My old neighbour was a dick when we took down our fence.
Us - The fense needs replacing. We are going to replace the fence (on our side if the boundary) with a hedge this summer. Just letting you know.
Them - we want a fence, not a hedge.
Us - OK. We are happy to not plant a hedge if you want to replace the fence with a new fense instead.
Them - It's your fence. You need to pay for it.
Us - No. We want a hedge instead. We are replacing the fence with a hedge and will pay for the hedge plants.
Them - We want a fense.
Us - I know. We want a hedge but will tolerate a fense if you sort it out.
Them - The fense on your side of the boundary...?
Us - The one on our side is being taken down. You will need to replace with a fense on your side, because we don't want a fense.
Them...?
Us - You'll need a whole new fense, with posts, all on your side. The whole lot on our side is rotten, leaning. The posts and all panels are coming down.
Them - So you're not replacing it?
Us - Not with a new fense, no. I want a hedge instead.
Them - What about your dog?
Us - I'm putting up a chicken wire on our side while the hedge grows. The hedge will grow through the chicken wire.
Them - That will look rubbish
Us - initially yes. But I think a green hedge is much nicer then a fence in the long run. Also better for wildlife.
Them - Will you go halves on a fence?
Us - No (!!) We. Want. A. Hedge. We are taking the fense down in the summer hols. In just telling you, not asking. I don't want a fense so won't be paying towards one. But if you want a fense I'm not going to fall out about it, but you'd need to pay because its not my preference. Otherwise, we will be paying for a hedge because that's my preference.
They caused such a fuss about it. They seemed to genuinely not understand that we might not want a fense. It's seemed an alien concept to them.
It caused massive tensions.