What is MN consensus on WIBU about neighbours and bbq's

[Crazyhouse123]

NDN, we are semi they are ndn but not the attached side. I have always got on well with them but don't see them too often since kids are older...when they were younger we would babysit for each other. All teenager now and life moves on but chat and catch up when we see each other.

In the summer they have started having bbq's regularly. Their bbq is right next to the fence our side and these are standard 3 bed semi's so not massive gardens. Whenever they have the bbq it stinks of paraffin and they are really smoky. Thing is they have these bbq's in the middle of the afternoon...I have just been out for an hour and have come back to a house full of bbq smoke (windows left open) and my washing is on the line. Even if I had been in they would still light it with my washing out.

Not sure what the mn consensus is on this. I'm not going to say anything to them, I like them and don't want to cause any issues, but am I right to be a little peed off that yet again everything stinks of their bbq?

I know I know, if I'm not going to say anything then iabu for that, but still is it generally considered impolite to light a bbq in the middle of a lovely day like today when everyone else is in gardens and there is washing out?

@Xyzzzzz

I’m probably in the minority here but I think they’re rude for not telling you so you could take your washing down. Mine tend to let me know and I then take it down.

I do wish my neighbours would do that. They do not know how to get a bBQ going - smoke billows into my garden, I cannot sit out while they scorch half raw cheapo beefburgers (I was enjoying a peaceful time under my apple tree) on the hottest day of the year. They have moved in since the end of last year and already they have cut a hedge in March when birds are nesting used a noisy chipper over a weekend to destroy a lovely flowing cherry decided to reroof their house with brand new red tiles while throwing all the old traditional tiles loudly into a skip - they did not let me know about this major noisy work all last week - and still to come this week. I know they are entitled to reroof their house - but surely a bit of warning - apologise in advance would be civilised. no - I do not like them at all - they are selfish and entitled and I hate barbecues. Op- YANBU

Awww….and the same back to you Merciess.

I love the smell of barbecues, so anytime is a good time for a bbq in my opinion!! make the most of the nice weather when you can as you never know when it's going to change!

@MaMelon

Awww….and the same back to you Merciess.

SO vexed over some BBQ smoke 😂 couldn't be me.

Slightly off-topic, but all the people saying the weather is pants most of the time, where do you live Here (Home Counties) it’s got steadily hotter for longer in the summer months. I always feel like a real moaning Minnie, but it’s really not normal to have 28 degree heat in June in the UK

I always feel like a real moaning Minnie, but it’s really not normal to have 28 degree heat in June in the UK

It is now.

Well yes, but that’s a bad thing.

SO vexed over some BBQ smoke 😂 couldn't be me

Like I give a fuck.

@AvonCallingBarksdale

Slightly off-topic, but all the people saying the weather is pants most of the time, where do you live Here (Home Counties) it’s got steadily hotter for longer in the summer months. I always feel like a real moaning Minnie, but it’s really not normal to have 28 degree heat in June in the UK

No it’s not normal. I personally find it very worrying actually

I would ask them to just let me know so I could bring the laundry in.

but it’s really not normal to have 28 degree heat in June in the UK

It’s not unheard of though. I’m old enough to remember the summer of 1976. It was 28 degrees plus for weeks, not just a day. 1977 was warm too.

I wondered about that, being similarly old enough. I think 1976 was talked about for so long as it was such an anomaly until recent years when I think 1976’s hottest temperature has been surpassed.
The UK doesn’t have the infrastructure for such temperatures - existing homes haven’t been built with frequent heat spells in mind.
One of the trickiest things about getting people to understand the climate crisis is the fact that it’s nigh on impossible to make the link when MSM are telling us that temps of 29 are amazing ☀️.
Anyway, I’ve probably brought the move right down now 😂

Mood not move

We have a very similar scenario to you but we are the bbq'ers. My lovely neighbour just said one day to me 'would it be ok to just text when you are going to light up'. I said 'of course that's fine, I do always check to see if you have washing out before we light up though' and all is fine. That's what I do. They are happy and I didn't mind one bit her asking me.

Once the smell is in my house it doesn't disperse very quickly. There is no wind or breeze at all and I have all windows open.
How does it get into your house if there's no wind or breeze?

Smells travel - they don’t need a breeze, especially if the houses are close together and the gardens are small (ie fairly standard for UK towns and suburbs)

If I were your neighbours and you asked me to let you know when I'd be having a BBQ so you could get your washing in, the only response I would have is "yes, of course!". It's a reasonable request and if they're as nice as you say, I doubt they'd be annoyed about it. In terms of the smell coming into the house, yes it's annoying but you can't expect them to stop have a BBQ, just close your windows.

I think 1976 was talked about for so long as it was such an anomaly until recent years when I think 1976’s hottest temperature has been surpassed.

It has, but 1976 was notable for the consistency of of the high temperatures day after day.

existing homes haven’t been built with frequent heat spells in mind.

Some cope with it better than others. My home is at least 300 years old and it stays lovely and cool in summer. We don’t need fans and we certainly don’t need aircon. I sleep under a 13 tog duvet year round. Disgracefully, Im still under it now, with a fluffy dressing gown on too.

In our street the norm is to have them mid to late afternoon, not have them regularly and to give the neighbours a knock if they've got washing out.

@MaMelon

Smells travel - they don’t need a breeze, especially if the houses are close together and the gardens are small (ie fairly standard for UK towns and suburbs)

But OP said the smell won't go as there's no breeze. If they don't need a breeze to get in why would they need one to leave?

Because it’s held in by the walls and floors and on soft furnishings.