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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Why do my neighbours insist on sitting in their front garden?

344 replies

vnk21 · 02/06/2021 10:51

I am sure this makes me unreasonable but the incessant noise is giving me the rage.

I WFH, in an upstairs room at the front of the house. Today it's about 26 degrees here so I have the windows open. And all I can here is next door.

There's currently an entire family of them outside (mum, dad, and various kids). The parents have garden chairs out in the front garden and the kids are kicking a ball around - all of them are making a load of noise. Plus every time anyone walks past they have to engage them in conversation.

The houses in this street have small front gardens, Theirs is paved, and the size of 1 large car. Their back garden is at least twice the size. Why would you not sit out there?!

I'm not expecting silence, but the incessant shouting/screaming is so bloody irritating - especially when one of them goes indoors and they carry out a yelled conversation from the house to outside! First thing this morning it was lovely, birdsong and (because it is a relatively busy road) cars going past. But their noise is far more irritating than cars going past.

There's no solution other than closing the windows (and sweating in the heat) is there? Or hoping for rain.

I appreciate it's only a week and the schools will be back next week (so at least I should get some quiet 9-3), but I'm concerned they're going to be like this for the whole 6 weeks holiday which will drive me mad!

OP posts:
fashionablefennel · 02/06/2021 13:00

@clpsmum

Because it's their garden and they can sit and enjoy it if they want to. Another poster that thinks the world revolves around her and everyone has to be silent so she can WFH
I'd reverse that.

The OP quietly going on with her life (working, studying, sleeping, gardening or doing whatever the hell she wants) has no impact whatsoever on the neighbours.

People being loud and antisocial are the one who think the world revolves around them and that everybody should suffer in silence because they are too selfish and rude to be quiet and respect others.

starrynight21 · 02/06/2021 13:02

Move your rooms around so you can WFH in a back room ?

emmathedilemma · 02/06/2021 13:07

I feel your pain! I'm envisaging the school holidays being hell because the entire neighbourhood of kids (I've no idea where they've all come from recently!) have started congregating to play outside the room I work in. I've no idea where half of them live so they're not doing it outside their own homes and whilst I'd rather they were playing out than sitting indoors in front of a screen the level of shouting and shrieking really does get ridiculous. Because of the layout of the buildings it also really echos!! I didn't even have the window open the other afternoon and I could barely hear the person at the other end of my Teams call.

Sceptre86 · 02/06/2021 13:07

I had a similar view point to you until I realised that by time I come home from work my front garden gets more sun than the back. I still wouldn't go on the sun lounger in my front garden purely because I value my privacy but I understand why others on our estate do. Unless you can afford to live in the middle of nowhere some noise is to be expected.

emmathedilemma · 02/06/2021 13:07

@starrynight21

Move your rooms around so you can WFH in a back room ?
oh yeah, easier said than done, i've already had to rearrange furniture in a less than convenient way to accommodate working from home!
Bluedeblue · 02/06/2021 13:09

Incessant noise from kids would drive me mad also. Everyone in my street sits out the front though, because that's the sunny part and we face on to a nice view (village green and sea beyond). If they have a sunny back garden, it does seem odd that they would choose to sit out the front - I have never done so in previous houses. I'd try the TV on loud, and a fan.

SueSaid · 02/06/2021 13:11

Nothing against anyone quietly sitting in their front garden, as others have said maybe it gets the sun.

There is however a difference between that and disturbing others. Mind the type of people that shout at each other in their front gardens probably do it in their back garden too. You have my sympathies op.

Francescaisstressed · 02/06/2021 13:12

I've had neighbour issues throughout the whole pandemic.
My work is incredibly senstive, and I sometimes have to make very difficult phone calls
My next door neighbours live loud music anytime of day, and regularly have people round for a hot tub party at 3am on a Thursday.
I am well aware they are entitile to enjoy their home, but when did everyone get so selfish and ignorant towards others

DumbestBlonde · 02/06/2021 13:13

I drove through the Chatswoth Estate on Sunday. But I don't think that's the one you mean. I stopped for lambs to cross every so often, and some ducks, got a great view of the big house, and then took a little detour to the grave of JFK's sister.

