Bloody snob twat of a neighbour

[TheDevilWearsPrimark]

Has just turned up on my doorstep to complain that our windows make it seem 'the house is full of squatters'. And apparently she has terribly important guests today who would no doubt be horrified to see this. They would probably think she lives in a slum.

Her house doesn't even directly overlook ours it's up a road just across from us. I can see her windows and she's got disgusting curtain swags but I've never really let that bother me before. I might write to the council about an offense on tasteful interior decor.

My crime? I've just been on a weekend away and took my few lovely summer clothes, washed them this morning and have hung them from the blinds/curtain rails in our five front windows so they can dry in the sun (we have no tumble dryer or garden).

I know there are a fair few poncos living around here, but this beggars belief. The worst is I feel I should move them now.

Ask Hyacinth Bucket to dry your washing.

oh she sounds like a right cow, no doubt about it. She lacks basic social graces and a bit of plain common sense. The thing is she could have come over looking all embarrassed about it and said, "look I'm really sorry to ask you this but could you do me a huge favour and not have the washing up in your windows today because the dh's boss is coming around" or whatever it is etc and she would have seemed more human.

As it is she tried to make you feel bad and just got your back up. But now after she asked you, if you don't take the things down, how do you think she is going to behave towards you in the future? It isn't a huge amount of skin of your nose to take them down and you might need her help one day, who knows? So you know for the sake of peace, I would just do it this time.

I wouldnt, frankly she sounds like the type of neighbour who wouldnt help you out anyway, especially now she knows your a northerner! If she is going to let a bit of washing hanging in the window bother her then tbh thats her problem not yours!

Why should she take them down ? Bloody hell, this is inner London, not Frinton-on-Sea! You live near me TDWP I think (if you shop at the O2 centre) and there are far too many people around here like that. I had someone complain that my car was scruffy once!

Ignorant cow. Hope you haven't taken your washing down. Have you got any choice pieces of undies to stick up as well?

Maybe a few 'pot' plants for the front

The people opposite put clothes in their window, I hate it but would never knock on the door and tell them that I think it looks really bad as that is my opinion and its their house and windows and their choice to have it looking how they want.

I may well do things to my house that they don't like but would not want to be told - your ornament looks really tacky in the front window - probably does but hay ho

I rarely do it, I just have few nice summer clothes, and even need one dress in particular dry before I can go out today (unless I go out in jeans, melt).

I am surprised it bothers you. Can I ask why?

Spicemonster, yes, it's an odd area isn't it, a huge mix of fairly poor, and insanely rich.

Not that that has anything to do with this issue.

After the 'house is full of squatters' I really wish my eclectic bunch of friends could come round, crank up the music and show her what a house full of squatters would really look like.

Ooh and we could call the police on ourselves, just as her guests arrive!

I dont know really, just one of those things - sorry

I would hang all my rude lingerie in the window

or go and buy some just fo rthe purpose

perhaps a gimp suit

Perhaps you should tell her that its a habit you picked up when living in Paris...

This is hilarious!What kind of washing is it? tops.
Why not swap them for lots of kinky underwear and socks and hang that in the window.
Should get her visitors talking!
How dare she complain about what you do in your own house.
Oh yes and get some really loud music going as soon as they arrive.
Wish i had someone like that around my area, i would have so much fun as my sister in law knows lots of Hells Angel bikers, we could invite them round for a BBQ...lol

They are still there.

It's so annoyingly uptight here. We have to have commities to decide what colour we paint our facades and are not allowed to have bins visible from the street. Suits my DH, but not what I'm used to.

What you need is a couple of discarded shopping trolleys and a pile of old tyres burning nicely out the front.
Hasn't the old bint ever heard of "shabby chic"? Damien Hirst would probably offer you a fortune for your windows.

lol,your not alone. I am guiltly of the window hanging sinario too! Not at the front but on the curtain pole of my patio door at the back. Everyone can see it all though as my front window is opersite it, so people look right through, if you know what I mean.

It's a lovely georgian terrace, we are on the top two floors, neighbours on bottom two. Our next door neighour is an old lady with yellowing net curtains in every window. I hope she doesn't get complaints!

I actually feel sorry for her that something like bothers her. Who on earth is coming and what makes her thinks they would be looking in your window?

Know what? My neighbours, across the road, have got clothes hanging up in the window, in the sun. I would not dream of asking them to take them down. I am rather confused by this woman's attitude. I am not advocating neighbourly war, but I would NOT take them down if in your situation.

Ransack your wardrobe for things too tatty to be worn and hang them up too.

can you find someone to very quickly deposit a car (preferably without wheels) in your front garden? If you don't have a front garden, it will work almost as well on the road in front of your house... or even better, in front of her house

I understood it was terribly middle class to hang ones washing up outside these days

I'm presuming you dont take in washing as a business ?