AIBU to be irritated by anonymous notes from neighbour?

[TinfoilTwat]

I live in the suburbs. About 6 gardens back onto ours, and another 6 on the cul-de-sac. Every once in a while I get a spidery handwritten note in my letterbox, "Dear Neighbour..." and it goes on to tell me that I have an invasive species of plant growing in one of my trees and explains how and why I should remove it, signed "Your Neighbour"

Now I don't mind being told I have an invasive species in my garden and I quite happily removed it. But for some reason it really pisses me off that it's done anonymously. Why not just say "From Bob and Barbara at number 7"??

I got another one today, "Dear Neighbour... I'm sorry to tell you that your invasive plant has come back..." and apparently I need to dig it out at the root this time. "Signed, Your Neighbour".

Also they get the name of the plant wrong - they say Milkweed when they mean Mothweed.

AIBU to feel annoyed by these anonymous notes?

The neighbour is apprehensive that you are going to start a fight and they think they can avoid that by sending the note anonymously.

Yes. And this is what is so annoying about anonymous notes imo. They imply that you are such a rough, scary neighbour that you may start of fight over a simple, reasonable request. It's quite insulting when you think about it!

I'd say it's clear the neighbour is worried that they are frightened of repercussions if they sign their name, especially if the writing looks like it might be someone of more mature years (and potentially feeling more vulnerable). I don't think instructions on what to do is patronising, necessarily. Some people have a) no idea of what invasive species are, b) no idea how to get rid of them c) imagine they will have to fork out hundreds they can't afford to get it professionally removed.

It doesn't sound like the notes rude in tone but more concerned. Ultimately if you do have an invasive species then they are trying to be helpful (and stop it spreading to surrounding properties including their own).

Perhaps they are scared of you?

Also I don't think it a reflection on the receiver being scary, just that the sender doesn't know how it may be taken and is erring on the side of caution. It's more likely the sender hardly knows you personally at all.

You might be though

I don’t think you even need to get a video doorbell. Just put up a sign saying “smile, you’re on camera”. That should do the trick. I’d be annoyed too.

Did you read the OP?

Which houses can see that tree?
I'd be very tempted to make a placard, on poles, pointing towards those houses that says IT'S MOTHWEED. STOP SENDING ANONYMOUS LETTERS.
If you can't identify which house, just move it round a bit until you've flashed all the neighbours with it.

They’re being rude not introducing themselves. They’re asking for a favour. I can’t imagine sending anonymous letters to a neighbour asking them to do something.

Nice one @Twiglets1 - sexism AND ageism in one sentence.

What a blinkered little viewpoint. I suppose life's simpler when you've closed your mind so firmly that you needn't let any new ideas in.

You could always put a stop to it by sorting out the mothweed once and for all.

I sort of understand the anonymity. I'm currently having a terrible time with my neighbour and thought we had a decent relationship where we could resolve things face to face.
Turns out, nope. Asking them to get their dog to stop barking is apparently against its rights and I have no right to ask them to do anything in their own home etc. With loads of swearing thrown in.
I guess your neighbour is worried that you'll kick off and it's easier when you think that the note could have cone from any of your neighbours. Problem may get resolved without confrontation amd everyone trots along happily. Now I'm stuck next to barking dogs and aggressive neighbours.

Why would that be then? An old dear ? Female ?

Good idea.

What is it with these cowardly people? Why can't they just have an honest friendly chat with a neighbour?

Why would they be apprehensive about identifying themselves. From the previous note op says they removed the invasive plant so experience should tell the anonymous neighbor that op is a reasonable person.
I think they're embarrassed to identify themselves after first having contacted her anonymously so now don't feel able to sign their name.
Op has proved she's ready to listen from her past actions, no need for anyone to feel scared.

Did you read the OP? Literally told you what it is.

Maybe just do some weeding? pull it up by the roots and burn it.
assuming you're in NZ where this stuff is

Stick a note on your door saying “no anonymous notes…. Please sign your name before posting” then a big smiley face 😊

This just gave me a good chuckle. I'd do this as well.

They do sound OTT. That said, having gone through a falling -out with neighbours where we live now, I'd just crack on, deal with it and ignore how petty it seems. Life is too short to make enemies with people who live close by. If you were never going to see them or encounter them again however, that would be different.....

YANBU to be annoyed. Ignore any anonymous notes is what I would do.

But you're still assuming the note writer is old. And compounding it by assuming "elderly"= "too much time on their hands"
Anyway, HQ have deleted your overtly ageist insult so hopefully you'll think twice before doing it again.

We rented next door to one of the 'notes through the door ' types about completely trivial rubbish-

UABU to not remove it properly, and let it grow to the extent it’s in your tree and visible to your neighbours, and seriously risking invading their gardens.

Moth weed is a rampant poisonous invasive species with many wind blown seeds, that traps large numbers of butterflies and moths by their proboscis as they try to feed, starving them to death (also called ‘the cruel vine’ for this reason). It sounds like your neighbour reminding you politely and trying to do the right thing. I’d be a lot less polite at this point. Maybe it would preferable to you if they’d put their name, but to be honest your behaviour doesn’t seem that neighbourly so maybe they are cautious about doing this?