Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Next door neighbour watching me

65 replies

GLAD67 · 25/10/2021 23:33

My next door moved in a few weeks ago. However, when i was in the garden i noticed she was taking photos of me from her kitchen window. I find this very strange and uncomfortable. To make matters worse i have right of way through her garden and dont want a photoshoot everytime i am in my garden minding my own buisness.

OP posts:
shouldistop · 25/10/2021 23:37

What were you doing in the garden at the time? Are you sure she was taking photos? She could have been holding the phone up because she was video calling someone.

PersonaNonGarter · 25/10/2021 23:45

This is going to need a diagram, I can just tell.

Original poster
GLAD67 · 26/10/2021 01:20

I like in terreaced housing, so the houses are close togther she is end terraced i am middle. I was in my own garden standing by the gate that seperates the two properties and allows me right of way. I was moving things such as garden toys in bags that were by the gate into the shed that is located futher down the garden. I made several trips back and forth and felt like somebody was watching me and as i looked up thats when i saw the flashes (several flashes) and a phone pointing out of her kitchen window. The only part of my body that she could have taken is of my face as there is a 5ft gate there. Which is even more weird, why do you need a picture of your neighbours face.

OP posts:
Marvellousmadness · 26/10/2021 01:21

Diagram.
And ... are you sure she was taking photos? Maybe she was on a call
Or taking a selfie?

Original poster
GLAD67 · 26/10/2021 01:26

I have questioned if this was innocent and was thinking why would somebody need to take my picture and i was over thinking it. As i did not have my glasses on either so i could not see her clearly but she definatley was taking pitcures in my direction and there is only a gate there. However, she had a parcel the other day but she wasnt it and i took it in for her and immediatley reconised the name it was somebody i went to school with and she was rotten.

OP posts:
Original poster
GLAD67 · 26/10/2021 01:30

I am just going to try my best to ignore her and not let her make me feel uncomfortable in my own home. The whole situation is weird and i just dont feel comfortable.

OP posts:
ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 26/10/2021 01:30

you need to start taking pictures of her!
as soon as you see her do it whip out your phone and take photos!

and yes to diagram.

Original poster
GLAD67 · 26/10/2021 01:43

Its just an akward situation to be in because i have to walk or drive past her house everyday worrying that she is taking my pictures. Paranoid is an understatement, everytime i am in the garden has she been taking my pictures?. When i am walking the dog?. Does she have a whole album of them. I have noticed an older lady that visit that i pressume is her mum and she just stares at me.

OP posts:
Original poster
GLAD67 · 26/10/2021 01:46

I dont need to take her pictures, i dont want to. I have not been very well either over recent months. So my guessing is that she is comparing herself and me being a state is makin her feel better about herself. I dont even want to take the bins past her house or walk the dogs. Anxiety is in overdrive.

OP posts:
Original poster
GLAD67 · 26/10/2021 01:56

What makes it worse is i know she knows
she is making me uncomfortable. As ever since she took my pictures and i saw her doing it, which she clearly knew i saw her. i have tried spend as little time in the garden as possible because i dont want a photoshoot when i am ill. And after i recognised her name and had to take her parcel round to her house, i know she knows she makes me feel uncomfortable because she smiled and said hello then my name. Knowing full well shes being taking pictures of me, which i have no proof of. I feel very parnoid and that i am blowing things out of proportion.

OP posts:
ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 26/10/2021 01:56

I meant it as a way of turning it back on her - if you reflect her behavior she might just stop. but I was half joking

Can you not talk to her and find out what the heck is going?
I think you should. And ask her to stop.
And find out what legal rights you have regarding peeping, harassment, stalking, antisocial behaviour or whatever this is classified as.

sorry you are suffering. her behaviour is weird and concerning

Original poster
GLAD67 · 26/10/2021 02:01

No i 100% knew what you meant but it would just feel wrong. Why would you take pictures of your neighbours, i dont have it in me. I have thought about going around but i feel like she is just going to deny it. Yes is is 100% harrassment what she is doing and if i catch her again i am going to report it straight away because she is probably expecting me to just keep putting up with it.

OP posts:
Original poster
GLAD67 · 26/10/2021 02:04

I am just glad i have got this off my chest.

OP posts:
KloppsTeeth · 26/10/2021 02:04

Get some of these.

Next door neighbour watching me
Next door neighbour watching me
BooseysMom · 26/10/2021 02:43

Something just occurred to me..she might be taking photos because she thinks you're off work and claiming benefits. Some people are totally obsessed with other people's lives and she might have got it in her head every time she sees you going in and out the garden and then if she knows you've been ill.

Yeah def. harassment.

Undertheoldlindentree · 26/10/2021 03:12

Do you think she recognised or half-recognised you from school and was taking a photo to send to another old school-friend to make sure?

WTF475878237NC · 26/10/2021 03:18

Was she a school bully? Sometimes they grow up to be just as bad!

LaurenKelsey · 26/10/2021 03:31

@Undertheoldlindentree

Do you think she recognised or half-recognised you from school and was taking a photo to send to another old school-friend to make sure?
This. I agree this is a real possibility.
SkiingIsHeaven · 26/10/2021 03:40

Do you look like a celebrity? Maybe she thinks that you are one.

RainbowBriteUk · 26/10/2021 07:55

If she's still nasty she might have been taking yor photo to show to another mean girl from your school days. Some people are arseholes their entire lIves.

BrickingIt44 · 26/10/2021 08:11

Does she know you've got right of way through the garden? Could she have thought you were trespassing and took photos as proof?

Bluntness100 · 26/10/2021 10:22

Are you sure she wasn’t just taking pics of the back garden and you weren’t in shot?

FleasInMyKnees · 26/10/2021 10:27

She may still be a Billy and has posted a picture of you to old schoolmfriends, it may be innocent. Unfortunately you wont know until you ask her. Do not take in any more parcels for her. If she points a camera at you wave at it. Do you live alone or can your partner have a word with her.

KrisAkabusi · 26/10/2021 10:38

And after i recognised her name and had to take her parcel round to her house, i know she knows she makes me feel uncomfortable because she smiled and said hello then my name.

I'm going to be honest, this sounds very paranoid of you. I can't see how her smiling and saying hello in any way shows that she knows she's making you uncomfortable. It sounds like she's, well, saying hello.

I think you're going to have to ask her if she was taking photos of you. As others have said, it might be completely innocent.

HunkyPunk · 26/10/2021 10:46

If she points a camera at you wave at it.

Try and relax a bit. I know it’s easier said than done, especially if you suffer from anxiety, but if she is taking your photo, she’s behaving very oddly. You just carry on as normal, don’t let her see she’s bothering you. You’re giving her far more head space than she merits, so as above, I would give her a cheery wave if you happen to notice her and try not to think about her otherwise.