Why are the here? What is this?

[OhnoItHappeningAgain]

Hi, there is a couple who keep walking onto my driveway as part of their walk, they stand there loitering, come right up to my garage, walk around car, and look through windows etc. They then go. They look abit strange, and this is scaring my young dcs who sometimes play there, and become startled. They are older and I think harmless enough, but we don't like it. It is odd behaviour as my driveway is enclosed and there's no walkway or anything, it is a dead end if that makes sense.
What do I do? Because they are older I feel abit awkward saying anything, but at the same time it is trespassing on private property, they have no business being here.

Yeah, they seem to stare at our house and also a nbrs, almost like in a trance. I was at window and opened it; i didnt get a reaction, they didn't notice!

@wordler no gate just like a lot of new builds.

Christ, how do people function in the world if they let random strangers come sniffing around their house and daren't ask them what they are doing?

If it's a new estate are they maybe buying a house with the same layout as yours and your neighbours houses? They are maybe having a nosey while they wait to move in. Some people are strange.

Possibly the couple are struggling. Although it seems a bit strange that they are both like that. If you know what time they come round, be outside sweeping your front path. They will either tell you they love your curtains or run off in horror.

@RenoDakota i would have done but we're not talking about a group of teenagers here. This is a little old couple who my nbr whose property they also stand on said they are ""harmless" which made me think i must be overreacting. They remind me of the little old couple from the film Dirty Dancing, the Selners or similar i think they were called!

@Dangereux yes exactly what if they're having issues, i feel it is a delicate balance. I have a feeling they'll chat as maybe a bit lonely/lost. I don't want them on my property but don't want to upset a little old couple!

@BigFloppa def not buying. I don't know where they live, but must be nearby.

Yes I sort of see what you mean. Sorry for being snippy.
But find some courage and just have a word. Good luck.

Why do you class asking someone what they’re doing mooching round your front garden as “awful”?
Are you completely unassertive in other areas of your life as well?

Thank you @RenoDakota it's my fault for not explaining properly. I will ask them in a nice way if they're lost. I have a feeling they'll just say no, just out for a walk and start chatting! I may need to spell it up, will ens up upsetting them!

I still say classic JW behaviour. Especially, as they are doing it at your neighbours too. We get them round here, usually elderly retired ones during the day when most people at work and school. They hang around on people's driveways chatting to each other, staring at houses, looking a bit odd. Sadly, you have to be blunt with these people. I usually shout "no thank you" out of the window and they shuffle off.

I totally get your point @Hannahsbananas but if they are doing this in the first place i doubt their response will be what i'm looking for! Yes i am generally a one to keepnl the peace. I'll update with what happens when i speak to them

@StevieNicksfan yes i think you're right. They wear dark colours, they don't knock or post leaflets, as you say retired. I'm not sure what they have to gain by staring at houses in a trance, so strange.

I don't understand the point of this thread. If you want to know what this couple are doing, you need to ask them, not randoms on the internet.

I also have no idea why you would feel awful asking strangers who are peering into your house what the hell they are doing. They're the ones trespassing and in the wrong, not you.

Aliens trying to blend in 👽

I most probably wouldn’t think much of it at first but it’s definitely odd that they keep coming back, I don’t know if I’d be brave enough to say anything as I’m too much of a wimp!

Go up to them and ask why they keep walking up your drive?

It's such a bloody obvious thing to do I can't fathom why you haven't.

@OhnoItHappeningAgain Are they smartly dressed? JWs are always smartly dressed (often look a bit old fashioned). They no longer post booklets through the door and don't always knock, just hang around passing the time. They do stand back and look at houses and stand at the door for ages, even when they think no ones home. I know it probably sounds like I'm obsessed with them but I do have a very unpleasant history with them.

You don't have to be rude or confrontational when asking them. Just walk out with a smile on your face 'hiya, I've noticed you keep looking at our house, can I help you with anything' then when they respond, just say ' we'd rather you didn't if you don't mind' see you around'

Even though I don't enjoy confrontation you really have to just go out and shout "can I help you" if they start trying to push Jesus at you just be polite and say you on are a work meeting or something and shut the door.
If they are sweet old dears of which I have many as neighbours they still don't come and stand by my car on my driveway.
It wpukd be unusual for both to be suffering with dementia.
I had a bloke loitering the other day and he was a lost delivery driver trying to see the house number.

What was on the land before the new builds? Eg it could be that it’s the school they went to, the hospital where they had their child, the office they met in?

Well, have a think about it....they ring the bell, brandishing leaflets- you look out, see they are Witnesses and you ignore them or open the door and say no thanks before they can open their mouths.

They loiter about and look weird so you have to come out and talk to them- bingo.

Not saying you shouldn't ask them, but it sounds to me like a clever technique to get you to initiate a conversation.

And you're a new build, first occupants- the entire estate is fresh meat.

I think you got my comment mixed up with @NowZeusHasLainWithLeda as I made the joke about people blaming autism.

I hope you get an answer soon though as it sounds really creepy!

I made the comment about people will blame it on dementia, so probably!