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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Do I say they're being rude or quietly seethe? CF Neighbour

74 replies

HouseIsOnFire · 22/02/2023 16:06

Starting with a TL:DR as it is going to be a long one!

If someone (with a history of CFery) is rude and telling you off one moment and then trying to be friendly the next, do you seethe quietly or point out they're being rude?

AIBU - Tell them they're being rude and you're pissed off, hence not replying
AINBU - Keep quiet and don't engage any more than absolutely necessary, don't escalate it!

I shan't bore people with the back story, but from prior threads, I have an incredibly CF. Main issues outlined here:
www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4707971-aibu-to-not-lend-neighbour-my-car

Since Christmas, I have been steering clear and doing the bare minimum I feel comfortable with i.e. accepting parcels and letting the window cleaner in (he does both of our houses at once).

This was going much better for me, and I had very little contact and so was content with that. Until...

Twice in the last week I have been told off and lectured via text over complete non-issues. I had a surprise visit from a tradesperson, who I let in via shared access at the back. Normally I would always text the street if I know it's happening, but I didn't. I was clearly visible next to tradie at all times and large logo'd van was in front of my house. I let him in and then rushed to get my phone to alert people, was met with a text about how "terrified" neighbour was and how I needed to let them know. I apologised and said I hadn't known they were coming, otherwise I'd forewarn them as I always have done in the past.... and then for the next 30 minutes received sporadic messages telling me I had to give warning and how unreasonable it was of me. When I didn't reply to any of this post apology, the next day was being sent selfies and updates of what they were up to - not normal even before when we were friendlier!

(NB, 2 days later I had a man hammering at my door after midnight, which genuinely terrified me. Turned out to be neighbour had ordered takeaway to wrong address and instead of apologising, told me off for not taking in the food for them!)

Earlier this week they needed something done and texted to ask if it was ok that the person doing it was blocking my drive (and my car) in - this was after they'd already been blocking it in for an hour. I replied it wasn't great, but as long as it was done by 4 when I needed to go out, then not to worry moving it. Received a stream of messages that I don't go out during the day (true I wfh) so don't need my car and so it was no problem for it to be blocked in. Baffling... why ask if you've already decided it's fine!? I didn't reply to any of these, because honestly what is the point?! Then shortly after received texts asking where I was going at 4 and did I have anything nice planned?!

I realise these are petty examples, but they're endless, I've been told off for my empty wheelie bin being put outside their house by the bin lorry, I've been told off for not being in when they've had a parcel delivery. I don't know what to do - do I just straight up ask if they realise they are being so rude? I know that's a Mnet cliche, but do they honestly think you can tell someone off over nothing and be friends in the next breath!?

Thank you for reading so far!

OP posts:
Englishash · 22/02/2023 18:33

Disengage. You're rather enabling this bat- shit behaviour. If someone parks in front of your drive and blocks you in then ask the actual driver to please move it. Feel no guilt for using the shared access as per your right. Refuse their parece la-let another of the crazy crew take them in. Not your problem. Any of it.

Pfeiffle · 22/02/2023 18:42

Agree with only communicating via WhatsApp. If she texts you, copy it to WhatsApp and add your reply. If she asks you to text, tell her your phone is playing up and only works with apps. She may try more face to face contact so a Ring doorbell would be useful to minimise this.

CaveatmTOR · 22/02/2023 18:43

I agree with above. You are handing this nutcase a gift every time you communicate. Stop. Today. Now.

Scotslass171 · 22/02/2023 18:47

Sounds a bit creepy

Scotslass171 · 22/02/2023 18:48

He/she sounds creepy!!!;

Emotionalsupportviper · 22/02/2023 18:52

(NB, 2 days later I had a man hammering at my door after midnight, which genuinely terrified me. Turned out to be neighbour had ordered takeaway to wrong address and instead of apologising, told me off for not taking in the food for them!)

If this happens again, accept it and eat it.
Say you thought it was a gesture from someone who had upset you and wanted to apologise or deny all knowledge

WestendVBroadway · 22/02/2023 18:57

@HouseIsOnFire I think the voting results may be a bit skewed as your options seem to be arse about face.

tiredwardsister · 22/02/2023 19:07

My neighbour and next door neighbour but one went to war with each other, (police endlessly involved, court case, restraining order you name it the whole 9 yards). One had very significant MH problems the other was just a twat. If the later had stopped winding up engaging with the former half the problems that then ensued wouldn't have happened. This is your only solution DONT ENGAGE just smile and wave if you see her but basically ignore anything else.

Mrsherdwick · 22/02/2023 19:09

How did your new windows get cracked ( just being incredibly nosey)!!

yeetingbird · 22/02/2023 19:18

.

Hodge00079 · 22/02/2023 19:18

Such hypocrisy. Being terrified about workman but expecting you to answer the door at midnight.

Think you have been restrained. Very cheeky/rude about blocking you in.

Taking parcel in is a favour not a given. If my neighbour had a go at me I would say as much and wouldn’t be taking anymore in.

How is bin your fault?

Probably wasting time but if you want to distance yourself I would say why. Otherwise going to say I don’t know what I did

HouseIsOnFire · 22/02/2023 19:31

Emotionalsupportviper · 22/02/2023 18:52

(NB, 2 days later I had a man hammering at my door after midnight, which genuinely terrified me. Turned out to be neighbour had ordered takeaway to wrong address and instead of apologising, told me off for not taking in the food for them!)