Mind you......

SueSaid · 02/06/2021 13:14

'agree there is a performance element, the dad in particular laughs like the Laughing Policeman (no one naturally laughs like that), and is generally very loud and performance-y in everything he does'

It is fascinating isn't it from a people watching point of view. Loud self proclaimed 'bubbly' people are usually incredibly needy though, hence them holding court in their front garden.

QueeniesCroft · 02/06/2021 13:18

I sit in my front garden, I'm pleased to hear that makes me a "certain type". It would no doubt irritate my very snobbish mother I can't sit in the back garden because it is currently being grazed by my sheep.

I WFH all the time, for both of my businesses and (more obviously) running my croft. I have a large and noisy family and next door has a cow which moos a lot and sounds exactly like a phone on vibrate. I hear none of the noise because I listen to podcasts on my noise-cancelling headphones- the bonus is that I'm learning Spanish as I work. If I want complete silence then I put on the headphones but don't play any podcasts.

It is annoying when your peace is shattered, and I do like a quiet work environment, but this problem is easy to solve without any drama.

HoppingPavlova · 02/06/2021 13:19

My mum used to do this. It was so she could talk to people going in/out of houses and cars and those walking along the street. She was extremely social and didn’t understand that not everyone was the same. Good times.....

Bluesheep8 · 02/06/2021 13:24

I wouldn't use the term "council" but I do agree it's "common"

Why is it common to sit in your front garden though?Confused

RosaBudDrood · 02/06/2021 13:26

This reply has been deleted

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FuriousCheekyFucker · 02/06/2021 13:26

OP, you need to be careful, or you'll be having a few ghosts coming to visit you this Christmas.

PussGirl · 02/06/2021 13:29

I think it's awful to be watching everyone going past & having them watch me - I don't like living my life on view & I'm not nosy regarding other people & I certainly do not want to be chatting to people who walk by

hparkins · 02/06/2021 13:30

can you not just buy a fan and shut your window?

Fluffytheevil1 · 02/06/2021 13:31

My NDN has her family round most of the day In the back and another neighbour has hers in the front. They do it every time the sun is out. Can’t say it bothers me. I don’t really hear them and the dog is so used to them that she doesn’t even bark anymore.

KarensChoppyGob · 02/06/2021 13:33

@FuriousCheekyFucker

OP, you need to be careful, or you'll be having a few ghosts coming to visit you this Christmas.
Please explain?
JediGnot · 02/06/2021 13:33

@Lottielovescake

It’s their property, let them enjoy it!
That logic works the other way as well though - OP's house is his property and they should let him enjoy that!
NanaNorasNaughtyKnickers · 02/06/2021 13:34

@Bluesheep8

I wouldn't use the term "council" but I do agree it's "common"

Why is it common to sit in your front garden though?Confused

It just seems friendly to me.

I'm guessing that in some communities it has historic associations with back-to-back housing, or other places that don't have gardens, which would be occupied by poorer people.

bluebell34567 · 02/06/2021 13:37

havent rtft.
some people enjoy being heard by everyone, like attention seekers.
they are inconsiderate. they may be sick people around who needs quiet or wfh.
i am sure they can communicate in a quieter way like civilized people.

bluebell34567 · 02/06/2021 13:38

there may be

LucilleTheVampireBat · 02/06/2021 13:39

I wouldn't use the term "council" but I do agree it's "common

Why? What is "common"? Please define what is "common" about which garden you sit in (and what common means).

rabbitcow · 02/06/2021 13:42

@Bluesheep8

I wouldn't use the term "council" but I do agree it's "common"

Why is it common to sit in your front garden though?Confused

What does "common" really mean, anyway? Aren't we mostly all commoners?
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