To be sick of the neighbours looking into our garden?

[Wannakisstheteacher]

Background: house is rented so fence cannot be changed.

We live in a semi. Garden fence between us is a chain link about waist high across 2/3 of the garden and a wooden 6ft fence for the other 1/3 closest to the house where the patios are. NDN have a table in the garden and eat there every night in the summer. AIBU to think it’s really fucking rude that they’ve pushed the table right up against the chain link part of the fence so they are sat there looking into our garden? Why would they not have their table on the patio where the wooden part is so we both have some privacy or at least not right up against the fence?!

It’s pathetic, I know. But I just hate going into the garden in the evening as they just sit there with their endless stream of guests, and watch everything we do. It’s just so awkward.

You notice their 'endless stream of guests' which suggests you're watching them as much as they're watching you.

You have my deepest sympathy, the feeling of being in a goldfish bowl would be my worst nightmare. Have you seen the Ikea privacy screen? It's designed for a balcony but equally useful in a garden. www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/slaettoe-privacy-screen-outdoor-black-brown-stained-60285335/

@Wannakisstheteacher

Titling umbrellas are a good shout. It just feels really invasive. It’s clearly my problem but I just can’t act naturally when they and their guests (4 this evening) are sat watching me.

It really isn't. Your neighbours are arseholes.

If you don't like it, then move to a detached house in the country! It's their garden, they arnt rude, they can sit where they like and use it how they like.

I can lend you my 2 year old. She will love talking to them constantly and screaming randomly.

I'd just buy a cheap screen that can be put in place without causing and nails to be used etc. It may not be nice to look at but they will get the message. Job done

Similar problem with neighbours gawping into my parents lounge from their new bay window ("previously 'flush' ) which jutted out at side of my parents still flush window iyswim. They flat refused have the fence higher between the two front windows do my uncle went and got a massive rubber type plant in a pot and cemented it in between the two windows on my parents side of the low fence so now when they looked out of that side window they could just see the plant and not straight into my dps lounge.

I would just collect the washing in tbh and break the awkwardness with a cherry hello and a comment about the lovely warm weather and how lovely to be eating outside, what's on the menu..You are going to be there 5 years so might as well try to get along..a bit..even a tiny bit..

Get a powerful sprinkler?!
I agree it sounds awkward. I'd go back to your landlord and say how its bothering you.

invite the poster of the thread with the hearing impaired partner who thinks it's reasonable to listen to sport radio full blast round to sit in your garden. Problem solved.

Omg this would annoy me do much! I can't believe the number of people who have nothing better to do than stare at their neighbours. Seems to be a very common complaint on Mumsnet in the summer. I sometimes regret that I don't have a garden,but when I read about yet another load of nosy neighbours,I feel glad that I only have a relatively private balcony!

Seems like people in general are getting more entitled/ less considerate/ even not so subtly rather aggressive? I'm going with the bamboo option myself good luck.

Some of these on your side.

@ThinWomansBrain

invite the poster of the thread with the hearing impaired partner who thinks it's reasonable to listen to sport radio full blast round to sit in your garden. Problem solved.

Snigger

Background: house is rented so fence cannot be changed.

People keep saying this on MN.

Of course you can put some form of privacy screening up on your side your home.

You don't have to do building works with David Hasselhoff singing on top.

@mumwon that is a genuinely plausibly deniable tactic

@VerticalHorizon

You notice their 'endless stream of guests' which suggests you're watching them as much as they're watching you.

She can't really miss them if they're sitting right there everytime she goes outside. I suppose she could wear a blindfold when she goes out in her garden, but it's not so practical..

I know, i have the solution - human blinkers

Reminds of that recent thread where someone attached a sail to the side of their house so they didn’t have to see the neighbours who had moved in next door

I know, i have the solution - human blinkers

Patent it!
It's the future!

Reminds me of my friend who invented the neck brace. Since then, he's never looked back!

Wind chimes!

@VerticalHorizon

I know, i have the solution - human blinkers

Patent it!
It's the future!

Reminds me of my friend who invented the neck brace. Since then, he's never looked back!

Sadly someone's got there before me. Like when I thought it would be original to climb Mt Everest. Waste of an afternoon that was.

@Wauden

Wind chimes!

No chance! I've been blaming the dog for that.

Sadly someone's got there before me. Like when I thought it would be original to climb Mt Everest. Waste of an afternoon that was.

That's another one for me to nick!

Sit beside the chain link fence at lunchtime doing the same thing, even if it is only at the weekend. They’ll either see the problem or they won’t.

@Wannakisstheteacher

Titling umbrellas are a good shout. It just feels really invasive. It’s clearly my problem but I just can’t act naturally when they and their guests (4 this evening) are sat watching me.

Here's where I am a jerk. I'd walk over, start talking to them and then take food from plates to sample.

However, I'm an ass. :)