If this happens again, accept it and eat it.
Say you thought it was a gesture from someone who had upset you and wanted to apologise or deny all knowledge

I was busy barricading the hall thinking someone was trying to break it :/

OP posts:
HouseIsOnFire · 22/02/2023 19:32

WestendVBroadway · 22/02/2023 18:57

@HouseIsOnFire I think the voting results may be a bit skewed as your options seem to be arse about face.

I should have just not added voting to be fair! Or disabled it? I don't know how the voting works!

OP posts:
HouseIsOnFire · 22/02/2023 19:34

Mrsherdwick · 22/02/2023 19:09

How did your new windows get cracked ( just being incredibly nosey)!!

Hahaha nothing exciting, must have been a bad batch of glass, but every single (14 of them!) panes had a crack, scratch or chip on them on the instalation. Window company tried to claim that was fine so long as unnoticeable from 3m away, which was fun! They're all replaced now, after I reminded them about consumer rights!

OP posts:
HouseIsOnFire · 22/02/2023 19:36

Hodge00079 · 22/02/2023 19:18

Such hypocrisy. Being terrified about workman but expecting you to answer the door at midnight.

Think you have been restrained. Very cheeky/rude about blocking you in.

Taking parcel in is a favour not a given. If my neighbour had a go at me I would say as much and wouldn’t be taking anymore in.

How is bin your fault?

Probably wasting time but if you want to distance yourself I would say why. Otherwise going to say I don’t know what I did

I don't know how the bin is my fault but I wasn't about to ask! It was emptied at 1030ish and moved back at noon, so not even like I'd left it there for days

I am just going to have to say something next time something happens (resigned myself to that bein WHEN something happens, not IF) and cut contact then. Phasing it out and grey rocking hasn't helped!

OP posts:
Maray1967 · 22/02/2023 19:38

She’s behaving like she’s your mother - telling you off and then expecting you to like her. Madness.
You need to respond firmly but politely. In response to the comments about why it was fine to block you in all day, you could have replied’ I beg your pardon? I don’t need to explain to anyone when I am going out or where I will be going !!! The vehicle needs to have left my drive by 4. ‘

Greenpolkadot · 22/02/2023 19:42

Change your phone number

Pepsipepsi · 22/02/2023 20:13

@HouseIsOnFire i think people are wrongly concluding that your neighbour is normal but being rude or diliberately being annoying. I think they sound a little bit dim, live by rigid rules themselves but don't realise that everyone else makes it up as they go along.

You need to be clear and direct, these people don't understand hints or metaphorical phrases. I. E. tell her "The way I live in my house and having visitors over is completely reasonable use of the shared route in daytime hours. Yes I'm usually in at X time but not always. You don't need to comment or question my comings and goings. You live your life and I'll live mine. I don't want or need the constant texts on my routine. Thank you."

Then if that doesn't work, block and ignore in person. You can't argue with crazy!! Christ you'll have years of this otherwise. Takemit from someone who has experience of living with similar personalities in God forsaken houseshares.

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 22/02/2023 21:06

You've only been there since June and have had that much interaction with her?? That's bonkers; i assumed you had lived near one another for ages.

My next-door neighbours have been there six years and I've had about four conversations with the woman and three with the man, and those were very brief outdoors in passing.

After previous experiences elsewhere, my idea of a good neighbour is one who leaves me alone and doesn't have my phone number!

AcrossthePond55 · 22/02/2023 21:27

I'd probably take a mixed approach. I'd ignore what didn't 'call for' a response, ie 'let's get together' or general complaints about my bins, my yard, tradesmen on property, whatever. But I'd send short 'this is final, no discussion needed' responses to those that will mean I have to deal with them less such as "You weren't home to take in our parcel!" and "Why didn't you take in our food?" would get "I see. Well in order to make our lives more simple I will no longer accept your parcels or food deliveries. That way you'll know to be home to receive them yourselves". To the 'Is it fine to block your drive?' I'd respond with a simple "No, you may not block my drive at any time".

Then I'd completely ignore any following 'tirade'. Or I'd post it on MN for us all to laugh at.

Emotionalsupportviper · 23/02/2023 07:41

HouseIsOnFire · 22/02/2023 19:31

I was busy barricading the hall thinking someone was trying to break it :/

TBH in real life, I would have been barricading myself in, too!

Nimrod12 · 25/02/2023 07:56

Why on earth are you texting people in your street. Are you the commissioner of the neighbourhood watch? If not then try keeping yourself to yourself. Methinks you've made a rod for your own back. Tbh it just comes across a bit weird that you would need to text everyone anyways???? Feeling pretty thankful that our neighbours are just that, neighbours and not one of them is a self made security guard.

MargotMoon · 07/03/2023 13:23

How's it going OP? Hope you've managed to get her under control!

I'd be tempted to text back STOP TELLING ME WHAT TO DO!!!! every time she messaged me. Or going round there and screaming it in her face

HouseIsOnFire · 07/03/2023 13:42

I haven't been told off for any misdemeanor for at least a week, so going well!

I think I've been removed from parcel duty, there was a text on the group chat lamenting parcels stuck the other side which is a shop that only opens every couple of weeks 🤣
I did think I was getting an apology, but turns out they were only coming to ask to borrow something incredibly niche, which unsurprisingly I didn't have, rather than go to shop 10 mins away to get their own samples...

OP posts:
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