss, but it's likely to sour relations with your neighbours permanently and it can be quite difficult living in a house when there's animosity with your nextdoor neighbours, as vouched for by numerous post on here. Is it actually going to put you out that much?

are you sure this info is correct about a repeat ? i would say 'i'vebeen told you want to do this thing again, it's okay but i'd rather you asked me first' it is a bit cfery

If you are in England, remind them that a gathering of more than 6 people outside is illegal.

Could they be assuming you’d know from last year?
They just assume you won’t refuse when the castle arrives!
My neighbours would do something like that.

It’s not up to you to chase them about you doing them a favour.
I’d block my drive and probably start throwing buckets over drive to clean it when you think they could arrive.

Petty? Maybe but not being taken advantage of is certainly not petty.

Hire a skip.

@shazstanton01

You should have a backyard MMA inferno fight with your neighbours to settle the beef. This worked when my SIL "accidentally" broke my 5 year old's first vape pen, even though I had made sure to only give him natural flavours such as beans on toast, DR Pepper and tamales.

Are you sure it was a vape pen? And it was for the 5 year old? 😂😂😂 (Clearly too many neighbourly threads about nothing, so cannot blame you 😂😂)

So what do you want to do? Let them use the drive or not?

They shouldnt be having a party or bouncy castle at this time anyway. Assuming you have a car on the drive I would just leave it there. If they ask in advance I would probably agree to it. If they don't ask until the bouncy castle is already there waiting be set up I would be tempted to say no, they should have asked you sooner

I would say no purely on the grounds of the lockdown rules. But it seems you're thinking of doing it because they didn't invite you round which does seem a bit petty.

I don’t think it’s petty to refuse a favour to people who don’t see you as a friend.

Stick your car on the drive. Doubt bouncy castles should be hired out atm, and parties shouldn’t be happening.

Are people having birthday parties at the moment!?

Struggling to see why you would say no, assuming they ask. Will it cause you inconvenience?

Is the reason you want to say no because they invited other neighbours for drinks? They can be closer to other people but still like you, try not to take it personally.

Unless it causes major inconvenience I would help decent/amicable neighbours when I can.

They’re clearly CFrs but your motives are questionable

@shazstanton01
Brilliant 🤣🤣

I don’t understand why you’re getting grief here OP.

If someone had posted: my neighbours have decided to have a party with inflatables and expect to use my drive for this.
People would be calling them cf and telling you to block your drive/unplug castle etc.
It’s irrelevant that it was ok last year, it’s not okay this year.

They should have checked in advance but not sure its worth making an issue of. Also not sure why you are so upset they have had others for drinks and not you, you don't have to be invited to everything.

Jesus the pettyness 😂

I mean, you're getting all sound up and you don't even know for sure it's happening. It's also a week away. Even if they asked you the day before, it's still enough notice for you to move your car without any issue.

Also it's really not a big deal that they're having other neighbours round. Everyone on my street is very friendly and we have drinks. We don't always have them together and it wouldn't occur to me.to be in a huff if a couple sets of the neighbours I'm friendly with had drinks without me.

If a neighbour asked to use my driveway to host a party I wasn’t invited to the answer would no.

They've invited other neighbours for drinks tonight but not us

Even if you were really close friends, they would still be allowed not to invite you every time they invite someone else!

Planning to borrow your drive and not ask you until the last minute is not on. I would offer my drive to a friend's car for the weekend...