I think my neighbour is a cheeky fucker aibu?

[SiliconHeaven]

I was working at my computer earlier today, my ‘office’ is at the front of the house and I was sat by the open window. Two boys came to my door, a neighbour and his friend, aged about 6 or 7. I saw them pass the window and I could hear them giggling and chatting. They rang the doorbell and knocked on the door. I didn’t answer it because I didn’t want to.
Short while later the neighbour dad came to my open window and started shouting at me about how rude I was not answering the door to his son and his friend because they wanted to ask me about my 3-legged cat
He was really nasty, shouting very loud and swearing. He does have form for being a twat.
Why do some people make it so hard for everyone else? I told him not to shout at me and tried to close the window, unfortunately his arm was stopping me from closing it so I just left the room.
Bit shaken up to be honest, not being unreasonable am I?

Answer the door then instead of being rude and ignorant to children.

@StoneofDestiny

The neighbour is unhinged. I'd report him - actually stopping you shutting your window - wow. You don't have to answer the door to anybody obviously - your door, your time!

Grow up, report him, ffs

The police have better things to do than come to stupid shit like this spurred on by furious Mumsnetters!!

Why couldn’t you open the door to the children? It could’ve been an emergency that they needed an adult to help with
They were giggling and chatting.

Why should you answer the door? I don't get why people insist you should open your front door when someone knocks or rings. If you're working you're busy. Who cares if it was kids!

@catpoooffender

He sounds awful, but I don't think it was very kind of you to ignore the children. As a PP said, what if they had needed help?

They are not the OPs responsibility, and I’m sure they would’ve called out if they needed help? Just because OP works from home should she accept responsibility for all the neighbourhood children? If they’re in need why don’t they ask their parents!

Answer the door then instead of being rude and ignorant to children.

It's not rude and ignorant to ignore a couple of nosy giggling kids when you're trying to work.

In what way are you asking if you were being unreasonable? To not answer the door to the kids do you mean? And How was he "cheeky"? Abusive, arrogant, aggressive and rude I could understand you saying. But "cheeky"

Oh completely appreciate you not answering the door because you were working, but you said you didn't answer the door because you didn't want to? Your NDN sounds like a nutter, but not sure what you've got against his 6 year old?

This guy is an angry knob. Please don’t feel intimidated by his bullying tactics.

Definitely not rude. People complain they don't get the same service when companies work from home but then you're rude not to answer the door.
"Sorry I know you've been queuing for ages to get through, I'll pop you on hold while I see what these kids at the door want"

@SakuraEdenSwan1

Answer the door then instead of being rude and ignorant to children.

Doesn’t matter who it was, OP was working.

Or are children suddenly Gods who should be obeyed and indulged at all times 😂

I would have just told him I was working and don't answer the door when I'm working. I'd keep your cat indoors, too.

I don't answer the door to strangers if I'm not expecting them or a delivery. Some harridan had followed my son home from the park the other day after she challenged him and another kid. I saw her and said, 'What do you want?' 'Open the door' 'Who are you that you think you can order me what to do in my own house?' She got all bolshy I told to quit stalking my kid and get away from my door or I'd call the police.

@Jumpers268 kids were giggling and chatting - clearly not an emergency.
I wouldn’t have answered door either when working unless it was a delivery or an emergency.
People need to control their children and not have them be an annoyance

@Cheeseandlobster

They were age 6 or 7 so little boys really? Would it have hurt you to open the door for 2 mins then you would probably be having a better night now? The neighbour was an arse for shouting and swearing though

So missing the point. Op was working, she doesn't have to make herself available to whoever demands her time.

@QueenPaw

Definitely not rude. People complain they don't get the same service when companies work from home but then you're rude not to answer the door. "Sorry I know you've been queuing for ages to get through, I'll pop you on hold while I see what these kids at the door want"

Much better worded than my ramblings, totally agree.

I don't always answer the door to my neighbours children when I'm working (never anything important, they are just bored and like to come up with reasons to chat). Like the OP, I know they are fine because I can see and hear them coming. Presumably she would have answered the door if they seemed distressed.

Anyway, you weren't rude or unreasonable OP. It's not always convenient to break off from work to answer the door and you don't need to defend yourself for not being available to entertain someone else's children. Your neighbour is rude and entitled though. If you felt threatened, report him.

She was working.

In what world is it normal for children to go knocking on an adult's door (I'm presuming they barely know) to discuss their disabled pet?!

@osbertthesyrianhamster

I would have just told him I was working and don't answer the door when I'm working. I'd keep your cat indoors, too.

I don't answer the door to strangers if I'm not expecting them or a delivery. Some harridan had followed my son home from the park the other day after she challenged him and another kid. I saw her and said, 'What do you want?' 'Open the door' 'Who are you that you think you can order me what to do in my own house?' She got all bolshy I told to quit stalking my kid and get away from my door or I'd call the police.

Weren't you concerned about what he was involved in at the park that needed challenging?

The police have better things to do

I think it is important to get an aggressive neighbour who turned up at your house shouting and swearing and who prevented you from shutting your own window warned off. He'd at least be on notice.

I'd have slammed the window on his arm and given him a few choice words of my own - but this guy left the OP 'shaken'. The police are meant to be keepers of the peace.

How is op rude for not answering the door? Just because someone knocks on your front door doesn't mean you have to answer it - same as if your phone goes. Tbh, unless I'm expecting someone or a delivery I won't answer the door as it's usually someone hassling for something

You were definitely NBU.
You were working.
The dad was being an enormous twat to react like that.

You are not obliged to open your door to anyone who knocks and you are certainly not obliged to put up with this shit from your neighbour.

I’d be asking the police to have a word with him.

The neighbour was way out of order. But why didn't you answer the door. Most people do but only on MN is it the norm not to.

[quote TheLastLotus]@Jumpers268 kids were giggling and chatting - clearly not an emergency.
I wouldn’t have answered door either when working unless it was a delivery or an emergency.
People need to control their children and not have them be an annoyance[/quote]
Not sure where I said it was an emergency? Also said I completely understand if OP didn't answer because they were working but that's not what they said.

OP,
Report him.

Abusing you and stopping you closing the window?

Who are these people.

Call 101 and report him.