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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be annoyed by message about washing my car

430 replies

21summers · 13/04/2021 13:42

Neighbour has sent me a (second) message asking us when we’re going to wash our car. We ignored the first message.

It’s not muddy or dirty. The alloys are still silver. It’s just dusty because car washes have been closed for months. They’re good neighbours otherwise. AIBU to be irritated and to think I can decide when I want to wash my own car that’s doing nothing to them except sitting outside on the public road (and it’s not parked in front of their house, it’s parked in front of ours).

OP posts:
Pemba · 13/04/2021 14:34

I don't really understand why people have their neighbour's mobile numbers, unless they are actually good friends? I never have, although I know their names to say hello to, and we take in parcels etc.

OP, I would just ignore and if they escalate it, then block their number.

EssentialHummus · 13/04/2021 14:34

"Ha, very funny Neighbour . We're alright, but if it bothers you the bucket and cloth is down the side return Wink."

GroggyLegs · 13/04/2021 14:36

Write:

"NEVER"

In the dust on the windscreen.

Original poster
21summers · 13/04/2021 14:36

It’s ok @AvonCallingBarksdale

We obviously say hello/how are you etc. if we see them on the street. Take parcels in for each other. Nondescript really - we keep our distance our end because I don’t really want to be besties with next door.

And you’re right - I’d love to live somewhere like that too. Let me know when you find that place - and I’ll move in beside you 🤣

OP posts:
chocatoo · 13/04/2021 14:38

I'd just say 'feel free to give it a wash!' but don't get drawn into explaining why you haven't, etc.

Oatsandraisens · 13/04/2021 14:38

It might be different for other areas but in ours, if it's parked on a public road we can't wash our car because of the pollution going into the drains, there are signs up about being prosecuted. If this is the case you could message back and say you'd rather avoid the fine.

ddl1 · 13/04/2021 14:39

That sounds really cheeky!

nancywhitehead · 13/04/2021 14:40

@SmokedDuck

I'm middle aged and I've never washed any car I've ever owned!

I might decide to take a humorous approach to this, though. You have to be pretty weird to send a note like that once, much less twice.

Agreed! Confused

OP, your neighbours are bonkers! Ignore them

Todaywillbegood · 13/04/2021 14:45

Wow. I would be tempted to never wash it again. You could suggest you are saving water and want to help protect the environment. Maybe invite them to join you as it's a very important cause?

DontBeRidiculous · 13/04/2021 14:50

How amusing that they care! I'd be tempted to tell them they can wash it themselves, if it bothers them so much! More likely, though, I'd just ignore.

SamW98 · 13/04/2021 14:51

Probably the first unanimous thread Ive ever seen on here

Agree with everyone else, its none of their business and I would deliberately drive through muddy fields to make it even dirtier

They seriously need to find a hobby if this sort of thing bothers them

Land0r · 13/04/2021 14:51

We had a neighbour a bit like this at our last house. On rubbish collection day we used to leave our bags on the drive next to the pavement as directed by the council (this was before we moved over to wheelie bins). We used to go off to work early and the bin men came around lunchtime I think.

We often used orange Sainsburys carrier bags for rubbish rather than black sacks.

One day I happened to be at home and saw the neighbour on our drive with a bin bag. She was gathering up our orange carrier bags and putting them into a black sack (thereby doubling the amount of plastic used) as the orange 'ruined the kerb appeal' of the road! Apparently she did this every week, but we were usually at work so didn't see her.

She was just the type to ask someone to wash their car!

HedgleyTheHedgehog · 13/04/2021 14:51

This is beyond bizarre

I thought op was going to say that they ask you to clean their's when you do your own. There is a post on here from somebody with that problem

I would ask them why it's any of their concern. I hope their own car is immaculate

Heronsnest · 13/04/2021 14:54

Voting 100%!

Candyfloss99 · 13/04/2021 14:54

I would reply, "You can do it on 15th April at 1pm. Thank you very much for the offer."

andtheyallwenttotheirhomes · 13/04/2021 14:57

This is so funny. I have heard of neighbours complaining about battered old bangers outside their home, but not asking someone to wash their car! You could say that you aren't great at washing cars and that they are obviously really good at it, so they can do it for you if they like.

aiwblam · 13/04/2021 14:58

I'd reply saying - I don't think this message was meant for me.

Sad, sad, sad when you have to police whether your neighbour's car has dust on it.

VettiyaIruken · 13/04/2021 14:59

I don't get their reasoning.
Surely if your car looks dusty and theirs doesn't then it will look cleaner in comparison not dirty.

Ignoring them is sensible. More fun to poke the bear but ignoring is the grown up way.

BrilliantBetty · 13/04/2021 14:59

Woah. I'd never wash it ever again!!

Becstar90 · 13/04/2021 15:00

Well that's weird..

2bazookas · 13/04/2021 15:01

LOL. reminds me of a neighbour who asked us not to park our elderly car outside our detached house where every one could see it because it "lowers the tone of the neighbourhood".

StarCat2020 · 13/04/2021 15:01

Those stickers?! They’d have a coronary!
Win-win situation??

CatCup · 13/04/2021 15:02

What business is it of theirs?

AvonCallingBarksdale · 13/04/2021 15:02

@21summers yeah, only if you clean your car first Grin

Justilou1 · 13/04/2021 15:02

Or a really mature reply like "Who died and made you the world police?"