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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbour has stolen my clogs

239 replies

MongoAkimboAGoGo · 30/07/2021 08:26

I had a decorative pair of clogs outside my front door and this morning they have disappeared and a pair of old trainers put in their place. I only have 3 neighbours - I messaged the one I thought had done it saying “haha great joke, can I have my clogs back now and you can have your trainers back” and she read the message, put a laughing face on it but never replied. I went around kept it friendly, said my kids had found it very amusing but seriously, can I have them back now and she made out she didn’t know what I was talking about but was clearly trying to hold in laughter. I just want them back. I never found it funny to begin with, I was just trying to stay light hearted but I’m getting annoyed now.

OP posts:
AnneFuckingKirrin · 31/07/2021 07:09

Hilarious.

AnneFuckingKirrin · 31/07/2021 07:09
Hmm
hopeishere · 31/07/2021 07:10

That's really mean. Just ignore her and the pranks until she gets fed up and gives them back.

If she starts with "it was just a joke" keep repeating "I don't find it funny" until she stops doing it.

lovelybitofsquirrell · 31/07/2021 07:11

@Nocutenamesleft

It’s theft

Ring the police now. She’s taken something off you.

Or just be firm and say. You’ve got 24 hrs to replace them. If they aren’t back within the time frame I will be contacting the police.

I would love to hear the 999 call on this one.

Added comedy if the police officer thinks DOGS initially as I did

BananaMilkshakeWithCream · 31/07/2021 07:12

This is really bizarre

lannistunut · 31/07/2021 07:14
Sad

I think you should get your own camera and stop having anything to do with this person.

I can see why your neighbour fell out with her.

This meets the definition of harassment. What an absolute dickhead.

thesunwillout · 31/07/2021 07:36

Omg she's raving mad.

How bloody tedious.

CovidCorvid · 31/07/2021 07:46

@MongoAkimboAGoGo

The cctv does not pick up my front garden unfortunately, it did pick up on her walking past his house but you can’t see where she goes. Anyway a pair of baby shoes have appeared now where the cloggs used to be.
Well I’d certainly be binning all the shoes. She sounds like a stupid twat.
MumW · 31/07/2021 07:49

Anyway a pair of baby shoes have appeared now where the cloggs used to be.
Do your clogs have plants in them? If so, put some plants in them?

Can you set up some kind of prank back? Not sure what but I'm thinking along the level of the 'student balancing a bucket of water on a half open door'.

lannistunut · 31/07/2021 07:52

Oh no don't do anything back, it'll just escalate.

RandomMess · 31/07/2021 08:00

That's really upsetting. I would order a ring doorbell.

It's just not funny.

GoWalkabout · 31/07/2021 08:02

Chill and ignore.

notanothertakeaway · 31/07/2021 08:04

You would lose the moral high ground if you joined in or retaliated

How frustrating

Still1nLove · 31/07/2021 08:10

I’d you really don’t find it funny then have a talk with her and explain that although you understand it’s a joke, it makes you anxious and she is actually upsetting you. Maybe she doesn’t realise how seriously this is effecting you.

Atalune · 31/07/2021 08:10

It’s a shame you can’t roll with it. It’s funny!!

HummingBeeBox · 31/07/2021 08:11

Definitely ignore and stay calm, adult and repeat 'I don't find this funny.'

I don't know if I could resist retaliating but it will only escalate

longwayoff · 31/07/2021 08:16

This is mumsnet. The only solution is to park across her drive.

crochetmonkey74 · 31/07/2021 08:25

Op can you go round and really clearly state that you understand it was a joke but you want the clogs back as they were a gift. Do you feel able to do that?

Jojoanna · 31/07/2021 08:30

How annoying , she must be very bored

LynetteScavo · 31/07/2021 08:32

@Atalune - hell up out here, what is the correct response when rolling with a "joke" like this?

Did she swap the trainers for the baby shoes or had you moved the trainers OP?

LynetteScavo · 31/07/2021 08:33

help us out here @Atalune*

I've lost my sense of humour and ability to type today

RitaFires · 31/07/2021 08:39

Do you have any local Facebook groups for the area, maybe a Neighbourhood Watch? I would let it be known that you are distraught that someone stole a personal item that was a gift from your parents from outside your front door and now you feel unsafe in your home. There is no point getting in to a prank war your neighbour would only enjoy it. I would be telling all and sundry about how the theft is of a small item but it has really upset you and you don't know whether to report it to the police because you're actually considering selling and moving away as a result of this incident and you don't want a report of crime to potentially lower the value of your house. Extra points if you can look lethargic and ashen faced and mention to other neighbours that you thought this was a nice, safe area to raise kids, and warn them not to leave things of value outside by the front door. She did this to get a reaction out of you so give her one she hasn't anticipated. Or just report it to the police.

AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken · 31/07/2021 08:39

@MysweetAudrina

Father's Christmas trousers just finished me off. I think she seems like an amusing neighbour. It's not causing any harm and her pranks are mildly funny.
I agree. Completely harmless and not even that regular an occurrence to be that annoying. My kids would love it. I’d have to laugh if it was that harmless and amused my kids.
CarolinaWeeper · 31/07/2021 08:42

Op can you go round and really clearly state that you understand it was a joke but you want the clogs back as they were a gift

I would do that, or if you don't feel you can say it then write it down and put it through her letterbox. You understand it was a joke. You don't find it funny. You're upset as they were a gift from your parents. You want them returned immediately. You don't want her to touch any of your property again.

At least that way you have some evidence that she's been asked to stop if she continues. She sounds pathetic and ridiculous.

DrSbaitso · 31/07/2021 08:42

Baby shoes now?

She's thriving on the defiance of it now. "You can't tell me what to do..." She won't stop until SHE no longer thinks it's funny.

I really don't know what to suggest. Maybe go round twice a day and just ask, very flatly, "Can I have my clogs back now? They were a gift from my parents." Nothing more, no hello or how are you, just that. And if she denies it, leave without saying anything more and just go back again at the next set time.

Take the baby shoes and anything else that appears. Don't bin them (you have every right to but you can't give her anything she might weaponise) but don't react to them. Just make them disappear wordlessly.

When the clogs return (I do think they will eventually) you can leave them on her doorstep.

Sadly, you're probably right that she's clinging to the brief comment that your kids found the Christmas stuff funny. It's the sort of thing I wouldn't mind from a good friend who returned everything once they'd got the "oh shit!" reaction but I sure as fuck don't want from someone I barely know and who doesn't know when to quit.